Symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Body aches
• Headache
• Fever
• Other flu-like symptoms

Symptoms normally begin around 7 days after exposure but can range from 2-14 days.

Symptoms can last for a few days to more than a month if not treated. If left untreated, some people may also experience a cycle of symptoms. In these cases, infected people will feel sick, then feel better for a few days, and then start to feel sick again.

Some infected people do not have any symptoms, particularly people from areas where cyclosporiasis is routinely expected (endemic) particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

Diagnosis

Cyclosporiasis is normally diagnosed through laboratory testing of a poop  sample. Sometimes, diagnosis can be challenging because some patients may not shed enough of the parasite to be detected, even if they are experiencing symptoms. Because of this, your doctor may ask you to submit multiple stool samples.

Health care providers may have to specifically request testing for Cyclospora.

Treatment

Most people with healthy immune systems recover without treatment. A combination of antibiotics containing sulfa are used to treat Cyclospora when needed. Contact your doctor to discuss treatment options.  It is recommended that patients drink plenty of fluids to manage diarrhea and prevent dehydration.

Hand hygiene

• Wash your hands after using the restroom as well as before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables

Food safety

• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and seafood products and the preparation of fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water
• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, or within 2 hours. Store fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

Travel

• Use caution when traveling to countries with tropical and subtropical regions with minimal sanitation systems and water treatment. Try to avoid tap water, water fountains, and fresh produce.

Be sure to speak to a doctor if you believe you have Cyclospora. If you test positive for Cyclospora, your local or state public health department will be reaching out for an interview. The information you provide is extremely valuable to possibly finding what made you sick and preventing others from getting sick. The following groups of people should not return to work or school until approved by the local health department:

• Healthcare workers
• Food handlers such as in restaurants, catering, or cafeterias
• Daycare or school workers
• Children attending daycare or school

If any of these apply to you, then you must meet certain requirements to return to work or school. Once you or your child start having symptoms of the illness, such as diarrhea, do not attend work (specifically for food handlers, healthcare workers, daycare workers) or attend daycare or school until a healthcare provider or someone from your local health department says you are clear to go back. This will help prevent the spread of Cyclospora and keep others from getting sick.