Here's what you need to know about the blueberry recall, Cyclospora, and cyclosporiasis.<\/p>\n
The recalled blueberries were distributed in Illinois, Maine, New York, and Wisconsin, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. So far, no illnesses associated with the recall have been reported, according to Dole.<\/p>\n "Providing safe, nutritious product is a core tenet of the organization that Dole is 100% committed to. If a potential hazard is identified, we will always take the most precautionary measure to ensure safety," William Goldfield, director of corporate communications at Dole Food Company, Inc., tells Health<\/em>.<\/p>\n The company points out that "no other Dole products are included in the recall" and says that "consumers with questions may call the Dole Consumer Center at (800) 356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day."<\/p>\n RELATED: How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables, According to a Nutritionist<\/strong><\/p>\n Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite. When Cyclospora is found in food or water, it means that the product has been contaminated with human feces, according to the US Food and Drug Administration<\/a> (FDA). Contamination could happen if someone preparing or packaging the food is carrying the parasite and doesn't wash their hands after using the bathroom.<\/p>\n If someone eats or drinks an item contaminated with Cyclospora, they could develop cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that infects the small intestine.<\/p>\n After being exposed to Cyclospora, it takes about a week for a person to become sick, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Cordialis Msora-Kasago, RDN, previously told Health<\/a><\/em>. That's one reason the illness can be so hard to diagnose and keep track of. "By the time the symptoms manifest, it can be hard to know what exactly caused it," she says.<\/p>\n Some people infected with <\/em>Cyclospora don't show any symptoms (though asymptomatic people can still contaminate food and pass it to others, according to the FDA). But the most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements," the FDA says. Other common symptoms include:<\/p>\n If you have cyclosporiasis, you might also experience:<\/p>\n These symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times. "You might start to wonder if you're coming down with the flu," says Msora-Kasago. "Or you might feel well today and think it's gone, and then tomorrow the same symptoms come back."<\/p>\n RELATED: 5 Health Benefits of Blueberries, According to a Nutritionist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If you think you've been exposed to the recalled blueberries and have since developed diarrhea, you should see your primary care provider or other physician, Cynthia L. Sears<\/a>, MD, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells Health<\/em>. "They should do so unless they are so ill—such as from dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea, dizziness, or high fever—that they need to go to the emergency department," she says.<\/p>\n Again, cyclosporiasis symptoms can be on and off, "so someone exposed who has diarrhea one day but it seems to go away then comes back should also see their doctor and request testing," Dr. Sears adds.<\/p>\n Seeing a doctor is important not only because the infection can be diagnosed by stool exams, but also because the parasite is treatable with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic combination, according to Dr. Sears.<\/p>\n People usually respond quickly to treatment, per the FDA. If it's not treated, cyclosporiasis may last from a few days to a month or longer. On top of antibiotics, people who have diarrhea should also rest and drink plenty of fluids.<\/p>\n RELATED: Dozens of People Had Explosive Diarrhea After Filming an NBC Show-Here's What That Is and What Causes It<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"What-to-Know-About-the-Dole-Blueberry-Recall-AdobeStock_280008674\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2021%2F06%2F29%2FWhat-to-Know-About-the-Dole-Blueberry-Recall-AdobeStock_280008674-2000.jpg\")
What-to-Know-About-the-Dole-Blueberry-Recall-AdobeStock_280008674<\/span> . <\/p>\nWhat is Cyclospora? <\/h2>\n
What are the symptoms of Cyclospora infection? <\/h2>\n
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When should you seek treatment? <\/h2>\n
Can Cyclospora infection be prevented? <\/h2>\n