Parasites

Specific organisms that depend on a host to survive and spread are called parasites. In general, there are 3 main types of parasites, and the symptoms they cause are also different. Moreover, there are some ways that may help prevent parasitic infections. These include good hygiene, thoroughly cooking meat, and drinking clean water. Usually, doctors treat parasitic infections with prescription medicines.

In other words, parasites are organisms that live in, on, or with other organisms (hosts). The way these parasites feed, grow, or multiply is harmful to the host. Without a host, these parasites cannot survive, but they frequently carry life-threatening conditions.

Types of Parasites

These include:

Ectoparasites

This type of parasite often lives on the outside of its host. They also carry diseases between animals and humans. Check below some examples:

• Fleas – These are small wingless insects that have strong back legs that are used to jump long distances. Moreover, fleas can carry serious diseases that infect the host when they bite the host or when the host accidentally swallows the infected flea.
• Head and pubic lice (also known as crabs) – Certain small insects that travel by crawling are called lice. They often live in the hair on the head or in the pubic hair near the genitals. Both types of lice can spread from one person to another through close contact, including sexual intercourse or sharing personal items (such as pillows or towels).
• Mite – This type is a small arachnid that is a relative of ticks and spiders. They are smaller than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) and may cause scabies.
• Ticks – These parasites are also a type of arachnid that often bite and then burrow under the skin. Usually, they are found in wooded areas or grassy fields.

Helminths

The following types are parasitic worms that usually live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including all structures and organs from the mouth to the anus. Generally, an adult helminth can be seen with the naked eye because its size ranges from 1 millimeter to more than 1 meter. Check below the primary types of helminths that usually negatively affect people:

• Flukes (also known as Trematodes) – These are flatworms that often spread to humans through contaminated water or aquatic animals, including snails, fish, and crabs. While there are multiple types of flukes, they may infect the blood, urinary bladder, liver, lungs, intestines, and other organs.
• Tapeworms (Cestodes) – Adult tapeworms are long and flat worms that live in the intestines and feed on nutrients people get from food. These worms multiply by laying eggs in the host’s body. The eggs of tapeworms often spread among people through contaminated food and water or undercooked meat.
• Roundworms (Nematodes) – In general, there are multiple types of roundworms. Mainly, they live in the intestines and spread from infected poop or soil.

Protozoans

The last type of parasites are one-celled organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are often identified under a microscope. Protozoans live in the blood and tissues and may spread through contaminated food or water, direct contact, and the bite of a vector. Generally, there are tens of thousands of different types of protozoans. However, healthcare providers have classified them based on how they move. Check below the primary types of protozoans that negatively affect people:

• Amoeba – This type often forms temporary “false feet” to move. For example, Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) often causes dysentery.
• Ciliates – These are multiple short hairlike structures (also called cilia) that move and gather food. For instance, Balantidium coli (B. coli) is the only ciliate that negatively affects people. It usually causes dysentery.
• Flagellates – These are certain whip-like structures (flagella) that move and sense their surroundings. Giardia intestinalis (giardiasis) and Trypanosoma brucei cause sleeping sickness.
• Sporozoans (also known as Apicomplexans) – These parasites cannot move in their adult stage. However, they eat food that their host is digesting or body fluids. If you get Plasmodium, you may experience malaria and Cryptosporidiosis with Cryptosporidium.

Generally, parasitic infections are very common and negatively affect millions of people worldwide. While most people do not know they have a parasitic infection because they experience mild symptoms, others may develop serious health conditions.

Symptoms

People usually experience different symptoms because they depend on several factors. For example, the severity of the infection, the type of parasite, existing health problems, and age. Check below for the most common symptoms that are noticed in people with parasitic infections:

• Diarrhea
• Increased appetite
• Unusual weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Insomnia (sleep disturbances)
• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Skin rash
• Weakness

Sometimes, you may not experience symptoms and accidentally pass the parasite to other people. If any of the previous symptoms occur, do not hesitate to see a doctor.

