Parasites that live on or in a host and obtain their food from them can cause minor discomforts to serious illnesses. Protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites are the three types that affect people. Contaminated water and food are frequent sources of parasitic infections. Preventative measures such as drinking only treated water, washing hands, and using bug sprays can avoid parasitic diseases. If a person has symptoms of a parasitic infection, they should see a doctor right away.
Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host and obtain their food from the host. While there are thousands of known parasites, only about 100 affect humans. Problems caused by parasitic infections range from minor discomforts to serious illnesses. The three types of parasites that affect people are protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Some parasitic diseases eventually go away on their own, while others can cause disability or death if left untreated.
Protozoa are microscopic single-celled organisms that are transported to humans mainly through contaminated food or insect bites. An insect that carries a disease through its bite is called a vector. The most common vector is the mosquito, which can transmit yellow fever, filariasis, elephantiasis, heartworms and malaria. Malaria is the most destructive parasitic disease, killing over a million people each year, mostly young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Flies can also be vectors and various species spread parasitic diseases such as sleeping sickness and river blindness.
Helminths, the second category responsible for causing parasitic diseases, are large multicellular organisms that can be seen with the naked eye in their adult form. This group consists of flatworms, sucking worms such as flukes and tapeworms, spiny worms and roundworms. Worms generally do not feed on the host, but take nutrients from the host. Symptoms of worm infection include itching, vomiting, weight loss, increased appetite, abdominal pain, intestinal blockages, and joint and muscle pain. While parasitic worms can be found all over the world, they are most common in China, the Middle East, South America, Africa and the Caribbean.
Ectoparasites are organisms that attach to or burrow into the skin for long periods of time and include ticks, mites and fleas. Ticks burrow under the skin, releasing toxins that cause a variety of illnesses, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and Lymes disease. Mites, such as chiggers and scabies, are common in hot or crowded areas and cause skin irritation. Fleas can carry typhoid and bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death.
Contaminated water and food are frequent sources of parasitic infections. Giardia infection occurs globally and comes from untreated water. This is more common among people who have walked and drunk streams or rivers, or who live in areas with inadequate sanitation. Treating the water or using bottled water when traveling to such areas can prevent many of the parasitic diseases. Proper hand washing before preparing or handling food is another important preventative measure.
Parasitic diseases are rampant in tropical and subtropical climates. The use of pesticides has eliminated insect-borne diseases, such as malaria, in many parts of the world. Some regions, unfortunately, do not have the resources to implement preventive measures or to treat those who become infected. In addition to those who die of malaria, tropical parasitic diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and guinea worm claim another half million lives each year.
Taking preventative measures such as drinking only treated water, washing your hands, and using bug sprays can be very successful in avoiding parasitic diseases. If a person has symptoms of a parasitic infection, they should see a doctor right away. Most of these infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics and other medications.
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