Cyclospora is an infection of the bowel caused by a tiny parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It is usually caught from eating raw fruit and vegetables contaminated with human faeces (poo).
Cyclospora is an infection of the bowel caused by a tiny parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It is usually caught from eating raw fruit and vegetables contaminated with human faeces (poo).
Other symptoms can include:
Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches,
, fever and other .Although these symptoms are often unpleasant, cyclospora doesn't usually pose a serious threat to health and can be easily treated using
.Some people with cyclospora don't have any symptoms. These are usually people who've grown up in a developing country and been previously exposed to the parasite.
People travelling to tropical or subtropical countries may be at increased risk of infection because cyclospora is common in many developing countries.
Most of the cases reported in England and Wales involve people who'vereturned from trips to:
There have been relatively few cases involving people holidaying in Africa.
Cyclospora is caught by consuming food – especially raw berries, herbs and salad items – or water contaminated with human faeces (poo) carrying the parasite.
The parasite lives in the poo. You can't catch cyclospora by coming into contact with an infected person, such as someone who hasn’t washed their hands after going to the toilet. Once in the poo, the parasite takes about 10 days before becoming infectious.
If cyclospora isn't treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return more than once. It's common to feel very tired.
If you think you have cyclospora, you're advised to see your doctor to check your symptoms. Mention your recent travel history.
Cyclospora is treated with a course of antibiotics called co-trimoxazole.
The following hygiene measures will help reduce your risk of catching cyclospora when travelling to affected areas:
For more general advice about avoiding
while on holiday, read food and water abroad.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.