Parasites range from microscopic in size to over 30 meters in length.A parasite is an organism that lives within or on a host. The host is another organism.The parasite uses the host’s resources to fuel its life cycle. It uses the host’s resources to maintain itself.Parasites vary widely. Around are not visible to the human eye, such as the malarial parasite, but some worm parasites can reach over 30 meters in length.Parasites are not a disease, but they can spread diseases. Different parasites have different effects.
EndoparasiteThese live inside the host. They include heartworm, and flatworms.
An intercellular parasite lives in the spaces within the host’s body, within the host’s cells. They include bacteria and viruses.Endoparasites rely on a third organism, known as the vector, or carrier. The vector transmits the endoparasite to the host. The mosquito is a vector for many parasites, including the protozoan known as Plasmodium, which causes malaria. EpiparasiteThese feed on other parasites in a relationship known as hyperparasitism. A flea lives on a dog, but the flea may have a protozoan in its digestive tract. The protozoan is the hyperparasite.
Some parasite-related problems, such as giardiasis and amebic dysentery, can cause abdominal pain.Symptoms that might occur include:. skin bumps or rashes. weight loss, increased appetite, or both. abdominal pain, and vomiting. sleeping problems.
Even if you don't need treatment to kill the parasite, you may need treatment for the symptoms caused by the infection, such as medication to reduce the number.
aches and pains. allergies. weakness and general feeling unwell.However, parasites can pass on a wide variety of conditions, so symptoms are hard to predict.Often there are no symptoms, or symptoms appear long after infection, but the parasite can still be transmitted to another person, who may develop symptoms. Many types of parasites can affect humans. Here are some examples of parasites and the diseases they can cause. AcanthamoebiasisThis tiny ameba can affect the eye, the skin, and the brain.
It exists all over the world in water and soil. Individuals can become infected if they clean contact lenses with tap water. BabesiosisThis disease that comes from parasites that are spread by ticks. It affects the red blood cells. The in summer in the Northeast and upper Midwest of the United States. BalantidiasisThis is passed on by Balatidium coli, a single-cell parasite that but can, in rare cases, cause intestinal infection in humans.
It can be spread through direct contact with pigs or by drinking contaminated water, usually in tropical regions. BlastocystosisThis affects the intestines. The blastocystis enters humans through the fecal-oral route. A person can get it by eating food or drink contaminated with human or animal feces where the parasite is present. Coccidia is passed on through the fecal-oral route. It is found around the world.
It can also affect dogs and cats, but these are different kinds. Dogs, cats, and humans cannot normally infect each other. AmoebiasisThis the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
It affects the intestines. It is more likely in tropical regions and in areas with high population density and poor sanitation. It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. GiardiasisGiardia, or “beaver fever” of the small intestine. If humans ingest food or water contaminated with feces, dormant may infect the body.Isosporiasis or cystosporiasisThis disease the Cystoisospora belli, previously known as Isospora belli. It affects the epithelial cells of the small intestine. It exists worldwide and is both treatable and preventable.
It is passed on through the fecal-oral route. LeishmaniasisThis is a disease that is of the Leishmania family. It can affect the skin, the viscera, or the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat. It can be fatal. The parasite is transmitted by types of sandflies. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)This is a free-living ameba known as Naegleria fowleri. It affects the brain and the nervous system, and it is nearly always fatal within 1 to 18 days.
It is transmitted through breathing in contaminated soil, swimming pools, and contaminated water, but not from drinking water. MalariaDifferent types of plasmodium affect the red blood cells. It exists in tropical regions and is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito.
RhinosporidiosisThis is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. It the mucous of the nose, conjunctiva, and urethra. It is more common in India and Sri Lanka but can occur elsewhere.
Polyps result in nasal masses that need to be removed through surgery. Bathing in common ponds can expose the nasal mucous to the parasite. ToxoplasmosisThis is a parasitic pneumonia Toxoplasma gondii. It affects the liver, heart, eyes and brain. It occurs worldwide. People can become infected after ingesting raw or undercooked pork, lamb, goat, or milk, or though contact with food or soil that is contaminated with cat feces.A person with a healthy immune system will not usually have symptoms, but it can pose a risk during pregnancy and for those with a weakened immune system. TrichomoniasisAlso known as “trich” this is a (STI) Trichomonas vaginalis.
