Did you know that if you decide to swim in water that’s fresh or even if you drink any type of unfiltered water that you could be putting your body at risk for a parasite to invade it? You even increase your chance of a possible parasite invasion when you travel to Asia or Africa. There are times when the parasites might not show any kind of symptom at all but can kill you within a few weeks. If the symptoms do show then surgery might even be needed or either medicines to help kill the parasites.
Here are the top 10 parasites that invade humans.
10. African Eye Worm
This type of worm is a menatode also known as a loa loa. It can cause you to have an eye disease or skin disease. The worm will migrate throughout your subcutaneous tissue. These worms are mainly located in Africa. Vision is not actually affected by the worms but what happens is that it can be extremely painful whenever the worm starts to migrate. You will feel the migration and be in extreme pain.
Photo Source: wadsworth.org
9. Babesia
The Babesia is a parasite that is normally found only in animals but can also be found in humans. Babesia is also known as Babesiosis and can spread from the saliva of a tick bite. Some of the symptoms might be very similar to malaria. Over 100 different types of species have Babesia. The strain that is most common to humans is called Babesia Microti.
Photo Source: cdc.govl
8. Amoeba also known as Naegleria Fowleri
Amoeba is one of the worst kinds of parasites. It invades and attacks the human nervous system and can eat the brain. It tends to enjoy warm weather, swimming pools that might be contaminated and very shallow lakes. The infection from Amoeba spreads fast and within just a couple of weeks, a person could die from it. Treatment doesn’t help the progress much nor makes it better.
Photo Source: wikipedia.org
7. Blood flukes also known as a Flatworm
A blood fluke is known as a flatworm or either called a Schistosoma. This horrible parasite enters into the body by people’s skin that has been in contact with waters that might be infested with it. Blood flukes can live inside a human vein. A lot of species tend to live more in Africa and in Asia. A freshwater snail represents the main host that is intermediate.
Photo Source: wikipedia.org
6. Hookworm
A hookworm is something I am sure that you’ve heard about but might not know exactly what it does. It’s a parasite worm that’s nematode and lives inside the intestines of mammals and humans. When infected by a hookworm some symptoms that a person might experience include fever, chest pain, coughing and even wheezing. Gastrointestinal systems are also very common but in time, they tend to improve.
Photo Source: wikipedia.org
5. Giardia
When you have unfiltered water or food that’s contaminated you are putting yourself at risk for letting in Giardias into your system. They go into your intestine and cause a variety of painful symptoms. When the symptoms are not treated, it can become deadly. Some of the symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, abdominal cramps and even excessive gas. It’s so important to make sure that your water is clean.
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4. Whipworm
A whipworm is usually found in warm regions. The infection often times happens when ingestion accidently happens in dry goods or eggs. Some of the dry goods include rice, a variety of grains, and even beans. A human’s big intestine is infected when this happens. Whipworms are part of the roundworm family.
Photo Source: cpah.com
3. Lice
I am sure that you did not expect to see lice on here but it is a parasite. There are three different types of lice. The one we most commonly hear about is head lice but there’s also pubic lice known as the crabs and body lice. Whenever lice invades the body or hair it can cause an excessive amount of scratching and make you feel extremely uncomfortable. Lice is also very contagious and another person can get it when they are in contact with you if they are not careful.
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2. Scabies
People often times call scabies the itch. This is another one that is contagious. It’s a skin infection that can cause extreme itching to take place. How do scabies occur? It’s caused by just a mite. How can scabies be contagious? When you scratch yourself then touch another person it can spread. It can spread on toilets, keyboards, towels, furniture, bedding and almost anywhere that the mite could have rubbed off on. Think about that the next time you use the public bathroom.
Photo Source: wikipedia.org
1. Tapeworm
Both humans and animals can become infected with tapeworm. Animals get infected when they graze in a pasture or either drink water that’s contaminated. Humans can also get tapeworm by meat that’s undercooked. Tapeworm can be treated easily but sometimes it can be extremely serious and more so if not recognized and the symptoms left untreated. Some systems include weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite and abdominal pain.
Photo Source: wikipedia.org
Conclusion
Some of these parasites can be prevented by just simply making sure that the meat is properly cooked and that you wash your hands often. If you even start to suspect that you might be a victim of a parasite living inside of you, seek medical attention immediately because you never know when it might become deadly.