Description
Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, which infects the intestine. this germ can infect humans and a variety of animals, including cattle, dogs and cats. the disease is usually not serious in people with normal immune systems, but people with weakened immune systems (e.g. some people receiving cancer treatments, people on steroid therapy, and people with human immunodeficiency virus—hiV) may develop severe and long-lasting illness.
the disease tends to be more common during the warmer months and is sometimes associated with swimming pools that have been contaminated by a person with the infection. Symptoms include vomiting; loss of appetite; stomach pain; and foul-smelling, watery diarrhoea, which may contain mucus. however, the infected person often has no symptoms at all. Cryptosporidiosis is identified by laboratory examination of a faecal specimen.
How does it spread?
the infection spreads when:
• infected people do not wash their hands effectively after going to the toilet; contaminated hands can then contaminate food (which may be eaten by other people), or touch surfaces that may be touched by other people
• people handle infected animals or change the nappy of an infected child and do not wash their hands effectively
• people drink contaminated water (including swallowing contaminated water from swimming pools) or unpasteurised milk
• people use swimming pools while they have diarrhoea from this infection, or for up to 14 days after the symptoms have stopped.
Incubation period
the incubation period is uncertain, but usually around 7 days, with a range of 1–12 days.
Infectious period
People with cryptosporidiosis are infectious as soon as they develop symptoms, and for up to several weeks after symptoms disappear (usually 2–4 weeks).
Exclusion period
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Responsibilities of educators and other staff
• Advise the parent to keep the child home until the child is feeling well and has not had any symptoms for at least 24 hours.
• Make sure staff and children always practise effective hand hygiene.
• educators and other staff who handle food must not return to work until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.
• ensure that appropriate cleaning practices are being followed in the education and care service. • Contact your local health authority if two or more people are ill. Public health workers may be able to
identify how the germ has spread through the education and care service, and help prevent further infection. they may also advise if any particular cleaning or disinfecting is required.
Responsibilities of parents
• Keep the child at home until they are feeling well and have had no symptoms for at least 24 hours. • encourage effective hand hygiene at home.
Controlling the spread of infection
• ensure that adults or children who are ill are excluded for the appropriate period. • ensure that staff and children always practise appropriate hand hygiene.
• ensure that people with cryptosporidiosis do not go swimming while they have diarrhoea and for 2 weeks after diarrhoea stops—they can shed the germs into the water.
• ensure that adults and children practise effective hand hygiene after touching pets and farm animals.
Treatment
no treatment is available for cryptosporidiosis, but all children with diarrhoea should see a doctor. Make sure that a child with diarrhoea has plenty to drink.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Description
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common type of herpesvirus. in Australia, about 50% of young adults have been infected. once a person is infected, they can carry the virus for the rest of their lives, even if they do not have any symptoms. Sometimes the virus can be reactivated, usually when the person has another illness or is stressed, and may then cause symptoms.
healthy children and adults do not usually develop symptoms when they are infected, but some may show symptoms that are similar to glandular fever (e.g. tiredness, sore throat, swollen glands and fever). in certain people, such as transplant patients and pregnant women, the effects can be much more serious. infection of a baby before birth can cause serious birth defects. this risk is higher during the first half of the pregnancy. CMV infection occurs in 1% or less of pregnancies and, of these cases, less than 10% of infants are likely to have severe illness.
How does it spread?
humans are the only source of CMV. the virus is found in urine, saliva, breast milk, vaginal secretions and semen. People can shed the virus in body fluids for months to years after first being infected, without having any detectable symptoms.
Incubation period
the incubation period is uncertain, but most likely 3–12 weeks.
Infectious period
People with CMV can be infectious for months to years after their initial infection, because they can keep shedding the virus in their urine or saliva.
Exclusion period
exclusion is not necessary.
Responsibilities of educators and other staff
• ensure that staff wear disposable gloves for activities involving contact with urine, such as changing nappies.
• Make sure staff and children practise effective hand hygiene, especially after handling articles contaminated with urine or saliva, and after changing nappies.
• Where practicable, relocate pregnant women to work with older children to reduce their contact with urine and saliva.
• inform staff who are pregnant or considering pregnancy about CMV risks and how to protect against infection.
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Responsibilities of parents
• ensure effective hand hygiene at home, especially after handling articles contaminated with urine or saliva, and after changing nappies.
Controlling the spread of infection
• ensure that staff and children always practise appropriate hand hygiene.
• Pregnant women or women considering pregnancy who work with young children should pay particular attention to good hand hygiene after contact with body secretions, especially after changing nappies or assisting in toilet care.
Treatment
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