“Dear PoPville,
I unfortunately have finally received a positive Cyclospora test result after weeks of symptoms and have contacted the DC Health Dept to report it. I noticed that there haven’t been reports in DC proper, so I wanted to report here so the DC community knows and can stay safe! People with Cyclospora are not contagious as it doesn’t transmit between person to person. But, people should be careful when purchasing bagged lettuce and salad kits, berries, and fresh herbs as these are the leading contenders for where the outbreak is possible transmitted. Stay safe, and if your symptoms are persisting longer than a week or so insist on getting tested for cyclospora.
I was finally diagnosed after testing and am taking Bactrim (an antibiotic that treats cyclospora) for the next 7-10 days. I think for people allergic to that antibiotic can get another type that also treats it. It took awhile to get diagnosed because at the time I contracted it there wasn’t a lot of guidance out there for healthcare workers, so they thought I had really bad norovirus sans any vomiting. I can’t directly verify where I got it since I likely contracted it weeks ago, but my suspicion is either fresh mint or pre cut and washed store bought lettuce. I can’t recall any restaurants, but I’m steering clear of the current possibly affected produce listed by health departments.”