There are many different types of diseases caused by parasitic infections, known as parasitic diseases. Parasitic diseases happen when a parasite attaches to a human host, resulting in an infection and ensuing disease. While some parasites don’t result in an infection and disease, others do and can even reproduce and live long lives in their human hosts.
Parasitic diseases can happen to anyone, including children. In fact, some parasites are more commonly found in children than adults because children aren’t aware of the dangers that parasites present or how to avoid them. The risks and ramifications of parasitic diseases depend on the type of parasite in question and the affected person’s immune system.
In the same way that the damage caused by a parasite depends on the type of parasite doing the damage, so too can the signs and symptoms of parasitic diseases vary greatly. Additionally, parasitic diseases can occur on the skin’s surface, in the GI system, the brain, and in other parts of the body. Symptoms will manifest differently depending on the part of the body being affected.
Lice is the most common parasitic skin disease and can happen on any part of the skin, but the head is the most common.
Giardia is the most common GI parasitic disease and is the result of drinking contaminated or dirty water. Here are some of the symptoms GI parasites can cause.
Many parasitic diseases result from tapeworms and similar parasites. These can affect the brain, heart, abdomen, and other major organs and parts of the body. These parasites result in many painful symptoms, including fever, nausea, confusion, headaches, weight loss, heart problems, and more.
Just as there are many different symptoms depending on the parasitic disease, there are many different causes and risk factors. In general, however, parasitic diseases are always caused by a foreign parasite that invades the body and causes an infection. Here are some of the most common ways this happens.
Everyone is potentially at risk for contracting parasitic diseases, but some are at higher risk than others. People who live in subtropical, damp, and moist areas are at higher risk. You also have a greater chance of disease if you don’t have access to clean water or eat undercooked meat. A compromised immune system also puts you at higher risk and could worsen the effects of parasitic diseases.
While there are many different types, causes, and symptoms of parasitic diseases, they’re often diagnosed the same way.
Blood tests are useful for determining the presence of specific parasites but aren’t useful as a broad-spectrum test.
Stool samples are a great way to check for the presence of parasites and parasitic eggs.
Various imaging tests, including X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CAT scans, and endoscopies, can physically locate parasites.
A doctor can use these tests, your physical symptoms, and your health history to determine the presence of parasitic diseases in children.
Regardless of what is causing your parasitic disease, your treatment will usually involve medications to kill the parasite and relieve uncomfortable symptoms. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the parasite physically, but this is a last resort. In less severe cases, your doctor may also hold off on treatment to wait and see if the infection will resolve on its’ own.