Cryptosporidiosis
Reviewed: March 2023
Cryptosporidiosis, commonly known as Crypto, is caused by a tiny parasite called Cryptosporidium and gives an infected person diarrhea (loose stool/poop). The parasite lives in the gut of infected animals and people and spreads to others through drinking contaminated water, swimming or going into contaminated recreational water sources (i.e. pools, waterparks, lakes), eating contaminated food, or contact with infected animals. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of waterborne disease in the United States.