Causes

In most cases, people get parasites from contaminated food and water. Check below for the most common food sources of parasites:

• Unwashed and raw fruits and vegetables
• Undercooked or raw meat (including fish)
• Raw aquatic plants (including watercress)
• Unpasteurized milk and juices

However, the parasites may also spread from one person to another, especially if the infected person does not have symptoms. Check below some common causes:

• Spend a lot of time in areas with known parasites
• Contaminated water, foods, soil, blood, or feces
• Do not wash your hands, especially before eating or drinking
• Weakened immune system
• Contaminated bug bites
• Sexual contact

How to Prevent Parasitic Infections?

Check below some tips that may help prevent infections caused by parasites:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before eating or after handling raw meat or vegetables. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap or water is not available.
• Take baths and showers regularly to make sure the parasites do not remain on the hair, the backs of the arms and legs, between the toes, genitals, and belly button.
• Drink clean water – It is recommended to drink only bottled water, especially if you travel to other countries. Avoid lakes, ponds, or streams.
• Cook meat at the recommended temperature. When it is not possible, do not eat that meat.
• Wash your personal items regularly, including clothing and bedding.
• Get protection against insects – For example, you should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when traveling through the woods or grassy fields. You can also use DEET skin spray on the clothes and exposed skin.
• Check your pets regularly – You can use a comb to remove insects.
• Practice safe sex – You should use condoms or dental dams during sexual activity, especially if with new or different partners.

Diagnosis

To confirm a parasitic infection, doctors usually perform the following tests and procedures. For example:

Physical Examination

During this procedure, doctors will check for irregularities linked to the infection. They may also ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history.

Fecal Examination

This procedure is also known as stool culture, and it involves a sample of stool for examination. Physicians will look for parasites or eggs (ova).

Enteroscopy or Colonoscopy

When a stool culture cannot determine what type of parasite you have, doctors may perform these tests. Both tests involve a small and flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end that allows your doctor to see inside the GI tract. The only difference between these tests is that during enteroscopy, physicians insert the tube through the mouth to the small intestine, but during colonoscopy, this tube is inserted into the bowels through the anus.

Blood Tests

These tests are often done to check for parasites. To perform it, physicians often use a needle to get a sample of blood. However, your doctor may perform one or both of the following tests. For example:

• Blood smear – During this test, doctors will place a drop of the blood on a microscope to check for parasites.
• Serology – In such cases, doctors perform a blood test to check for antibodies or antigens that indicate the presence of parasites in the blood. In general, antibodies are certain proteins produced by the immune system to fight off bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause infections.

Imaging Tests

There are some types of parasites that may cause damage to the intestines. Hence, your doctor may perform some imaging tests to examine the organs for lesions. They often perform a CT (computed tomography) scan, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, or X-rays.

Treatment

Commonly, healthcare professionals recommend different treatments for people with parasitic infections. It depends on the type and severity of the infection, existing health problems, age, and preferences. However, they usually prescribe antiparasitic drugs, antibiotics, shampoos, and ointments. It is very important to finish the treatment as recommended by your doctor to prevent the parasites from returning.

If you get ectoparasites (including fleas and ticks), your doctor may recommend the following options. These include:

• Regularly bathing with soap, washing the clothing, bedding, and towels
• Vacuuming carpets, mattresses, and furniture

Foods and Supplements

Your doctor may also recommend dietary changes to help the immune system fight parasites. The following foods and supplements should be taken along with treatment. Check below some examples:

• Beets
• Carrots
• Fiber
• Raw garlic
• Pure honey
• Pumpkin seeds
• Probiotics
• Digestive enzymes
• Vitamin C
• Zinc

You should also get plenty of rest and water because it helps flush the system. In addition, before adding previous supplements and foods to your diet, consult with your doctor because some of them may interact with antiparasitic medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do parasites go away on their own?

There are some parasites that may go away on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system and a balanced diet. In any case, it is advised to see a doctor if you experience symptoms that indicate a parasitic infection.

What can I expect if I have a parasite?

In most cases, people recover completely with early diagnosis and proper treatment. However, if you ignore the symptoms and leave this condition untreated, it may lead to serious infections and severe symptoms. For more details, discuss it with your physician.

When should I go to the ER?

Immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience severe symptoms or existing ones get worse quickly. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.