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 these creatures, and each of them is dangerous in its own way and can cause a wide variety of diseases.
Types of parasites in humans
All parasites can be distinguished according to several criteria:
- there are two broad categories that differ depending on the structure of the body: unicellular (bacteria, viruses) and multicellular;
- parasites can live on the surface of the body (eg, lice) or inside a living being (eg, types of intestinal parasites: worms, etc. );
- by the amount of time they parasitize: they can be permanent (almost all parasites that live inside living beings) and temporary (leeches, mites, which, after being fed, leave the body of a living being).
The most common parasites that humans can infect include:
- helminthiases;
- group of protozoan invasions;
- arthropodosis.
Helminthiases are the most frequent invaders in the human body. These include roundworms, tapeworms, and tapeworms, which can cause diseases such as flukes.
TOP 5 most famous parasites in the human body
- Pinworm - most often found among groups of children. In the human body, they parasitize in organs such as the large and small intestines. The eggs laid by her don't just stay in the body, but can also be transferred to bedding and underwear, which makes her highly contagious. In addition, the eggs are perfectly preserved for a long time in the external environment, although only 4-6 hours are enough for a new parasite to hatch.
- Toksokara - most of the time we get an intruder from our beloved pets, mostly 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 "caught" by children playing in the litter box, near which the dog was walking. This type of parasite is dangerous because it can penetrate almost any organ and the consequences of its vital activity can be irreversible.
- Ascaris is one of the common parasites that infects more and more people every day. It enters the human body most often along with poorly washed food, raw water, dirty hands and dust. The parasite egg that enters the human body gradually starts to parasitize in the intestines, and then it can travel through the blood vessels to other organs.
- The tapeworm is the largest of the most common parasites. Cases have been recorded when the extracted parasite reached several meters in length. The most common causes of infection are consumption of salted fish, crayfish and caviar. If after that you notice alarming symptoms in yourself in the form of exhaustion, increased salivation in the morning, nausea and lethargy, immediately consult a doctor.
- Echinococcus can enter the body with poorly washed food, raw water and animals. This parasite is dangerous because its larvae can travel to almost any organ. Gradually, they stop somewhere and turn into a cyst, which begins to press on nearby tissues.
The most dangerous and rare parasites
Along with the "traditional" parasitic organisms, which are well known and easily treatable, there are also more dangerous and rare species. These include parasites like:
- Bull tapeworm - this parasite can live in the human body for almost its entire life and can be much larger than the 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 clogging of the lymphatic vessels, due to which the limbs begin to reach gigantic sizes. This is the main reason for the development of "elephantiasis", as these parasites basically affect the lower limbs.
- Anisakid is a recent discovery by scientists. Previously, there was information that these parasites are not dangerous due to the fact that they cannot develop in the human body. But it is now proven that these pests can cause fatal diseases. Most often, they enter the body along with half of raw seafood and fish.
- Schistosoma - this guest cannot be caught in ordinary life, but when traveling somewhere in the tropics - it is elemental. Especially if you shop somewhere in a hot tropical climate in fresh water. Once in the human body, they can lead to anemia, inhibition and dwarfism, and a decrease in the ability to learn.
