cryptosporidiosis

noun

cryp·​to·​spo·​rid·​i·​o·​sis ˌkrip-tō-spȯr-ˌi-dē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce cryptosporidiosis (audio)
plural cryptosporidioses ˌkrip-tō-spȯr-ˌi-dē-ˈō-ˌsēz How to pronounce cryptosporidiosis (audio)
: infection with or disease caused by cryptosporidia

Examples of cryptosporidiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The crypto parasite causes cryptosporidiosis, a watery diarrhea that can persist for up to three weeks. — Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 The disease, known as cryptosporidiosis, causes a watery diarrhea with abdominal cramps and nausea tossed in as a bonus. — Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2014 Following these precautions can reduce both your own risk of contracting cryptosporidiosis and help prevent the spread of the disease to others. — Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, 1 July 2019 Though, it has more recently been used to treat cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic infection that is a common cause of death in children under five in low- and middle-income countries. — Paul McClure 13, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025 For example, places where mice and rats are the most abundant scavengers are more vulnerable to outbreaks of illnesses like the bacterial disease leptospirosis and the diarrhea-causing cryptosporidiosis. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025 Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis usually start to occur within about two to 10 days after acquiring the infection, according to the CDC. — oregonlive.com, 1 July 2019 According to the Cleveland Clinic, cryptosporidiosis is most commonly seen in children aged between 1 and 4, and the most common symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

cryptosporidium + -osis

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cryptosporidiosis was in 1971

Rhymes for cryptosporidiosis

See All Rhymes for cryptosporidiosis

Browse Nearby Words

Cryptosiphonia
cryptosporidiosis
cryptosporidium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cryptosporidiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptosporidiosis. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

cryptosporidiosis

noun
cryp·​to·​spo·​rid·​i·​o·​sis ˌkrip-tō-spȯr-ˌid-ē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce cryptosporidiosis (audio)
plural cryptosporidioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce cryptosporidiosis (audio)
: infection with or disease caused by cryptosporidia

More from Merriam-Webster on cryptosporidiosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cryptosporidiosis

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