Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!usc!ucla-cs!Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org
From: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Info on CRYPTO-SPORIDIUM
Message-ID: <29361@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 20 Nov 89 19:48:12 GMT
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Organization: FidoNet node 1:135/38 - C-Board, Miami FL
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Approved: aids@cs.ucla.edu
Archive-number: 1496

>A relative of mine with AIDS suffers from a parasite/bacterium
>called CRYPTO-SPORIDIUM.
>We would welcome all info and possible treatments to fight/oppose
>this bacterium.

I have some information from a "Health Source" prepared by Health Crisis  
Network, Inc. :

Cryptosporidium entercolitis is an intestinal infection caused by a protozoan  
that was frequently found in farm animals, but rarely in humans, until about  
ten years ago. The symptoms are cramping abdominal pain and chronic, profuse,  
watery diareah.....In people with AIDS, the diarreah is persistent and may  
recur frequently. In 65% of AIDS cases, the diarreah may last 4 months or  
longer. The disease may be very debillitating with two to ten bowel movements a  
day, measuring a loss of several gallons of stool.

Cryptosporidium enters the body through the mouth, is swallowed , and lodges in  
the intestines. It is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with feces from  
infected people or animals.

A stool sample is usually used to diagnose Crypto....Drugs for treatment are  
largely ineffective. Spiramycin, an antibiotic, has been effective in about 25%  
of people with AIDS with Crypto... but the infection generally recurs. Most  
medical treatment is aimed at replacing fluids lost through diarreah, as well  
as controlling abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and appetite loss.

THE FOLLOWING STEPS MAY HELP CONTROL DIARREAH:

.Discontinue foods that may aggravate diarreah;

.Antidiarrheal drugs such as Kaopectate, Lomotil, Immodium,
paregoric, etc., taken after each bowel movement, may reduce diarreah;

.Consider using incontinence pads...and a bedside commode.

The side effects of Spiramycin include itchy skin rash, gastrointestinal  
irritation (cramps, upset stomach, nausea, etc.)

 20 36 38 933 151/100 1000 1003 157/200 202/601 203/1

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