Dr. Todd Chassee says cyclosporriasis cases can be missed with routine testing. A provider must order a specific test for the Cyclospora parasite.
“As an emergency physician, not a test that I had ever ordered in my career.”
The medical director is now seeing cyclosporriasis firsthand at RightCare Clinic in Grand Rapids.
“I think that story typifies a lot of what we're seeing. It's someone who had a battery of tests that we would normally run when they're having prolonged symptoms. It still wasn't resolving. And so, we sent off the additional testing at that point for cyclosporiasis, which came back positive.
While Chassee says most patients recover without medical intervention, he urges patients with sudden, severe diarrhea lasting more than two days to see their doctors.
“If we do diagnose this, we're going to treat you with a course of antibiotics. That's important to both stop the symptoms you're having and prevent any of the secondary complications that you can have from prolonged illness. So, if it is identified, it is something that is very treatable.”
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