Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. In some cases, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in infectious diseases or a doctor who specializes in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenterologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when the began
• Key personal information, including recent travel, especially to other countries or to large recreational swimming areas or water parks
• All medications, vitamins and and other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

For cryptosporidiosis, basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes?
• What tests do I need?
• What treatments do you recommend?
• Are there dietary restrictions I need to follow?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• How severe are your symptoms?
• Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
• Does anything make your symptoms worse?
• Have you been swimming recently?
• Have you traveled out of the country recently?

What you can do in the meantime

While you're waiting to see your doctor, drink plenty of fluids.