WHAT IS CYCLOSPORA? A QUICK, NO-NONSENSE BREAKDOWN

OKLAHOMA — Ok, right now there's a lot of talk about the Cyclospora parasite and the number of cases increasing throughout Oklahoma. And yes, it's a very scary word but don't let that make you panic. So, we are going to go over it with you all and break it down without any fear mongering.

So, let’s start with what Cyclospora is. Cyclospora is a teeny tiny parasite that causes an infection in the intestines. As of right now, we could not find anything to confirm that it is being spread person-to-person, so that's a relief. And the way you can contract this parasite is by eating contaminated produce or drinking contaminated water. It commonly is known to cause what many are referring to right now as “explosive diarrhea.” And according to the CDC, symptoms typically appear about a week after contracting it, and without any treatment, they can last for a few weeks.

But the good news is there seems to be effective treatments out there from what we've read on the CDC's website. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics and lots of fluids. This parasite is not particularly dangerous, but what is dangerous is the risk of dehydration that comes with it.

So, there you have it. No fear mongering, just the raw truth. It doesn’t sound as scary when you break it down like that.

Y'all knowledge is power. It's good that we all stay informed, don't panic, and if you suspect you might have contracted Cyclospora, don't wait until it gets worse and seek medical treatment immediately.

Source: CDC