Parasites are lower organisms that can live and feed on the human or animal body. Scientists have a large number of such creatures, and each of them is dangerous in its own way and can cause different 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 the organism (for example, types of intestinal parasites: worms, etc. );
- according to the duration of parasitism: they can be permanent (almost all parasites living inside animals) and temporary (leeches and ticks that leave the body of an animal after feeding).
The most common parasites that can infect humans include:
- helminthiasis;
- protozoan invasion group;
- arthropodosis.
Helminths are the most common invaders of the human body. These include roundworms, tapeworms and flukes, which can cause diseases like trematodes.
TOP 5 most famous parasites in the human body
- Pinworm - most common among children. They parasitize organs such as the large and small intestine in the human body. The eggs it lays are not only on the body, but also on bedding and underwear, which makes it highly contagious. Moreover, the eggs are perfectly preserved in the external environment for a long time, although only 4-6 hours are enough for a new parasite to emerge.
- Toksokara - often we get an aggressor from our beloved pets, primarily dogs. The size of this creature is quite large - it can reach 0. 3 m in length. The eggs of this parasite are mostly "picked up" by children playing in the sandbox where the dog walks. 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 people every day. It enters the human body most often 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 pass through the blood vessels to other organs.
- Tapeworm is the largest parasite of the most common. Cases of the removed parasite reaching several meters in length have been recorded. The most common causes of infection are the consumption of salted fish, crayfish and caviar. After that, if 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 from poorly washed food, raw water, and animals. This parasite is dangerous because its larvae can go to almost all organs. Gradually, they stop together and turn into a cyst that begins to put pressure on nearby tissues.
The most dangerous and rare parasites
In addition to the well-known and easily treated "traditional" parasitic organisms, 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 a tapeworm. On average, according to scientists, the size of an adult parasite can be between 4 and 40 meters.
- Filaria is a more exotic parasite found in tropical countries. Once in the human body, it causes blockage of the lymphatic vessels, thanks to which the limbs begin to grow to gigantic sizes. This is the main reason for the development of "elephant", because mainly these parasites affect the lower limbs.
- Anisakid is the latest discovery of scientists. Previously, there were reports that these parasites are not dangerous because they cannot develop in the human body. But now it has been proven that these pests can cause deadly diseases. Often they enter the body together with semi-raw seafood and fish.
- Schistosoma - this guest cannot be taken in ordinary life, but when traveling somewhere in the tropics - it is elementary. Especially if you buy somewhere in a warm tropical climate in fresh water. After entering the human body, they can cause anemia, retardation and growth, and reduced learning ability.
