A few days ago I suddenly developed an impressive case of laryngitis — utterly painless, but incredibly annoying — which I attributed to a change in my medications (a huge increase in the dosage of the steroid prednisone). And so it might have been.
Then after breakfast this morning (around 4:30 am) I was visited by the unmistakable intestinal symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, crypto for short — notably uncontrollable watery diarrhea, dammit. Some days earlier, when a widespread US outbreak of the infection was reported, I had put great mounds of possibly infected greens down the garbage disposal, but apparently I had already eaten enough of them that the parasite was just lying in wait, gathering in strength to wreck havoc on my guts. Fortunately, I have weapons of my own, and have been able to do a pretty good job of wrestling crypto to some kind of standstill. But let me tell you, it’s no fucking picnic.
It’s incredibly tiring — I’ve had two long naps today — and requires me to consume mass quantities of rehydrating liquid. Meanwhile, it seems likely that my laryngitis is a respiratory symptom of crypto; my breathing is now often uncomfortable (though not disabling).
The devil crypto. From Wikipedia:
Cryptosporidium, sometimes called crypto, is [a] genus of … parasites that can cause a respiratory and gastrointestinal illness (cryptosporidiosis) that primarily involves watery diarrhea (intestinal cryptosporidiosis), sometimes with a persistent cough (respiratory cryptosporidiosis).
Treatment of gastrointestinal infection in humans involves fluid rehydration, electrolyte replacement, and management of any pain. For cryptosporidiosis, supportive treatment and symptom management are the primary treatments for immunocompetent individuals. Anti-diarrheal medication, such as Loperamide [Immodium], may be effective in slowing the rate of diarrhea.
Pepto-Bismol. I had no Immodium on hand, but had an entirely adequate supply of extra-strength Pepto-Bismol with me, and after a couple of shots it had firmed up my feces very satisfactorily (I wish I had a more antic way of presenting these crude observations, which I would prefer to skate over gaily for you; I keep thinking that Calvin Trillin would know how to make this funny as well as informative). From Wikipedia:
Bismuth subsalicylate, sold generically as pink bismuth and under brand names including Pepto-Bismol, Pepti-Calm, and BisBacter, is a medication used to treat temporary discomfort of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. This includes an upset stomach, heartburn, or other similar symptoms.
… Pepto-Bismol was first sold in 1900 by a doctor in New York. It was originally sold as a remedy for infant diarrhea by Norwich Pharmacal Company under the name “Bismosal: Mixture Cholera Infantum”. It was renamed Pepto-Bismol in 1919. Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Procter and Gamble in 1982.
…Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter drug currently produced by the Procter & Gamble company in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Pepto-Bismol is made in chewable tablets and swallowable caplets, but it is best known for its original formula, which is a thick [pink] liquid.
The outbreak. From the Johns Hopkins Medicine site, “Cyclosporiasis outbreak 2026” by Cynthia Louise Sears, MD (updated 7/17/26):
A recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis is affecting parts of the U.S., with cases reported in more than 30 states [AMZ on 8/6: by now, most states]. State and federal agencies are investigating these outbreaks and the source of the illness.
… previous outbreaks were linked to bagged salads, leafy greens, fresh basil, fresh cilantro, raspberries and green onions.
My too-late-discarded salady source had plenty of leafy greens, plus fresh cilantro (of which I am enormously fond), and green onions. So there you go.
These are perilous times.
Meanwhile, I actually got some useful household work done and even blocked out a cartoon posting. Life lurches on.
August 6, 2026 at 10:45 pm |
Sure sounds like cryptosporidiosis, but do you have a laboratory diagnosis?
Are you getting your doctor’s help with the dehydration problems? – I’d sure want mine, at my advanced age of 87, and I AM a doctor!
August 7, 2026 at 5:21 am |
For my purposes, it’s enough to know that I have crypto or something very much like it. The lab diagnosis is famously onerous and hard to evaluate. I have hydration in hand now and otherwise, as I wrote to Emily Rizzo this morning (8/7):