Parasites
Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host and can cause various health issues in humans. People can contract parasites through contaminated food, water, soil or direct contact with infected individuals or animals. Here are some common parasites and how they are contracted:
Giardia: Contracted through contaminated water, food or direct contact with infected individuals or animals. The symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. How it affects the body is Giardia infects the intestines, causing gastrointestinal distress and malabsorption of nutrients. It can lead to dehydration and weight loss.
Toxoplasma gondii: Contracted through ingestion of oocysts from contaminated food (especially undercooked meat), water or soil; contact with cat feces (cats are the definitive host). The symptoms are flu like symptoms, muscle aches and headaches. In individuals with weakened immune systems, it can cause severe damage to the brain, eyes or other organs. How it affects the body is the parasite can infect the brain, eyes and other tissues, potentially causing encephalitis, vision problems and complications during pregnancy (birth defects or miscarriages).
Entamoeba histolytica: Contracted through food, water or direct contact with fecal matter. The symptoms are diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, cramping, fever and fatigue. How it affects the body is this amoeba infects the intestines and can cause severe dysentery, liver abscesses, and other organ damage if untreated.
Pinworm: Contracted through ingestion of pinworm eggs, typically from contaminated surfaces, hands or bedding. The symptoms include itching around the anus, especially at night, irritability, difficulty sleeping and in some cases, abdominal pain. How it affects the body is pinworms primarily affect the intestines, particularly the colon and rectum. The eggs hatch in the intestines and the female pinworms migrate to the anus to lay eggs, causing itching.
Roundworms: Contracted through ingesting eggs from contaminated food, water or soil (often areas with poor sanitation). The symptoms are abdominal discomfort, coughing, wheezing and in severe cases, intestinal blockages or malnutrition. How it affects the body is roundworms migrate from the intestines to the lungs, where they can cause respiratory issues. They can then return to the intestines, leading to abdominal pain and malabsorption.
Tapeworm: Contracted through ingesting undercooked or contaminated meat from infected animals (pork for Taenia sodium, beef for Taenia saginata). The symptoms are abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and in some cases, weight loss. In rare instances, tapeworm larvae can infect the brain (neurocysticercosis) or other tissues, leading to seizures or neurological issues. How it affects the body is tapeworms live in the intestines and absorb nutrients from the host. In severe cases, larvae can form cysts in muscles, organs or the brain.
Schistosoma: Contracted through contact with freshwater contaminated with Schistosoma larvae, typically in tropical or subtropical regions. The symptoms are fever, chills, fatigue, abdominal pain and in chronic cases, liver damage, bladder issues or intestinal bleeding. How it affects the body is the parasite burrows into the skin and migrates through the bloodstream to various organs, including the liver, bladder and intestines, causing inflammation and organ damage.
Malaria: Contracted through bites from infected anopheles mosquitoes (which carry the plasmodium parasite). The symptoms are fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, organ failure or death. How it affects the body is malaria affects the liver and red blood cells, causing cyclical fevers, anemia and in severe cases, neurological damage or death if untreated.
Lice: Contracted through direct contact with an infected person or their personal items, like combs, hats or bedding. The symptoms are itching, visible nits (eggs) or lice on the scalp or body. How it affects the body is lice can cause intense itching due to allergic reactions to bites and in rare cases, secondary bacterial infections due to scratching.
Leishmania: Contracted through bites from infected sandflies. The symptoms are skin sores, fever, weight loss and liver or spleen enlargement. How it affects the body is leishmaniasis can affect the skin (causing ulcers) or internal organs (leading to life threatening complications if untreated).
Trichinella: Contracted through ingesting undercooked or raw meat, especially from pork or wild game. The symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, muscle pain and in severe cases, neurological or cardiac symptoms. How it affects the body is the larvae from infected meat enter the intestines and migrate to muscles, causing inflammation, muscle pain, and in severe cases, organ damage.
Hookworms: Contracted through contact with contaminated soil, often through bare feet or by ingesting contaminated food or water. The symptoms are abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia, itching (at the site of skin penetration), and coughing. How it affects the body is hookworm larvae penetrate the skin, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, and then are coughed up and swallowed. They then attach to the intestines and feed on blood, leading to anemia.
Cryptosporidium: Contracted through contaminated water (especially recreational swimming areas), food or contact with infected individuals. The symptoms are diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration. How it affects the body is cryptosporidium infects the intestines and can cause severe diarrhea. It is especially problematic for people with weakened immune systems.
By being aware of these common parasites and how they are transmitted, individuals can take steps to reduce their risk of infections. If you suspect that you have a parasite, speak to your healthcare provider to express your concerns.