Prevention

Cryptosporidium infection is contagious, so take precautions to avoid spreading the parasite to other people. There's no vaccine to prevent a cryptosporidium infection.

To help prevent cryptosporidium infection:

• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after using the toilet and changing diapers, and before and after eating. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don't kill the germs that cause cryptosporidium infection.
• Thoroughly wash with uncontaminated water all fruits and vegetables that you will eat raw, and avoid eating food you suspect could be contaminated. If you're traveling in a developing country, avoid uncooked foods.

• Purify drinking water if you have a weakened immune system or are traveling in an area with a high risk of infection. Methods include boiling — at least one minute at a rolling boil — or filtering, although filtering might not be as effective as boiling.

  Be sure to use a filter that meets the NSF International standard 53 or 58 requirements for cyst and oocyst reduction. You'll need a separate water filter for bacteria and viruses.

• Avoid fecal exposure during sexual activity.

Always avoid swimming when you have diarrhea. If you know you've had a cryptosporidium infection, don't go swimming for at least two weeks after your symptoms go away because you can still be contagious.