Parasites in humans cause health problems and can enter the body through food or water. Symptoms include fatigue, irregular bowel movements, weight loss, itching, and anemia. Preventative measures include sanitary food preparation and deworming pets. Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The presence of parasites in humans causes numerous health problems, some of which are life-threatening if left untreated. Parasites typically enter the body through ingested food or water. When in the digestive tract, symptoms of parasites in humans can include fatigue, irregular or excessive bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, and cramping. Other types of parasites can reside in the blood and skin and cause itching, muscle and joint pain, or anemia. These symptoms have many other potential causes, so the parasites can be hard to spot without an X-ray exam.
Larger parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall and siphon off nutrients that would otherwise travel through the body. In severe cases, this leads to general malnutrition and weight loss. In the large intestine, larger worms can clog the inside of the intestine and prevent regular bowel movements. They also cause cramps and gas. Eating improperly cooked meat makes a worm infection more likely.
Symptoms of parasites in humans can also be confused with the flu. Blood parasites cause flu-like symptoms right from the start: fever, chills, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe infection causes digestive problems and difficulty swallowing, as well as anemia. Typically, blood parasites are spread when an infected insect such as a mosquito bites a human and leaves feces inside the bite. Severe inflammation, swelling, or pain around the bite area indicates a possible parasite infection.
Fungal parasites rely on moisture to thrive. They may live and reproduce best in areas exposed to a large amount of sweat or other moisture; the armpits, groin, feet and inner thighs are the main problem areas. Constantly itchy, dry, flaky skin or peeling dead skin are also symptoms of parasites in humans. Ringworm, another common fungal parasite, causes a circular rash on the skin at the area of the infection.
Taking preventative measures can curb parasitic symptoms in humans and stop parasitic infection altogether. Avoiding parasites requires observing sanitary food preparation, and having pets dewormed regularly can also prevent worms. The use of insect repellent and skin cover removes an entry method for blood parasites via mosquitoes. Removing excess moisture from the skin stops the growth of fungi such as athlete’s foot. Anyone who believes they have a parasitic infection based on known symptoms should visit a doctor as soon as possible to have a complete exam done, because an untreated parasitic infection could be life threatening.
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