It affects the female urogenital tract. It can exist in males, but usually without symptoms. Trypanomiasis (Sleeping sickness)This is passed on when the tetse fly of the Trypanosoma family. It affects the, blood, and lymph. It leads to changes in sleep behavior, among other symptoms, and it is considered fatal without treatment. It can cross the placenta and infect a fetus during pregnancy.
Chagas diseaseThis, muscle, nerves, heart, esophagus and colon. It is transmitted through an insect bite.
Over 300,000 people in the U.S. Have the parasite that can lead to this disease. Roundworms can be passed on by raccoons.Roundworm: Ascariasis, or a roundworm infection, does not usually cause symptoms, but the worm in feces. It enters the body through consuming contaminated food or drink.Raccoon roundworm: Baylisascaris is raccoon stools. It can affect the brain, lungs, liver, and intestines. It occurs in North America.
People are advised not to keep raccoons as pets for this reason.Clonorchiasis: Also known as Chinese liver fluke disease, the gall bladder. Humans can become infected after ingesting raw or poorly processed or preserved freshwater fish.Dioctophyme renalis infection: The giant kidney worm the wall of the stomach to the liver and eventually the kidney.
Humans can become infected after eating the eggs of the parasite in raw or undercooked freshwater fish.Diphyllobothriasis tapeworm: This and blood. Humans can become infected after eating raw fish that live wholly or partly in fresh water. Prevalence has increased in some parts of the developed world, possibly due to the growing popularity of sushi, salted fillets, ceviche, and other raw-fish dishes.Guinea worm: This affects subcutaneous tissues and muscle and causes blisters and ulcers. The worm may be visible in the blister. As the worms are shed or removed, they enter the soil or water, and are passed on from there.
Hookworms can cause intestinal disease.Hookworm: These disease. They lay their eggs in soil and the larvae can penetrate the skin of humans. Early symptoms include itching and a rash. They are most common in damp places with poor sanitation.Hymenolepiasis: Humans by ingesting material contaminated by rodents, cockroaches, mealworms, and flour beetles.Echinococcosis tapeworm: Cystic echinococcosis in the liver and lungs, and alveolar echinococcosis can cause a in the liver.
Humans can be infected after eating foods contaminated by the feces of an infected animal, or from direct contact with an animal.Enterobiasis pinworm: A pinworm, or threadworm, Enterobius vermicularis can and rectum of humans. The worm lays eggs around the anus while a person sleeps, leading to itching. It spreads through the oral-fecal route.Fasciolosis liver fluke: This and liver. It is common in countries where cattle or sheep are reared, but rare in the U.S. It can affect the liver and the bile ducts and it causes gastrointestinal symptoms. It passes from one mammal to another through snails. A person may get it from eating watercress, for example.Fasciolopsiasis intestinal fluke: This affects the intestines.
It can also transmitted when consuming contaminated water plants or water.Gnathostomiasis: This under the skin, and occasionally affects the liver, the eyes, and the nervous system. It is rare, but it can be fatal. It occurs in Southeast Asia. It is transmitted by eating freshwater fish, pigs, snails, frogs, and chicken.Loa loa filariasis: Also known as loaisis, by the Loa loa worm, or African eye worm. It causes itchy swellings on the body. It occurs mainly in Central and West Africa and is transmitted through deerfly bites.Mansonellosis: This is the bites of midges or blackflies. It affects the layers under the surface of the skin, but it can enter the blood.
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It can lead to, swellings, skin rash, fever, and joint problems. It Africa and Cental America.River blindness: Caused by a worm known as Onchocerca volvulus, skin, and other body tissues. It is found near fast flowing water. It is transmitted through the bite of a blackfly.
