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The cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has been running since mid-June, and at this point most people have read a headline or two. What we keep hearing, though, are the same practical questions — from readers who are sick now, were sick last month, or are caring for someone who still can't get off the toilet. Here are straight answers, based on what the CDC and FDA have published so far.
As of the CDC's August 13 update, there were 9,481 reported illnesses across 17 states, with at least 398 hospitalizations and two deaths. The outbreak traces back to iceberg lettuce processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico, served at Taco Bell locations and sold as Marketside salads at Walmart. The recalled product was pulled on July 17 and is past its best-by dates, so it should no longer be on shelves — but the CDC hasn't declared the outbreak over, and illness onsets were still being reported into early August. You can follow the official numbers on the CDC's investigation page and the FDA's outbreak page.
You can't know from symptoms alone — and that's the honest answer. Cyclosporiasis tends to cause watery diarrhea that drags on for days to weeks, often with fatigue, cramping, loss of appetite, and weight loss. But the only way to confirm it is a stool test that specifically looks for Cyclospora. Standard stool cultures don't catch it, so you have to see a doctor and they usually have to order the right test. If your diarrhea has lasted more than three days, or you ate iceberg lettuce from the recalled lots earlier this summer, call your doctor and mention cyclospora by name.
Sometimes symptoms fade — and then come back. Cyclospora is known for a relapsing pattern where you feel better for a few days, then the diarrhea returns. Untreated illness can cycle like this for a month or longer. The good news is there's an effective prescription antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the standard). This is not something to tough out with over-the-counter remedies alone. If you suspect cyclosporiasis, see a doctor — it requires a stool test to diagnose and prescription antibiotics to treat properly.
This is the question that lands people on our site. Prolonged diarrhea is one of the most reliable ways to trigger a hemorrhoid flare-up: constant urgency and straining put pressure on the veins around the anus, frequent stools and wiping irritate the skin raw, and the acidic, loose output inflames tissue that never gets a chance to recover. Ten or fifteen bathroom trips a day for three weeks is a genuine mechanical assault on your bottom. If you've come out the other side of cyclospora with burning, itching, swelling, or a tender lump, you're in very common company.
To be clear: these steps ease the hemorrhoid symptoms that diarrhea causes. They do not treat the infection itself — only prescription antibiotics from your doctor do that.
Go to a doctor promptly — don't wait on a callback — if you see significant rectal bleeding, black or tarry stools, signs of dehydration (dizziness, very dark urine, confusion), a fever that won't break, or severe abdominal pain. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and anyone immunocompromised should be seen earlier rather than later.
The recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico product is out of the supply chain, and there's no current advisory against iceberg lettuce generally. Reasonable precautions still apply: wash produce, and if a fresh item is part of an active recall, skip it. Check the CDC page before assuming anything has changed — numbers and guidance have been updated several times this summer.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Revivol-XR products provide temporary relief of hemorrhoid symptoms only; they do not treat, cure, or prevent cyclosporiasis, diarrhea, or any disease. Consult a healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment.
