A growing number of cyclosporiasis cases across the United States has drawn attention to a foodborne parasitic infection that can leave people sick for weeks.

One recent case involved 33-year-old Galenn Sekulich of Detroit, whose illness began with what seemed like a mild stomach issue but quickly developed into a prolonged health struggle.

Her experience highlights how persistent the infection can be and why health officials continue to monitor the rising number of cases.

Symptoms Lasted for Weeks

Sekulich said the first signs of illness appeared on June 21 when she felt nauseous, clammy, and unusually fatigued. Her heart was racing, and she completely lost interest in eating foods she normally enjoyed. At first, the symptoms seemed like anxiety, so she went to bed hoping they would pass.

However, she woke up around 2 a.m. with an intense urge to vomit. Anti-nausea medication prevented vomiting, but the illness continued. Over the following days, she experienced severe dizziness, excessive sweating during sleep, and struggled to keep any food down.

"Anytime I tried to eat, I would have to go to the bathroom, or I'd want to throw up," Sekulich told USA TODAY. As the symptoms continued without relief, she became increasingly worried, even fearing she could have stomach cancer. "I was honestly panicked," she said.

A visit to the emergency room eventually confirmed that she had cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection currently seeing an increase in reported cases across the country.

How the Infection Affected Her Health

Instagram | The CDC warns that untreated cyclosporiasis causes weeks of severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue.

Sekulich described the illness as feeling like multiple infections happening at once.

"It felt like I had COVID fatigue because my body felt so weak, but then it also felt like I had norovirus that wasn't ending," she explained.

Even more than two weeks after becoming sick, she said she could tolerate little more than a piece of toast. Unlike many common stomach illnesses that gradually improve, her symptoms continued without much relief.

"This has just lingered and lingered," Sekulich said. "It's really hard to be sick for two weeks ... You can't stand up because you can't eat, and your body's so tired and fatigued."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cyclosporiasis commonly causes watery diarrhea, frequent or explosive bowel movements, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms can persist for days or even weeks if left untreated.

The illness also caused Sekulich to lose 10 pounds within just five days. While some social media users joked about the rapid weight loss, she warned that the situation should not be taken lightly.

"That's not healthy at all. It's concerning," she said.

Treatment became even more complicated because Sekulich is allergic to Bactrim, the antibiotic most commonly prescribed for cyclosporiasis. Insurance delays and medication availability created additional obstacles before she was finally able to obtain an alternative treatment.

She credited members of her online community for helping her locate the medication she needed. Reflecting on the experience, she questioned how difficult the process could be for people without similar support.

Investigation Continues as Cases Increase

Freepik | According to the FDA, cyclosporiasis is mainly spread through contaminated fresh produce.

As her recovery continues, Sekulich's family has become more cautious about eating fresh produce. She said they have temporarily avoided fresh fruits and salads, choosing options such as applesauce and canned fruit instead.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that cyclosporiasis spreads through contaminated food or beverages, with fresh produce being the most common source of infection. Despite extensive discussions with Michigan health officials, Sekulich still does not know exactly where she was exposed.

She suspects either a packaged grocery store salad or a restaurant salad may have been responsible because those were the only foods she ate that her baby did not.

"It's eye-opening and concerning that something like this can happen," she said. "There's 1,200 people in Michigan sick and they still can't figure it out."

Sekulich's experience illustrates how severe and long-lasting cyclosporiasis can become, even in otherwise healthy adults. Persistent digestive symptoms, fatigue, dehydration, and significant weight loss can disrupt daily life for weeks. As investigations into rising cases continue, health authorities recommend proper washing and handling of fresh produce while working to identify the sources behind ongoing outbreaks.