The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes that of all the infections caused by parasites in America, about 90 percent of those are due to protozoa. The World Health Organization estimates that protozoan parasites are responsible for 12 million disease cases worldwide. Your body acts as a host for over 100 different parasites, some of which you might not even be aware of. Worms, ticks, fleas and mites are other types of parasites that might infect you.
Sources
A parasite depends on a host's tissues or cells for its nutritional requirements. Human parasites, which have evolved over a period of time to penetrate your body system, can be found in all environments and geographies. The most common sources where parasites thrive are in contaminated drinking water and food. Insects, pets and other humans also act as carriers of parasites. Soil and air are also sources for parasites such as airborne viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Types
Various types of parasites that affect human beings are amoebas and protozoa. These are visible only under a microscope, while parasites like worms and flukes are visible to the naked eye. Microscopic parasites pose a greater threat to your health, as only a pathological test can determine their presence. These parasites usually find their way into your body when you consume contaminated water or food.
Worms or the macroscopic parasites that you might get infected with include pinworms, hookworms, roundworms and the tapeworms. Blood-sucking parasites such as lice, fleas, ticks and mites, which survive on human blood, are referred to as ectoparasites. Since these parasites bite you to suck your blood, they can inject various disease-causing pathogens into your body while doing so. Scabies is an apt example.
Common Protozoan Parasites
Protozoa are the other set of parasites that can affect a person's body system. The most commonly found varieties of protozoa are the giardia lamblia, entamoeba histolytica and helminthes. According to the CDC, giardia is estimated to infect 2 million Americans annually. Out of 6,000 specimens of feces tested annually in the U.S., one-third of them tested positive for intestinal parasites. The parasites of the protozoan family cause various gastrointestinal and pathology infections.
Symptoms of Parasitic Infections
Parasites not only affect your immune system, but also other bodily functions. For example, a fish tapeworm depletes the level of vitamin B12 in your body. This affects the functioning of the central nervous system. Most parasites go undetected in your body during their incubation periods. However, as time progresses, these parasites start affecting you. Symptoms of parasitic infections include diarrhea, chest pain, food allergies and constant hunger.
Treatment
The proper treatment for a parasitic infection can only be initiated once it has been analyzed pathologically. As an example, a stool specimen is scrutinized for the presence of any parasites, cysts or eggs. Blood, saliva, urine and spinal fluids are all tested for determining the cause of a parasitic infection. It is only after the parasite has been correctly identified that your doctor can recommend the standard method to destroy or remove this parasite from your body. The ultimate goal is to purify your entire body from any living parasites, toxic byproducts or eggs left behind. Finally, the treatment should restore affected tissues, organs or systems to a healthy state.
