Parasitic infections are more common in rural or developing areas than in developed areas. In developed areas, these infections may occur in immigrants, in returning travelers, or in people with a weakened immune system. Parasites usually enter the body through the mouth or skin.
Examples of parasitic infections
The most common ones found in North America include Giardia infections (through contaminated water) and toxoplasmosis (spread by cats). Others include: E. vermicularis, or pinworm.
Roundworms (nematodes) – the adult forms of these worms can reside in the gastrointestinal tract, blood, lymphatic system or subcutaneous tissues. Alternatively, the immature (larval) states can cause disease through their infection of various body tissues.
Parasites are living things that use other living things - like your body - for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.
From Contaminated Food and Water
Travelers may acquire parasitic illnesses: through ingestion of contaminated food or water, by vector-borne transmission, or. through person-to-person contact.
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi... Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium... Toxocariasis is the parasitic disease caused by the larvae of two species of Toxocara roundworms...
Ascaris is an intestinal parasite of humans. It is the most common human worm infection. The larvae and adult worms live in the small intestine and can cause intestinal disease.
Parasitic infections affect millions around the world causing seizures, blindness, infertility, heart failure, and even death,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “They're more common in the US than people realize and yet there is so much we don't know about them.
The greatest diversity of human parasites is found on the Eurasian continent, but when controlled for population the greatest concentration of human parasites is found in Africa.
touching objects or surfaces with worm eggs on them – if someone with worms does not wash their hands. touching soil or swallowing water or food with worm eggs in it – mainly a risk in parts of the world without modern toilets or sewage systems.
The major protozoan parasites include Plasmodium species (causing malaria), Entamoeba histolytica (causing amebiasis), Leishmania species (causing leishmaniasis), and Trypanosoma species (causing sleeping sickness and Chagas' disease).
Dioctophyme (=Dioctophyma) renale, the giant kidney worm, is the largest known parasitic nematode infecting humans — adult females can reach over one meter in length. The genus has been spelled as both “Dioctophyma” and “Dioctophyme”.
Common global water-related diseases caused by parasites include Guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis.
Parasites exist, and it is estimated that the majority of people may have parasites in their bodies.
Schistosomiasis is the second most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease after malaria. The symptoms of schistosomiasis include a rash or itchy skin that is followed by fever, cough and chills.
Nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms) are among the most common helminths that inhabit the human gut. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoan parasites that have only one cell can multiply inside the human body.
Parasites - Scabies
Human scabies is caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash.
Parasite symptoms in humans, such as sleeping irregularities, skin irritation, mood changes, and muscle pain, can all be caused by the toxins released by the parasites into your bloodstream. These toxins could even cause anxiety, which tends to manifest itself in irregular sleeping patterns or teeth grinding.
Unexplained digestive problems, itchiness, anemia, muscular and joint pain, and inability to feel satisfied after even a hearty meal are some of the commonly experienced signs you may have a parasite. Call your doctor if your unusual signs indicate the presence of a parasite.
This diet may include avoiding greasy, processed foods and eating natural, whole foods. Some parasite cleansing diets ask the person to avoid specific types of foods, such as gluten, dairy, or pork. Diets may also include the use of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, such as garlic, turmeric, and ginger.