Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by single-celled parasites called Cryptosporidium. The infection is spread by contact with infected people or animals, or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by infected human or animal feces. The disease causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks, and most otherwise healthy people make a full recovery without treatment.
However, in people with impaired immunity, such as those with AIDS, the infection may be more severe and require hospitalization.