Parasites are called lower organisms that are able to live in the body of a person or animal and feed on it. Scientists have a large number of such creatures, and each of them is dangerous in its own way and can cause various diseases.
Types of parasites in humans
All parasites can be distinguished according to several criteria:
- there are two large categories that differ depending on the structure of the body: unicellular (bacteria, viruses) and multicellular;
- parasites can live either on the surface of the body (for example, ticks) or inside living beings (for example, types of intestinal parasites: worms, etc. );
- according to the amount of time they are parasites: they can be permanent (almost all parasites that live in living things) and temporary (leeches, mites, which, after feeding, leave the body of living things).
The most common parasites that can infect humans include:
- helminthiases;
- protozoan invasion group;
- arthropodosis.
Helminthiases are the most frequent invaders in the human body. These include roundworms, tapeworms, and tapeworms, which can cause diseases such as trematodes.
TOP 5 most famous parasites in the human body
- Pinworm - most often found among children. In the human body, they parasitize in organs such as the large and small intestines. The eggs laid by it are not only in the body, but can also be transferred to bed linen and underwear, which makes it highly contagious. Moreover, the eggs are perfectly preserved for a long time in the external environment, although only 4-6 hours are enough for them to hatch new parasites.
- Toksokara - often we get invaders from our pets, especially dogs. The size of this creature is quite large - it can reach up to 0. 3 m in length. The eggs of this parasite are most often "picked up" by children playing in the sandbox, near where the dog walks. This type of parasite is dangerous because it can penetrate almost any organ and the consequences of its vital activity are irreversible.
- Ascaris is one of the common parasites that infects more people every day. It enters the human body most often along with poorly washed food, raw water, dirty hands and dust. Parasite eggs that enter the human body gradually begin to become parasites in the intestine, and then can travel through the blood vessels to other organs.
- Tapeworms are the largest and most common parasites. Cases have been recorded when the extracted parasites reached several meters in length. The most common cause of infection is the consumption of salted fish, crayfish and caviar. If after that you notice alarming symptoms in yourself in the form of fatigue, increased salivation in the morning, nausea and lethargy, you should immediately see a doctor.
- Echinococcus can enter the body with poorly washed food, raw water, and from animals. This parasite is dangerous because its larvae can move to almost any organ. Gradually, they stop somewhere and turn into cysts, which begin to put pressure on nearby tissues.
The most dangerous and rare parasite
Along with the "traditional" parasitic organisms, which are well-known and easy to treat, there are also more dangerous and rare species. These include parasites such as:
- Bull tapeworm - this parasite can live in the human body for most of its life and can be larger than a tapeworm. On average, according to scientists, the size of an adult parasite can reach from 4 to 40 meters in length.
- Filaria is a more exotic parasite that can be found in tropical countries. Once in the human body, it leads to the blockage of lymphatic vessels, which causes the limbs to begin to reach a large size. This is the main reason for the development of "elephantiasis", because basically this parasite affects the lower limbs.
- Anisakid is the latest discovery by scientists. Previously, there was information that this parasite is not dangerous because it cannot grow in the human body. But now it has been proven that these pests can cause fatal diseases. Often they enter the body together with half-raw seafood and fish.
- Schistosoma - this guest cannot be invited in ordinary life, but when traveling somewhere in the tropics - it is fundamental. Especially if you buy somewhere in a hot tropical climate in fresh water. Once in the human body, they can cause anemia, inhibition and stunting, and a decrease in the ability to learn.