It occurs in South America, but 90 percent of cases are in Africa.Lung fluke: Also known as paragonimiasis, causing symptoms similar to those of (TB). However, it can reach the central nervous system, leading to. It is transmitted when eating undercooked or raw freshwater, crayfishes, and other crustaceans. It is most common in parts of Asia.Schistosomiasis, bilharzia, or snail fever: There are different types of schistosomiasis. They and internal organs. It results from exposure to fresh water that has snails in it that are infected with the blood fluke, or trematode worm.
The worms are not found in the U.S. But they are common worldwide.Sparganosis: Humans can become infected if they with dog or cat feces that contains the larvae of a tapeworm of the Spirometra family. It can lead to a migrating abscess under the skin. It is rare.Strongyloidiasis: This can immunodeficiency. The parasite penetrates through the skin and affects the lungs, skin, and intestines.
It is passed on through direct contact with contaminated soil. It most occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. Different types of tapeworm can affect the intestines, the liver, or the lungs.Beef and pork tapeworms: Taeniasis is of the taenia family. They affect the intestines. They are passed on by eating undercooked beef or pork.Toxocariasis: A roundworm from animals to humans. It affects the eyes, brain, and liver. It is caused by accidentally swallowing the eggs of the parasite, for example, when young children play with soil.
Nearly 14 percent of people in the U.S. Have antibodies, suggesting that millions have been exposed. Most never have symptoms.Trichinosis: This is of the Trichinella family.
Infection can lead to intestinal symptoms, fever, and muscle aches. It is passed on by eating undercooked meat.Whipworm: Also, whipworms live in the large intestine.
Eggs are passed in feces. It is common all over the world. Humans can become infected when ingesting the eggs, for example on unwashed fruit or vegetables.Elephantiasis lymphatic filariasis: This is. The adult worms live in the lymph system. Infection can lead to lyphedema and elephantiasis, in which swelling can cause disfigurement and disability. In the Americas, it is the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito.is sometimes mistaken for a worm, but it is not a worm.
It is a fungal infection. Bed bugs are ectoparasites: They live on the outside of the body.Bedbug: These can affect the skin and vision. They are found all over the world. Sharing clothing and bedding can spread infection.
They may be present in newly rented accommodation and hotel rooms.Body lice: These are common worldwide. Infection can spread through sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and sharing bedding or clothing.Crab lice: These affect the pubic area and eyelashes. They are common all over the world and spread through sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and sharing bedding or clothing.Demodex: These affect the eyebrow and eyelashes.
They are common all over the world and can spread through prolonged skin contact.Scabies: This affects the skin. It is common all over the world and can spread through sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and sharing bedding or clothing.Screwworm: This is transmitted by a fly, and it affects skin and wounds. It is found in Central America and North Africa.Head lice: These live on the scalp and affect the hair follicles. They are common all over the world and spread through head-to-head contact. A reaction to their saliva causes itching.Parasites come in many shapes and sizes and can lead to a wide variety of symptoms and health issues. Some parasites are treatable and others are not.
Gastrointestinal Amebiasisby Drugs.com. Last updated on May 30, 2019. Health GuideWhat Is It?Gastrointestinal amebiasis is an infection of the large intestine caused by microscopic one-celled parasites commonly known as amoebas (Entamoeba histolytica). Because these parasites live in the large intestine, they travel in the feces of infected people, and can contaminate water supplies in places where sanitation is poor. The parasite can contaminate fruits and vegetables grown in areas where human feces are used as fertilizer. They can be transferred on the dirty hands of infected people who don't wash their hands often or correctly.Once amoebas enter the mouth, they travel through the digestive system and settle in the large intestine.
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Harmless strains of the parasite (Entamoeba dispar) live there without causing damage. Histolytica can live in the intestine without causing symptoms, but it also can cause severe disease. These amoebas may invade the wall of the intestine, leading to amoebic dysentery, an illness that causes intestinal ulcers, bleeding, increased mucus production and diarrhea. These amoebas also may pass into the bloodstream and travel to the liver or, infrequently, to the brain, where they form pockets of infection (abscesses).About 10% of the world's population is infected with amoebas, particularly people who live in Mexico, India, Central America, South America, Africa and the tropical areas of Asia. In industrialized countries, amebiasis is most common in recent immigrants and travelers who visit countries where amoebas are prevalent. SymptomsIn more than 90% of cases, the infecting strain of amoeba does not cause any symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they usually begin within months after amoebas first enter the body. In some people, the symptoms are mild, consisting of mild pain and gurgling sounds in the lower abdomen, along with two or three loose stools daily.
