If your child has had watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue that just will not quit over the past few weeks, it is worth knowing that a stomach parasite called cyclospora is circulating nationally right now — and cases have been confirmed in Northern Virginia.

This is not a reason to panic. Most healthy kids recover fully. But cyclospora behaves differently from a typical stomach bug, and knowing what to look for can help you get your child the right care faster.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. It is not a virus or bacteria — it is a parasite, which is part of why it behaves differently from the stomach bugs most parents are used to.

It is typically spread through contaminated fresh produce or water. The current national outbreak has investigators looking at lettuce and salad greens as a possible source, though no single food has been officially confirmed yet.

Importantly, cyclospora is not spread directly from person to person the way a cold or stomach virus is. You cannot catch it from your child touching another child. It comes from contaminated food or water.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA CONTEXT As of mid-July 2026, four cases have been confirmed in Northern Virginia. No local outbreak has been declared, but the national case count has surpassed 1,600 confirmed cases across 34 states. Virginia has reported 37 cases statewide in 2026. VDH is monitoring the situation closely.Source: VDH, ARLnow, CDC Health Alert Network — July 2026.

What Are the Symptoms in Kids?

Cyclospora symptoms in children are similar to adults, though younger kids can become dehydrated more quickly. Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure, though the window can be anywhere from 2 to 14 days.

What parents typically notice:

• Watery diarrhea that keeps coming back or lasts longer than expected
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Nausea, sometimes with vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and low energy that seems out of proportion to other symptoms
• Low-grade fever in some children
• Weight loss in prolonged cases

The symptom that tends to tip parents off that something is different is the duration. A typical stomach bug in kids lasts 24 to 72 hours. Cyclospora can cause symptoms that come and go for weeks if left untreated — sometimes improving briefly and then returning.

How Is It Different From a Regular Stomach Bug?

This is the question most parents end up Googling at some point, so it is worth being direct about it.

A typical viral stomach bug — like norovirus or rotavirus — usually peaks within 24 to 48 hours and resolves within a few days. Kids bounce back quickly. Cyclospora does not follow that pattern.

With cyclospora, symptoms tend to drag on. Diarrhea may ease for a few days and then come back. Fatigue can linger even when the stomach symptoms are not at their worst. If your child has had recurring or unusually prolonged stomach symptoms over the past few weeks, it is worth mentioning to their doctor — especially if they have eaten fresh produce like salad greens or herbs recently.

Can It Be Treated?

Yes. Cyclospora is treated with an antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly known as TMP-SMX or by brand names like Bactrim or Septra. A standard course is 7 to 10 days for children over 2 months of age.

The important thing is that it requires a specific diagnosis first. Cyclospora will not show up on a standard stool test — the lab has to specifically test for it. This means if you take your child in and the provider does not know to order a cyclospora-specific test, it can get missed.

If you are concerned, mention that you have heard about the cyclospora outbreak when you come in. That will help us make sure the right test gets ordered.

When Should You Bring Your Child In?

Not every case of diarrhea needs a doctor visit. But with cyclospora circulating right now, here are the situations where it is worth coming in:

• Diarrhea or stomach symptoms that have lasted more than a week
• Symptoms that seemed to get better and then came back
• Signs of dehydration — dry mouth, no tears when crying, dark urine, or significantly fewer wet diapers in younger children
• Your child seems unusually tired or is not eating for several days
• They have eaten fresh salad greens, herbs, or produce in the past two weeks and developed stomach symptoms
• You are just not sure and want a straight answer

We would rather see your child and reassure you than have a cyclospora infection go undiagnosed for weeks. It is a straightforward test once you know to ask for it.

COME IN IF YOU ARE CONCERNED KidsWatch is open Monday through Friday until 10pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm. Walk-ins are always welcome. If you mention the cyclospora outbreak when you come in, we will make sure the right testing gets ordered.

How to Reduce the Risk Right Now

Since the current outbreak is linked to fresh produce, here are the practical steps worth taking with your family right now:

• Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under running water before serving, even if it is pre-washed or bagged
• Cook produce when possible — heat kills the parasite
• Be cautious with fresh herbs like cilantro and basil, which have been linked to past cyclospora outbreaks
• If your child has symptoms, keep them home from school or camp to be safe and consult their provider

Standard hand washing and sanitizing surfaces do not reliably kill cyclospora, which is why produce washing and cooking are the most important steps.

For Northern Virginia Families

Cyclospora is circulating nationally and cases have been confirmed locally. If your child has had an unusually prolonged or recurring stomach illness in the past few weeks, it is worth getting checked out — especially if they have had fresh salad greens or produce recently.

It is treatable. It just needs to be diagnosed first. Come in, mention the outbreak, and we will take it from there.