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 huge number of such 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 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, lice) or inside a living being (for example, 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 intruders in the human body. These include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes, which can cause diseases such as trematodes.
TOP 5 most famous parasites in the human body
- Pinworm - most often found among children's groups. In the human body, they parasitize in organs such as the large and small intestines. The eggs laid by her are not only in the body, but can also be transferred to bed linen and underwear, which makes her 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 a new parasite.
- Toksokara - most often we get an intruder from our beloved pets, primarily 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 who play in the sandbox, near which the dog was walking. This type of parasite is dangerous because it can penetrate almost all organs 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 begins to parasitize in the intestines, and then can travel through the blood vessels to other organs.
- The tapeworm is the largest parasite of those that are most common. Cases have been recorded when the extracted parasite reached several meters in length. The most common causes of infection are the 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, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Echinococcus can enter the body both with poorly washed food, raw water, and from animals. This parasite is dangerous because its larvae can travel to almost all organs. Gradually, they stop somewhere and transform into a cyst, which begins to put pressure 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 such as:
- 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", because basically these parasites 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 now it has been proven that these pests can cause fatal diseases. Most often they enter the body along with half raw seafood and fish.
- Schistosoma - this guest cannot be picked up in ordinary life, but when traveling somewhere in the tropics - it's elementary. Especially if you buy somewhere in a hot tropical climate in fresh water. Once in the human body, they can lead to anemia, inhibition and stunting, and a decrease in the ability to learn.
