Parasites are called lower organisms that can live in the body of a person or animal and feed on it. Scientists have a huge number of such creatures, and each of them is dangerous in its own way and can cause a variety of diseases.
Types of parasites in humans
All parasites can be distinguished according to several criteria:
- There are two broad categories, distinguished by body structure: unicellular (bacteria, viruses) and multicellular;
- Parasites can live either on the body surface (e. g. lice) or inside a living being (e. g. types of intestinal parasites: worms, etc. );
- by the time they parasitize: they can be permanent (almost all parasites that live in living beings) and temporary (leeches, mites that, after being fed, leave the body of a living being).
Some of the most common parasites that can infect humans include:
- worm diseases;
- group of protozoal invasions;
- arthropodosis.
Helminthiases are the most common invaders in the human body. These include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes, which can cause diseases such as trematodes.
TOP 5 most famous parasites in the human body
- Pinworm - most often found in children's groups. In the human body, they parasitize in organs such as the large and small intestine. The eggs she lays not only reside in the body, but can also be transferred to bedding and underwear, making them highly contagious. In addition, the eggs in the external environment are perfectly preserved for a long time, although only 4-6 hours are enough to hatch a new parasite.
- Toksokara - most often we get an intruder from our beloved pets, mainly dogs. The size of this creature is quite large - it can reach a length of up to 0. 3 m. The eggs of this parasite are most often "picked up" by children playing in the sandbox near which the dog walked. This species of parasites is dangerous because it can penetrate almost any organ, and the consequences of its vital activity can be irreversible.
- Ascaris is one of the most common parasites infecting more and more people every day. It most often enters the human body along with poorly washed food, raw water, dirty hands and dust. The parasite egg, entering the human body, gradually begins to parasitize in the intestines, and then it can travel through the blood vessels to other organs.
- The tapeworm is the largest parasite of the most common. Cases have been recorded when the extracted parasite reached several meters in length. The most common causes of infection are the consumption of salted fish, crayfish and caviar. If you start to notice worrisome symptoms of fatigue, increased salivation in the morning, nausea and lethargy afterwards, you should see a doctor immediately.
- Echinococcus can get into the body both with poorly washed food, raw water, and from animals. This parasite is dangerous because its larvae can get into almost any organ. Gradually, they stop somewhere and turn into a cyst, which begins to put pressure on nearby tissues.
The most dangerous and rare parasites
In addition to the well-known and easily treatable "traditional" parasites, there are also more dangerous and rarer species. These include parasites such as:
- Bull tapeworm - this parasite can live in the human body almost all its life and be much larger than the tapeworm. According to scientists, the average size of an adult parasite can be from 4 to 40 meters.
- Filaria is a rather exotic parasite found in tropical countries. Once in the human body, it leads to blockage of the lymphatic vessels, as a result of which the limbs reach gigantic sizes. This is the main reason for the development of "Elephantiasis", since these parasites mainly affect the lower limbs.
- Anisakid is a new discovery by scientists. Previously there was information that these parasites are not dangerous, since they cannot develop in the human body. But now it is proven that these pests can cause deadly diseases. Most often they get into the body along with semi-raw seafood and fish.
- Schistosoma - this guest cannot be picked up in ordinary life, but when traveling somewhere in the tropics - it is elementary. Especially if you are buying somewhere in fresh water in a hot tropical climate. Once in the human body, they can lead to anemia, stunted growth and growth disorders, and a decrease in the ability to learn.
