There are several parasitic worms that may live in humans. Flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms are among them. In rural or impoverished areas, the chance of parasite infection is increased. The danger is greatest in areas where food and drinking water may be polluted and sanitation is inadequate.
Some people may carry certain species of flatworm because they eat contaminated vegetables or fruit. Others may get infected by roundworm larvae that enter the body through the skin or the mouth. Still others may be exposed to flukes or other parasites in contaminated water or food. No one knows exactly how many people are infected with these parasites, but they're likely to be more common than you might think.
Symptoms of parasitic infection include diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and growth retardation. Diagnosis depends on identifying the worm or its remains in a stool sample. There are two types of treatment for parasitic infections: drugs to kill the adult worms and anthelmintics; and antibiotics to kill the larval stages of the flatworms and roundworms. There is no effective drug therapy for flukes. Prevention includes cleaning up any pollution in the environment that could support parasite life cycles and avoiding contact with infected animals.
Millions of Americans become infected with parasites, and their symptoms frequently go unreported or are misdiagnosed. These tiny critters are commonly found in food and water. Seizures, blindness, pregnancy issues, heart failure, and even death can all result from an infection.
Parasites are organisms that live in or on humans or animals for no significant part of their lives. Although parasites may cause some health problems for their hosts, they usually benefit the host by eliminating other organisms that would otherwise harm them. Some parasites may cause disease in their hosts but many more exist without causing any damage at all.
Most parasites are bacteria or viruses. Others include:
• Flukes - including liver flukes and intestinal flukes - that infect fish-eating birds and mammals, respectively. Liver flukes cause cancer by altering the host's liver tissue. Intestinal flukes cause diarrhea by blocking up the intestines with eggs.
• Nematodes - including roundworms and hookworms - that infect humans. Roundworms are divided into two groups based on how they develop: plant- and animal-borne rounds. Hookworms are transmitted through the feces of an infected person or animal. They travel to the lungs where they mature before being coughed up and swallowed by a new host.
There are numerous parasites in the environment, and when they enter a person's body, their health might suffer. Some parasites enter the body through contaminated food or drink, while others reside on the skin and in the hair. Stomach and intestine worms are examples of parasites (threadworm, hookworm) that can enter your body through food.
Some people may be more likely to get parasites because of some risk factors. For example, if you are in a developing country we would recommend checking out what kind of parasites are in your environment before you go traveling. Parasites are found in everything from dirty water to soil to animals to people. It is important to avoid putting yourself at risk by not using protection against insect bites, such as sunscreen and insect nets. If you do find yourself exposed to parasites, try to stay under the sun for as short a time as possible and use protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts and pants when you go out into public.
Many people get parasites without even knowing it. Parasites are everywhere, and they live in an average person. There are several types of parasites, some that can cause problems and others that don't.
In rural or developing regions, parasitic illnesses are more prevalent than in developed areas. These illnesses can arise in developed nations among immigrants, returning tourists, or those with weaker immune systems. Parasites often enter the body via the mouth or skin. They can be ingested in food or water contaminated with feces from an infected animal or person, or by touching objects such as knives or tools used by an infected person.
The three most common parasites that affect humans are: Giardia, which is commonly found in drinking water that has been polluted with dog or cat feces; Cryptosporidium, which can be found in well water and does not require pollution for its transmission; and Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in raw meat and vegetables that have been contaminated by cat litter. There are many other parasites that can infect humans, including Hepatitis A virus, Schistosoma mansoni, and Trichinella spiralis.
Many people get sick from parasites every year. Some recover without treatment. Others suffer diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, and/or fever. Infections can be serious for infants, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Parasitic infections can also cause blindness or mental retardation if the parasite enters the brain through the nose-mouth or lungs through the stomach. There are vaccines available to prevent some of these diseases.
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