In other people, however, there can be full-blown symptoms of amoebic dysentery, including high fever, severe abdominal pain and 10 or more episodes of diarrhea daily. Typically, this diarrhea is watery or contains blood and mucus.When amoebas spread to the liver and cause liver abscess, symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, weight loss and an enlarged liver. It is possible for a person to develop symptoms of an amoebic liver abscess without ever having had the diarrhea typical of infection.
DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your exposure to amoebas, especially about any recent trips to areas where amoebas are common. Your doctor will look for specific symptoms of amoebic infection, especially frequent diarrhea or loose stools and the presence of blood and mucus in your bowel movements.
Because other conditions can cause bloody diarrhea, and because there are other types of infectious diarrhea, information about bowel disease in your family and details of your travels are particularly important.Usually, a series of three stool samples will be checked in the laboratory for the presence of E. In many cases, this stool test can confirm the diagnosis. Several different blood tests that can make a diagnosis with a high degree of accuracy are also available. In special cases, when the diagnosis is not clear after stool and blood tests, proctosigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may be needed to allow your doctor to examine the intestinal wall directly and to take tissue samples for laboratory examination. In these tests, a doctor inserts a thin, lighted instrument into the rectum and colon to view them directly.When symptoms of fever and abdominal pain, especially on the right upper side, suggest a possible liver abscess, you may need an ultrasound or CT scan of the liver. Because people who have a liver abscess but no longer have parasites in the intestines, stool tests may be less helpful.
In these situations, doctors confirm the diagnosis with a blood test or a needle aspiration or biopsy. In a needle aspiration or biopsy, a small piece of tissue from the abscess is removed and examined in a laboratory. Expected DurationHarmless amoebas can live in the intestines for years without causing symptoms. When invasive amoebas cause symptoms of amoebic dysentery, attacks can last from a few days to several weeks. Unless you are treated, you can have another attack. PreventionThere is no immunization to protect against gastrointestinal amebiasis. If you travel to areas where amebiasis is common, you can decrease your risk of infection by drinking only canned or bottled drinks or water that has been boiled.
Eat only foods that have been cooked thoroughly. Drink only pasteurized milk and dairy products. If you eat raw fruit, eat only those that you have freshly peeled. TreatmentGastrointestinal amebiasis is treated with nitroimidazole drugs, which kill amoebas in the blood, in the wall of the intestine and in liver abscesses. These drugs include and (, Fasigyn). Metronidazole usually is given for 10 days, either by mouth or directly into the veins (intravenously).
To kill amoebas and cysts confined to the intestine, three drugs called drugs are available: (Diquinol and others), (Humatin) and diloxanide furoate (Furamide). One of these drugs is used along with metronidazole when gastrointestinal symptoms are present. In people who pass amoebas in their stools without having symptoms of amebiasis, the luminal drugs alone can clear the amoebas from the bowel. When To Call a ProfessionalCall your doctor whenever you have continuing diarrhea, especially if it contains blood and mucus. If you have severe abdominal pain, especially in the right upper side, and a fever, visit a doctor the same day.
When you have non-bloody diarrhea that is frequent and symptoms of dehydration such as dizziness, call your doctor. PrognosisDrug treatment can cure amebiasis within a few weeks. However, because medication cannot keep you from getting infected again, repeat episodes of amebiasis may occur if you continue to live in or travel to areas where amoebas are found.
Among children in developing countries, especially infants and those younger than 5, gastrointestinal amebiasis can be fatal. Worldwide, amebiasis is the third most common cause of death from parasitic infections. External resourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention1600 Clifton RoadAtlanta, GA 30333Toll-Free: 1-888-232-3228TTY: 1-888-232-6348Further informationAlways consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.