There's a myth that intestinal parasites and parasitic diseases are rare and hard to contract. These microscopic hitchhikers are more common than you think, and they don't only affect your digestive tract. Symptoms of a parasite often manifest as gastrointestinal distress, but that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Even though the thought of having a parasite is pretty unpleasant, parasites are far more common than you might think. We actually see quite a few cases of them here at Westchester Health.
Globally, due to intestinal parasitic infections, around 3.5 billion people are affected and more than 200,000 deaths are reported annually.
Fecal testing (examination of your stool) can identify both helminths and protozoa. Stool samples must be collected before you take any anti-diarrhea drugs or antibiotics, or before x-rays with barium are taken. Several stool samples may be needed to find the parasite.
Should You Be Worried? “While it is widely acknowledged that infections with some parasites can cause significant complications, not all parasites are cause for concern. Some symptoms caused by parasites can clear up on their own, and individuals with a healthy immune system may not experience any symptoms.
While Australia is free from many serious human parasitic diseases there are some parasites that we often encounter and are forced to deal with: Head lice. Dog Hookworm. Paralysis tick.
It is estimated that around 80% of both adults and children have parasites in their gut. People can be infected with these parasites in a number of ways. The most common route is through the faecal oral route.
Some parasitic infections disappear on their own, especially if your immune system is healthy and you eat a balanced diet. For parasites that don't go away on their own, your doctor will generally prescribe oral medication. This treatment is generally effective and proven to work.
Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
The good news is that most parasitic infections can be prevented, and many are treatable. However, these infections are often undetected and untreated because most people do not know they are infected or at risk, or don't have access to appropriate care.
Digestive problems including unexplained constipation, diarrhoea or persistent gas. Skin issues such as rashes, eczema, hives, and itching. Continuous muscle and joint pain. Fatigue, even when you get enough sleep.
Parasites are living things that use other living things - like your body - for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.
How long will symptoms last? Symptoms generally last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. In people with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to illness such as HIV), symptoms may last longer. Healthcare providers can prescribe the appropriate antiparasitic medications to help reduce the amount of time symptoms last.
Adult worms may live up to 17 years in the human body and can continue to make new microfilariae for much of this time.
However, parasitic infections still occur in the United States, and in some cases, affect millions of people. Often they can go unnoticed, with few symptoms. But many times these infections cause serious illnesses, including seizures, blindness, heart failure, and even death.
the parasite might be spread to other people through exposure to an infected person's blood (for example, by blood transfusion or by sharing needles or syringes contaminated with blood).
If you think you might have intestinal parasites, seek medical attention right away. Your healthcare provider may order tests (including stool tests) to identify the parasite. They'll also prescribe treatments and explain how to keep the problem from coming back.
Parasites can live in the intestines for years without causing symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following: Digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or gas.
For roundworms, you may find pieces of worms or large, live worms in your feces. For pinworms, you may see thin, white worms that appear like pieces of thread. Pinworms, which are about the length of a staple , are sometimes visible around the anal region at night, when females lay their eggs on the surrounding skin.
About half the world's population (over 3 billion people) are in infected with at least one of the three worms forming what Columbia University parasitologist Dickson Despommier calls the "unholy trinity"—large roundworm, hookworm and whipworm.
The most common intestinal protozoan parasites are: Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cyclospora cayetanenensis, and Cryptosporidium spp.
You can get infected by: touching objects or surfaces with worm eggs on them – if someone with worms does not wash their hands. touching soil or swallowing water or food with worm eggs in it – mainly a risk in parts of the world without modern toilets or sewage systems.