Parasites are organisms that feed on other organisms (hosts) to survive. Some parasites don’t intentionally affect their hosts, whereas there are others that reproduce, grow, or invade organ systems that result in the sickness of the host with a parasitic infection
Causes of parasitic infections
Parasitic infections are caused mainly due to three types of organisms, such as:
- High fever
- Protozoa: Single-celled organisms that can multiply inside a human body.
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Helminths: Multi-celled organisms that live inside or outside of the human body. They are commonly worms like tapeworms, flatworms, roundworms, and thorny-headed worms.
- Ectoparasites: Multi-celled organisms that feed off or live on our skin. They are mostly insects and arachnids like fleas, mosquitos, mites, and ticks.
Symptoms of parasitic infections
The symptoms of parasitic infection are mostly dependent on the host or organism they live off. Some of the prominently noticed symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
When to see a doctor
If you notice the symptoms of a parasitic infection that last longer than a couple of days, make an appointment with your doctor. The first stage of diagnosis involves various laboratory tests like a blood test, urine test, skin test, stool test, or phlegm test.
