What is Cyclospora and Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclospora is a protozoan pathogen linked clinically to acute, chronic diarrhea. Infection with the parasite is referred to as Cyclosporiasis. It was not until 1977 and 1978 that the first three diagnosed cases of Cyclospora were reported, though at the time they did not know why they had identified – it was not until the next year in 1979, that scientist RW Arthur would identify Cyclospora for what it was, a parasite.[1] At the time he was working as a scientist in Papua New Guinea when he discovered the parasite that was transmitted through feces.[2] He also noted that the oocysts (the organism shed by the infected person) was immature and could not infect others at the time it was infected, as well as how difficult identification of an infected person would be because the unpopulated oocysts looked like fungus spores. To this day, identification of Cyclospora requires a pathogen-specific test.

How does Cyclospora infect victims? What are the symptoms of Cyclosporiasis?

The Cyclospora parasite requires time (days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become contagious to other humans, which makes human to human direct infection difficult.[3] Instead, the parasite contaminates food or water and is then consumed, thereafter with an incubation period of days to weeks it presents with a prolonged illness, often noted by the ebb and flow (recurrence) of acute symptoms for 100 days or more.

According to the CDC, “the period between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually around 1 week. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, gut cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and tiredness. Vomiting, body aches, fever, headache, and other flu-like symptoms might be noted. Some men and women that are infected with Cyclospora don’t have any signs.” Symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low Fever

Treatment of Cyclospora

Cyclospora is not a bacteria, but in 1995 while conducting research in Nepal, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial researchers found that TMP-SMZ was effective in treating the illness [4] – TMP-SMZ is highly effective in cutting the disease short. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to sulfa-based antibiotics and must rely on largely inefficient and ineffective secondary protocols.

Cyclospora Food Poisoning Lawyers

Cyclospora is a pathogen that causes foodborne intestinal infections. People get infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. It affects those living or traveling in developing countries where sanitation is poor.

The US has been experiencing multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis from imported fresh produce. Contact an attorney about your rights if you have been exposed to the Cyclospora parasite. A Cyclospora food poisoning lawyer can get you compensation through a lawsuit or a claim for food poisoning.

What is a Cyclospora Lawyer?

Cyclospora lawyers take care of the lawsuit for the victims suffering from cyclosporiasis. If you are diagnosed with cyclosporiasis after consuming contaminated food or water, consult a food poisoning attorney in personal injury law and safeguard your interests.

What does a Cyclospora Attorney Do?

A Cyclospora lawyer assists the victims with their legal rights. They help make informed claim decisions, help find the cause of the illness, and collect evidence for the claim, including medical records and receipts.

Why Should You Hire a Cyclospora Attorney?

It is important to hire a Cyclospora food poisoning lawyer to navigate the complex legal process because taking on large and powerful entities like pharmaceutical companies or good manufacturing companies without legal support is challenging.

How Much Does a Cyclospora Lawyer Cost?

The cost a Cyclospora lawyer charges depends on multiple factors. Ensure to know about the charges and process to pay their fee before signing a contract. This enables us to anticipate the additional costs. A good lawyer outlines the cost of representation before you hire them. So this can avoid any conflict between you and your lawyer.

The total cost is usually a percentage of any settlement or award won in the case.

What Should You Look for In a Cyclospora Attorney?

Consider the following points before hiring a Cyclospora food poisoning lawyer:

• Experience
• Number of cases handled
• Accessibility and communication
• Fees
• Any additional cost.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Cyclospora Poisoning?

If you or someone you know has eaten a Cyclospora-contaminated food or water and started showing symptoms, you should immediately seek medical care. If the doctor suspects that the patient has contracted this illness they will order tests in order to confirm it.

After proving that you are dealing with Cyclospora poisoning, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in this kind of disease to make sure your case is taken seriously and will be handled with care.

Types of Claims Cyclospora Lawyers Handle:

There are many types of claims that a Cyclospora lawyer can handle. Each case is unique and different, depending on the individual circumstances surrounding the injury or illness. There are generally three basic types of claims:

Negligence claims

In which the injury is due to unsanitary conditions and food handling. A negligent claim can be filed by anyone who was exposed to a contaminated product and became sick as a result of it. The focus of this type of claim is on the dangerous nature of the product and how well any warnings or instructions were provided. Each party may be named, including the manufacturer, supplier, retailer and whoever else provided services related to serving or selling the product.

For this type of claim, it is important to have proof that the injury was directly caused by consuming cyclospora contaminated food or water.

If you file a negligence claim, damages are typically based on the economic loss involved that is the medical expenses and time off work relating to the illness.

Product liability claims

Can be filed by anyone who was using the product as it is intended to be used when the injury or illness occurred. Product liability claims are used when a product has been found to be defective in some way, causing injury because of it.

Strict product liability means that you only have to show that the product was defective, it doesn’t matter how or why.

Breach of Warranty claims

In which the injury is due to the negligent design or failure to warn about known risks. A breach of warranty occurs when a company does not meet the standards and expectations implied by its own terms and conditions. Most states also impose a minimum standard of behavior which is generally called ‘implied warranty’.

What expenses can legal compensation cover?

There are many expenses that derive from a foodborne infection. Some of these are medical expenses that can be covered by legal compensation. Medical bills lost wages, and pain and suffering are just some of the expenses that may derive from an injury or death. A cyclospora lawyer will know what expenses to include in a claim in order to ensure maximum compensation.

When should you file a Cyclospora claim?

Filing a claim soon after the injury is the first crucial step in recovering compensation. An experienced lawyer will ensure that a time limit is not running out on your case and a claim can be filed before it expires. This limits complications regarding the statute of limitations being over so that you have enough time to recover from your injuries or loss. Most claims must be filed within two years under most circumstances but vary depending on the state in which you are in.

How can a Cyclospora Attorney help preserve my legal rights?

Individuals with symptoms linked to Cyclospora should contact their healthcare provider for treatment immediately. In many of the recent cases of a large Cyclospora outbreak, the victims have found out their likely diagnosis on television before they presented for a Cyclospora test. Many had been in and out of their physician’s offices without satisfaction, often with negative stool cultures leaving both the victim and the medical professional wondering about the etiology of the disease. But in several recent outbreaks, such as the recent Del Monte vegetable tray outbreak, the McDonald’s Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad outbreak, and the previous Olive Garden/Red Lobster salad outbreak, news coverage put many victims on notice and they presented to their physicians’ offices for testing.

Many of the victims were sick for weeks or months prior to finding out they had Cyclospora. Many were extremely worried given the severity of their illness, the attendant weight loss, with thoughts this could be cancer or another terminal illness.

If you or somebody you know has positively tested for Cyclospora. Contact Ron Simon & Associates for help with your Cyclospora lawsuit or assistance during a Cyclospora Outbreak toll free at 1-888.220.8941.

National Cyclospora Law Firm

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