cryptosporidiosis

The cryptosporidiosis - A type of diarrhoeal infection caused by protozoa, which may be spread from person to person or be transmitted from domestic animals to people.

The disease causes watery diarrhoea and sometimes fever and abdominal pain. It is most common in children but also occurs in people with AIDS. In most cases, rehydration therapy is the only treatment needed.

In people whose immune system is suppressed, however, the infection may be much more severe. Such people may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment with intravenous fluids and antidiarrhoeal drugs.