Cryptosporidium & Giardia

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are water-born protozoan cysts. If ingested, the cyst-shell is shed and the organisms infect the intestines, causing illness. Because Cryptosporidium and Giardia are resistant to disinfection agents such as chlorine and ultraviolet light, the organisms are often not removed by municipal water treatment.

Cryptosporidium symptoms, characterized by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headaches and slight fever, may appear 2 to 10 days after a person becomes infected. Symptoms may last one to two weeks in a healthy person with a normal immune system. Young children, older adults or those with weakened immune systems face greater risk of serious illness and Cryptosporidium can be fatal.

Giardia (commonly known as “beaver fever”) is one of the most common causes of diarrhea. Infection is more common among children and may last up to three weeks. Giardia may be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia can be removed by carbon block filters labelled as one micron absolute or less micron (the smaller the better), or those filters labelled as certified by NSF International under NSF standard 53 for cyst removal.

We offer a variety of carbon filters to effectively remove Cryptosporidium and Giardia. From Poly-Pleat™ by Harmsco, FM Pleated Cartridges by Flowmatic, Membrane filtration, and Bag filters by UF Strainrite.