Young girl having stomach pain sitting on her bed at home.

two things to remember:

Wash fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs before eating them. Proper handwashing and rinsing produce under running water are simple ways that can help lower your family’s risk.
Call your pediatrician if your child has watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days. Most stomach bugs get better on their own. But if diarrhea continues, your child’s doctor can help decide if testing is needed.

Have you heard about the Cyclospora outbreak? Public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora, a tiny parasite that can cause diarrhea. While Ohio has reported hundreds of cases this year, Dayton Children’s has seen only a few positive tests. Public health experts are still working to find the source.

Hearing about an outbreak can make any parent worry, especially when it involves food your family eats every day. The good news? Cyclospora is uncommon, it doesn’t spread easily from person to person, and it can be treated.

what is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that infects the intestines and causes diarrhea. People usually get sick after eating contaminated fresh produce. In past outbreaks, foods like lettuce, raspberries, snow peas and fresh herbs – such as basil, cilantro and parsley – have been linked to illness.

what are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Children may also have:

Nausea
Crampy stomach pain
Bloating
Fatigue (sleepy)
Low-grade fever
Decreased appetite

Cyclospora can last longer than a typical stomach virus. Instead of getting better in a few days, symptoms may last several weeks. Sometimes children even seem to feel better, then symptoms come back.

isn’t it probably just a stomach bug?

Maybe.

“There are many different causes of diarrheal illnesses besides Cyclospora,” says Michael Klatte, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Dayton Children’s. “If your child has bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with high-spiking fevers or diarrhea that resolves after a few days, then it’s unlikely your child has a Cyclospora infection.”

That’s why it’s important not to assume every upset stomach is caused by the current outbreak.

how does Cyclospora spread?

Unlike other viruses that spread easily from person to person, Cyclospora usually doesn’t. The parasite is passed in poop (stool), but it needs time to mature in the environment before it can infect someone else. Because of this, passing it from person to person is unlikely.

Instead, most people get Cyclospora after eating contaminated food.

how can I protect my child

While investigators keep working to find the source of the current outbreak, good food safety habits are the best way to protect your family. Dr. Klatte recommends;

Wash your hands with soap and water for 15-20 seconds before and after handling fresh produce.
Rinse fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs well under running water.
Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush before cutting them.

These simple habits can also help protect your family from other foodborne illnesses.

what should I do if I think my child has Cyclospora?

If your child has watery diarrhea that continues for more than a few days, call your pediatrician.

Cyclospora is diagnosed with a stool test and treated with an antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Your pediatrician can help decide whether testing is appropriate based on your child’s symptoms. Children with weakened immune systems, including those receiving cancer treatment or taking medicines that suppress the immune system, may be at greater risk for more severe or longer-lasting illness.

when should I seek medical care right away?

Most children with diarrhea can recover at home with plenty of fluids and rest. But seek medical care right away if your child:

Has signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, crying without tears or not urinating regularly
Cannot keep fluids down
Seems unusually sleepy or difficult to wake

If you’re unsure whether your child needs medical care, your pediatrician is always a good place to start.

the bottom line

Most diarrhea is not caused by Cyclospora. But if your child has watery diarrhea that lasts for weeks instead of days, or you’re concerned they’re becoming dehydrated, don’t wait to ask for help. When it comes to foodborne illnesses, staying informed, practicing good food safety, and knowing when to call your pediatrician can go a long way toward keeping your family healthy.

contact us

If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.

two points to remember:

Get your child vaccinated. It’s the only proven way to prevent getting measles. Ask your pediatrician to talk through the facts with you.
If you suspect your child might have measles, call before you go to the doctor or the hospital. They will have special protocols to help you get the help you need safely.

Have you heard about the measles outbreak?

At the time of this blog, at least 700 people so far have tested positive for the disease across 6 states, including Ohio – 97% of those infected were unvaccinated, and 70% were age 19 or younger.

You might think measles is just a rash and a fever, but it can lead to other serious problems and is very contagious.

“If someone is exposed to measles and isn’t vaccinated, there is a 90% chance they will get infected. If not vaccinated, measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.“

The good news? If you are vaccinated, it is very unlikely you will get the disease even if exposed.

how does measles spread?

Measles spreads quickly through coughing and sneezing and is much more contagious than a cold or the flu.

Measles can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. This means someone can catch measles even without directly being around an infected person!

Because measles spreads so easily, just one infected person can cause an outbreak if people are not vaccinated.

how can I protect my child?

The only proven way to protect your child and the community from measles is by getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is a routine childhood shot given around 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at stopping the disease, but even one dose is 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

I thought measles was eliminated? What happened?

Because the vaccine is so effective, if vaccination rates are high we can eliminate measles all together.

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the US, meaning that there were 0 cases of measles in 12 months. But measles has been coming back as vaccine rates have decreased.

This is why making sure your child gets their measles vaccine is so important.

Getting vaccinated not only protects your child, but it also helps protect others in the community, especially babies who are too young to be vaccinated.

what are the signs and symptoms of measles?

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of measles, especially if you aren’t vaccinated.

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include:

High fever (sometimes over 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots inside the mouth (called Koplik spots)
A red rash that starts on the forehead and spreads down the body

If you notice these symptoms, especially if your child hasn’t been vaccinated, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Treating measles when you first see symptoms can make a big difference. People who are vaccinated are highly unlikely to be infected with measles.

it’s not too late to get vaccinated!

Getting your child vaccinated is the only proven way to prevent getting measles. We know there’s some hesitation in getting vaccines. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective.

If you have questions, reach out to your child’s pediatrician. Share your concerns and talk through the facts together.

Vaccination is a simple step that can save lives.

Tag: infectious diseases

Cyclospora: what parents need to know right now