Updated

Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 13

Doctors Urge ORS Like Pedialyte for Severe Diarrhea as U.S. Cyclosporiasis Cases Rise

Updated

Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 13

Doctors Urge ORS Like Pedialyte for Severe Diarrhea as U.S. Cyclosporiasis Cases Rise

Q: Why can sports drinks worsen the dangerous diarrhea from this outbreak, and what is the doctor-approved alternative?

Sports drinks can make cyclosporiasis-related diarrhea worse because they usually contain too much sugar and not enough sodium for someone losing fluids through persistent watery diarrhea. Doctors say that high sugar levels can pull more water into the intestines, which can intensify diarrhea and worsen dehydration. Sports drinks are formulated for sweating during exercise, not for gastrointestinal illness. The doctor-approved alternative is an oral rehydration solution, or ORS. Experts and the CDC recommend products such as Pedialyte, CeraLyte, Oralyte, Naturalyte, DripDrop, and store-brand equivalents. These solutions are made with the right balance of water, sodium, potassium, and glucose to help the gut absorb fluids efficiently even during active diarrhea. That balance matters. Gastroenterologists note that ORS works because the sodium and glucose are matched in a way that improves water absorption in the intestine, something sports drinks are not designed to do. Plain water alone is also not ideal in prolonged diarrhea because it does not replace lost electrolytes. If commercial ORS is not available, a WHO-style homemade backup is 1 liter of clean water mixed with 6 level teaspoons of sugar and ½ level teaspoon of salt. People with severe or persistent diarrhea, dizziness, confusion, very low urination, or inability to keep fluids down should seek medical care promptly.

Q: With the outbreak’s food source still a mystery, how can you truly make your fresh produce safe to eat?

You cannot fully “wash away” Cyclospora from fresh produce; the most reliable way to make produce safe is to cook it. Experts say the parasite’s sticky oocysts can resist plain water, produce washes, and many sanitizers, while heat of about 158°F (70°C) kills it. If you plan to eat produce raw, reduce risk rather than assume it is fully safe. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water, scrub firm items like melons, potatoes, and carrots with a clean brush, separate leafy greens and herbs as you wash them, and peel produce when possible. Rewash bagged or prewashed items if you choose to use them, and consider buying whole heads of lettuce instead of cut salad mixes, removing the outer leaves. Some items are harder to clean well and have been linked to past Cyclospora outbreaks, including cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and salad mixes. During an outbreak with an unknown source, those are safer cooked than eaten raw. Good kitchen hygiene also matters: wash hands with soap and water, keep cutting boards and knives clean, and avoid cross-contamination between raw produce and ready-to-eat foods. Safe water is important for washing produce, but clean water alone does not guarantee the parasite is removed. The practical rule is simple: wash everything, peel what you can, choose whole produce over pre-cut, and cook produce whenever possible—especially for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 13

Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, CeraLyte and Oralyte are the top doctor-recommended drinks for severe diarrhea as Cyclosporiasis cases climb across the U.S.
CDC-backed ORS formulas replace the sodium, glucose and fluids lost in frequent watery diarrhea, making them more effective for dehydration than standard drinks.
Sports drinks are a weaker option because they typically contain more sugar and less sodium—an imbalance doctors say can worsen diarrhea and dehydration.
Cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection spread through contaminated food or water, can cause watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea and fatigue that may last for weeks.
Doctors say people with persistent or worsening diarrhea should seek medical care, while prevention centers on washing produce, using safe water and good hand hygiene.