lenny@relay.EU.net (leendert hoejenbos) (11/16/89)
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. Is there anyone who has any up to date info ?? N.B. Please send any replies via mail and I will summarize them to the NETWORK.
Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) (11/21/89)
>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 -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!noao!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!Wounded.Bird Internet: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org