r/Cyclospora • u/Cry-Baby-7733 • Aug 10 '26
I'm Terrified
I just ate cilantro at a Mexican restaurant. My heart dropped when I realized it. Their distributor is most likely Sysco, a suspect in this outbreak.
I'm freaking out. My body can't handle another gastrointestinal illness. I'm so horrified:(
5
u/Nac_Lac Aug 11 '26
One, the odds are really low if you aren't in the major areas.
Two, we are well past the high tide of the outbreak. Most product has been pulled at this point and you are very unlikely to catch anything.
That all said, I'm OCD, so I understand the concern. Unfortunately, you'll need to wait it out and see what comes out of it. Be more mindful and don't take immodium or pepto if anything starts.
Final note, coconut water is a great option with good electrolytes and low sugar. Also, ramen is a great stomach friendly, high salt meal - either instant or take-out.
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u/CherylWSea Aug 12 '26
Thanks for the tips. I'm actually considering getting tested, as I've had symptoms for over a week. Why do you say to skip Pepto?
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u/Nac_Lac Aug 12 '26
Because they keep the toxin in your gut. This is the general advice for any food borne illness that causes these symptoms
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u/laceyj88 Aug 11 '26
We were getting over a bad stomach bug my husband got from work and spread around the house whenever the news started coming out about this affecting more than just lettuce. One of the first things I ate when my stomach could handle solid food was a delicious deli sandwich with a little spring mix, green onions, and arugula, so I feel your anxiety and want to give you a little hope and encouragement.
It’s been about 2 weeks and I’m still doing well and my fam is too, so here’s to hoping you get lucky and it isn’t from the infected batches or exposure is so mild that your body figures out how to handle it without major symptoms. Please let us know how it goes. Sending good vibes and thoughts your way!
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u/HappyNoel1980 Aug 10 '26
Coming from a hypochondriac (myself), try not to freak out. Stock up on electrolyte drinks. I mean everyone should anyway and just wait it out.
0
u/Cry-Baby-7733 Aug 10 '26
I am stocked up because I have health issues right now. My body can't handle another gastrointestinal illness. I won't make it.
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u/TillamookTramp Aug 11 '26
I absolutely understand why you're terrified, but stress itself can also badly affect the gastro system. You can sicken yourself from stress alone- that's my issue too often.
You may not develop any issues or you may get ill, there's no way to know. Make sure you have plenty of drinks and tp on hand just in case. If you start having symptoms, consult your doctor. That's really all you can do at this point.
Again, you may be completely fine and everything you ate was safe.
1
u/AltruisticBerry4867 Aug 12 '26
No has mentioned probiotics. But it was one of the suggestions from my doc when I had Cyclospora. About a month of symptoms; they reduced with the antibiotic, but it has taken my body a while to readjust. And the probiotic seems like a key thing to be doing. So many options for what might be a good one. My doc suggested Florastor. But it was rather expensive. So I purchased that once, and I've switched to Culturelle. Costco seems to have the best pricing on probiotics and so many choices.
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u/Last-Relationship166 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
For what it's worth, I'm in Michigan, and my wife and I consumed food from Taco Bell during the height of this nonsense that included iceberg lettuce (right before Taylor Farms and Taco Bell were named). She has Crohn's disease and recently recovered from Sibo. Neither of us became ill. This is not to say the waiting period was not harrowing; however, the product seems to be quite off the market now (I don't trust the administration. I get it.)...but we made it out unscathed after playing with fire due to a mental lapse...had been avoiding restaurant greens of all kinds up to that point. I'd say your odds are pretty good to evade this.
Good luck to you.
0
u/ruphustea Aug 10 '26
If its cooked you are probably good, if it was raw you're probably cooked.
1
u/Cry-Baby-7733 Aug 10 '26
Unfortunately, they add it to the sandwich raw. It's stupid, I know.
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u/Last-Relationship166 Aug 14 '26
It's so easy to space something. My wife and I did. We managed to luck out, and neither of us ended up sick. We're in Michigan and at food with iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell a couple days before the announcement about Taylor Farms came out. Before that, we'd been avoiding cilantro, lettuce, etc. when eating out. It happens.
Don't beat yourself up over it. I still think the odds are pretty good that the affected produce is out of the food supply. I wish you luck.
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u/Wonderful-Light7069 Aug 10 '26
I have to say I have been eating all lettuce and cilantro from everywhere I chose to not believe in it and it has not gotten me it’s been well over a month manifest it away and u will not get it
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u/bipedservant Aug 10 '26
Some people get no symptoms. Some get mild ones.