Parasites Causing Human Diseases

Introduction

There is a high possibility of parasites causing human diseases, as parasites are organisms that live in another organism known as the host. A parasite often harms the host. The host has to take some actions to free themselves of parasites and lead a healthy life. 

Parasites

Parasites are organisms that live on other organisms to survive. A parasite cannot live without a host, and it will grow and multiply once it finds a host. A parasite can rarely kill the host, but the disease can spread, and some of those diseases can be lethal. Parasites are like small predators which live off the host’s body, reproduce and multiply to survive. 

Types of Parasites

The three main types of parasites are; 

• Protozoa: It is a single-celled organism such as plasmodium and other protozoa

• Helminths: These are commonly called worms for example roundworm, pinworm, tapeworm, Trichinella spiralis and fluke

• Ectoparasites: These parasites live on their hosts, for example, fleas and lice

Parasitic Infection

To understand the definition of parasites causing human diseases, it is vital to comprehend parasite infection first. A few parasites are hardly noticeable and do not even affect their hosts. Many invade the organ system, growing and reproducing to make their hosts sick, which results in parasitic infection. 

Parasitic infections have become an enormous problem, especially in subtropical and tropical regions of this world. Malaria is known to be one of the most parasitic diseases. Other common parasitic infections are known as: 

• Trichomoniasis 
• Giardiasis
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Toxoplasmosis 

Symptoms of a Parasitic Infection

The symptoms of parasitic infection may differ from person to person. It also depends on the kind of organism, such as; 

• Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs by a parasite. It often produces no symptoms at all, but in some cases, it may cause redness, irritation, itching and even an unusual discharge from the genital area
• Giardiasis can cause gas, upset stomach, greasy stools, dehydration and diarrhoea
• Cryptosporidiosis can cause stomach cramps, nausea, stomach pain, dehydration, vomiting, fever and weight loss
• Toxoplasmosis can cause swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches and even pains that will last for months

Reason behind parasitic infections

• Protozoa are single-celled organisms that will live and multiply inside the body by reproducing. Some infections occur by protozoa, such as giardiasis, which is a severe infection, and a person can come into contact with it because of infected water with Giardia Protozoa
• Helminths are multi-celled organisms that live inside or outside of our bodies. They are also known as worms, including parasitic infections such as tapeworms, flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms
• Ectoparasites are multi-celled organisms that will feed off the skin and live there, including mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, arachnids and mites

Parasitic infections may spread in several ways. For example, protozoa and helminths can spread through contaminated water, waste, soil, food, and blood. Some parasites can be passed through sexual contact, and some parasites will be spread by insects that act as vectors or carriers of this disease. Malaria is another example of Parasitic Protozoa that is transmitted by mosquitoes. 

Parasite infections affecting people 

Parasitic infections can happen to anyone, but fewer people are at a greater risk than others. Parasitic infections will affect the following people more- 

• They are suffering from a compromised immune system and already have other diseases
• They live or travel to subtropical or tropical regions of this world 
• They lack a clean supply of drinking water
• They regularly swim in rivers, ponds and lakes where the Giardia and other parasites are present
• They work with soil, at childcare or other places where they come in contact with faeces regularly

Conclusion

Parasites causing human diseases are one of the most common illnesses a human being may suffer from, but there are several ways one can prevent it and keep away from it, such as

• Practising safe sex
• Washing hands regularly, especially after washing or handling uncooked food or faeces
• Cooking the food you eat  
• Drinking clean and purified water, avoiding water from streams, lakes and ponds