Quick Answer: While the recent outbreak has received a lot of attention, most healthy children who have the illness recover completely, even without treatment. The biggest concern is dehydration from prolonged diarrhea.
With Cyclospora in the news, many parents are naturally concerned about food safety. Should we eliminate certain foods? Wash all produce? We have answers to the most frequently asked questions to help families stay informed.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora cayetanensis, or Cyclospora for short, is a microscopic parasite. It causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection that leads to explosive, watery diarrhea. Kids usually get sick after eating fresh produce or drinking water contaminated with the parasite.
In the news: As of July 20, 2026, Michigan has reported 6,148 cases and Ohio over 2,000. While we see Cyclospora cases every year, this is higher than usual. The FDA is currently investigating an outbreak linked to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain restaurants.
Should parents be concerned?
Most healthy children who get vomiting or diarrhea during the summer likely have other common summer germs like norovirus. Fortunately, even children who get cyclosporiasis recover completely even without treatment. The biggest concern is dehydration from prolonged diarrhea. This is especially true for younger children and those with underlying medical conditions like cancer, organ transplants or immune disorders.
Symptoms usually start about one week after eating contaminated food. However, signs can appear as early as two days or as late as two weeks. Not every child who encounters the parasite gets sick. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others experience mild to severe illnesses. Symptoms can include:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea (most common)
- Nausea and bloating
- Excessive gas
- Severe fatigue or low energy
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Headache, muscle aches or low-grade fever
How can you tell the difference between a typical stomach bug (like norovirus) and a Cyclospora infection?
Most stomach bugs are caused by a virus or bacteria. They usually get better on their own within a few days.
In contrast, Cyclospora infections often cause diarrhea that lasts for weeks if left untreated. It’s also common for symptoms to come and go. Meaning, a child may seem better for a few days and then the symptoms return.
When should kids see a doctor?
The following are reasons to contact your child’s doctor:
- Diarrhea lasting longer than several days
- Symptoms that keep coming back
- Signs of dehydration
- Significant weight loss
- Bloody stools
- High fever
- Severe stomach pain
Good to know: Doctors can order a stool test for Cyclospora. Since the parasite can be difficult to detect, the lab may need more than one stool sample collected on different days to diagnose it.
Is Cyclospora contagious?
Cyclospora is not spread from person to person. The parasite is passed in the stool, but it must spend about 1-2 weeks in the environment before it can infect someone else. Your child cannot catch it from close contact with a friend or sibling. It almost always comes from contaminated food or water.
A note about swimming pools: If your child has Cyclospora, we recommend waiting two weeks after diarrhea stops before going back to a public pool, splashpad or other shared water space. Cyclospora has a hard outer shell that makes it resistant to chlorine.
How is Cyclospora treated?
While the infection can go away on its own, children with long-lasting symptoms are treated with an antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), which is typically taken for 7–10 days. Most kids tolerate this medicine well. Always tell your pediatrician if your child has had an allergic reaction to sulfa medications.
Treating dehydration: Encourage kids to drink plenty of fluids! Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications should not be given to young children unless recommended by your doctor.
How can families prevent Cyclospora?
We recommend washing fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that this can decrease the risk of Cyclospora infection but not eliminate it. The best way to kill the parasite is by cooking food.
Follow these safe food handling steps:
- Wash hands: Clean hands with soap and water before preparing food and after using the bathroom.
- Rinse thoroughly: Wash all fresh produce under running water, even if the package says “pre-washed” or “ready to eat.”
- Scrub firm items: Use a clean produce brush on firm produce like melons and cucumbers.
- Cut away damage: Remove bruised areas before eating.
- Peel when possible: Discard outer leaves or skin to lower the risk.
- Refrigerate quickly: Store cut, peeled or cooked produce as soon as possible in the fridge.
Don’t Stop Eating Produce: Pediatricians do not recommend eliminating fresh fruits and vegetables from kids’ diets. These whole foods are sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals that are important for kids’ growth and overall health. If you’re worried about the best fit for your family’s needs, talk to your pediatrician.
To learn more about Infectious Diseases at Cincinnati Children’s, or to schedule an appointment, please call 513-636-4578.
