A social media trend called "cyclospora skinny" is drawing warnings from medical professionals as Arizona health officials investigate 36 locally acquired cases of the intestinal illness.

The online posts and jokes have spread across social platforms, where some users have suggested that the parasite could be used as a fast weight loss method. Medical experts are responding with a clear warning that Cyclospora cayetanensis infection is a painful illness, not a shortcut.

"Getting any kind of illness to purposely cause something like that is just a bad idea," Dr. Andrew Carroll, president of IntraCare and a physician in Chandler, Arizona, told Fox 10. "Plus, cyclosporiasis can be deadly. There are folks ending up in the hospital for long periods of time."

The outbreak in Arizona has put renewed attention on Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic foodborne parasite that causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, according to Mayo Clinic.

The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with fecal matter. It has often been linked to fresh produce such as berries, basil, cilantro and bagged salad mixes.

Once inside the body, the parasite infects the small intestine. Reported symptoms include prolonged, watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping and severe fatigue.

Infectious disease specialists emphasize that weight loss can occur during cyclosporiasis. However, that loss comes from fluid loss, muscle wasting and nutrient malabsorption, not healthy fat reduction.

Medical professionals are warning that intentionally exposing yourself to Cyclospora, or ignoring symptoms of infection, can carry serious health risks, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Left untreated, a Cyclospora infection can persist for weeks or even months. The illness can move through cycles of apparent improvement followed by relapses.

Cyclospora also cannot be detected through standard bacterial stool cultures. It requires a specific laboratory test ordered by a physician.

Unlike many common stomach bugs that resolve on their own, severe or persistent Cyclospora infections typically require a prescription antibiotic to fully eliminate the parasite.

Severe diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and complications. Experts warn those risks are especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

"With diarrhea, if you’re not able to control that part of it, you’re going to lose a lot of electrolytes, so you’re going to have problems with muscle cramps and headaches and all those sorts of things," Carroll said.

"We’re really aware of dehydration in this state; you don’t want to get to the state where your heart just can’t pump enough blood because there is no water in there."

The warnings come as social media users continue to reference the outbreak in videos and jokes. Carroll cautioned that comments meant as humor can be taken seriously by people who are struggling with weight.

"Especially to someone who might be dealing and struggling with their weight; they might think, ‘Hey, it might be a good idea,’ and it’s never a good idea."

Medical professionals are urging the public not to view parasitic infections as a weight loss shortcut. Experts from Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic recommend safe food handling and seeking medical attention for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.

The story follows broader concern about the outbreak and contaminated produce. Dr. Marc Siegel discussed an alarming cyclosporiasis outbreak involving more than 4,000 cases in 41 states linked to contaminated produce, and said caution is needed because the parasitic infection is not fully controlled despite FDA tracing efforts.

Siegel also criticized an FDA panel recommendation to ease peptide restrictions. He pointed to insufficient human studies on the long term health impacts of those products.