Nationwide — Reality star Leroy Garrett revealed he suffered through days of intense stomach pain and nonstop diarrhea after contracting cyclosporiasis, a parasite infection spreading across the US. The “The Real World: Las Vegas” star said the illness became so intense that he feared he might need emergency medical treatment.
Garrett, 41, shared his experience on Instagram after the infection left him sick throughout the weekend. According to the Daily Mail, he said the parasite caused extreme diarrhea that kept him running to the bathroom constantly, even waking him up during the night.
As his symptoms worsened, Garrett decided to visit urgent care because he felt he could not wait any longer for help. Doctors told him he needed to submit a stool sample before they could prescribe medication, but because the lab was closed that day, he had to return the following day with the test.
The reality star described the experience as one of the most painful illnesses he had gone through. He compared the sensation in his stomach to the feeling of heavy boots spinning around inside a dryer, saying the discomfort was constant.
In his Instagram post, Garrett warned people to be careful after dealing with the infection. He said he was unsure what caused him to get sick but suspected it may have come from something he ate.
“Thankfully I was able to get the proper medication to help kill off the infection,” Garrett wrote, adding he would not want anyone, especially children, to experience what he went through.
Garrett, who lives in Michigan with his wife Kam Williams and their two children, became sick as health officials continue monitoring thousands of cyclosporiasis cases in the state. More than 4,300 cases have been reported in Michigan, with more than 100 people hospitalized, according to health officials.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cyclospora infections affect the small intestine and often cause watery diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, and stomach issues. Symptoms can last from several days to more than a month if left untreated and may return after improving.
The CDC says antibiotics can treat the infection, but people with weakened immune systems may experience longer-lasting symptoms. Health officials are still investigating the source of the ongoing outbreak.