Types of human parasites

Various parasites live in the human body and can disrupt the function of internal organs and the entire body. People have known about worms since antiquity, with Hippocrates first describing them and the diseases associated with them.Today, science knows many parasites, but some are particularly common in humans. They vary in structure and mode of existence, but in order to develop and reproduce, they need to enter the human body.All parasites in the human body are divided into several categories based on the type of structure:

• roundworms;
• lucky;
• tape

Let's consider the listed types of internal parasites in humans in more detail.

Characteristics of roundworms

These parasites are so-called nematodes. In appearance, they resemble earthworms, but differ in that they have sharper ends. Their sizes range from 1 mm to 130 cm.The life cycle of many roundworms is simple. When a human is infected with nematodes, parasitic eggs will be produced in the intestines, which are invisible to the naked eye.When released into the environment, the eggs mature and are returned to the body through dirty food, water, or dirty hands. The roundworm hatches from it and begins to actively develop.Systemic parasites in humans are divided into several subspecies, including:

• Pinworm. The most common parasite, it is easily spread from person to person through shared objects. The growth of these nematodes in the body can cause severe discomfort of itching around the anus.
• roundworms. When infected on a large scale, they can be harmful to health. They are worms that can reach a length of 25 centimeters. When mature, the larvae spread throughout the body and internal organs in the blood.
• Trichinella spiralis. These tiny roundworms are up to 5 mm long. They develop in the intestines and give birth to larvae. They then penetrate blood vessels and spread throughout the body.
• Filarial genus. They are mainly found in hot countries and their vectors are insects.

Parasites - Flukes

So-called flukes are parasites in the human body, the symptoms of which are not always clearly visible. These are flatworms that can be up to 8 centimeters long and have suckers on their bodies that absorb parasites.Flukes have a complex life cycle and change hosts multiple times. The eggs develop in a body of water and then enter the body of the mollusk to undergo metamorphosis. When the modified larvae emerge from molluscs, they enter the bodies of crustaceans or fish, where they are modified again.

Flukes enter the body of their final host (humans) through raw or undercooked flesh of carcinogenic species or fish.

The most popular flukes include:

• Opisthorchis. People become infected with these parasites by consuming lightly salted or undercooked/undercooked carp or sand fish.
• China's luck. It affects many fish and crustaceans living in Primorye and Japanese waters. The parasite affects the bile and bile ducts, pancreas and liver.
• paragonimiasis. It causes a dangerous disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and even the brain. People who eat undercooked freshwater crabs and crayfish can become infected.
• Schistosomiasis. The parasite is usually found in tropical countries, and the larvae actively enter through human skin when swimming and when water from reservoirs enters the mouth.

tape parasites (worms)

We’ve pretty much figured out what parasites are found in the human body, but there are still tapeworms, and they also come in different types:

• bull tapeworm. It can grow up to 10 meters in length and people become infected by eating beef that has been treated at low temperatures. Housewives sometimes become infected by testing raw minced meat for the amount of added spices or salt. After entering the human body, the larvae turn into saltpeter and adhere to the intestinal wall, causing weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, etc.
• pork tapeworm. It is small (up to 2 meters long) and can be contracted by eating undercooked pork.
• tapeworm. The length of this parasite ranges from 6-15 meters. It is usually contracted by eating raw freshwater fish. Symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain occur.
• Echinococcus. A dangerous parasite that can be contracted from cats and dogs that carry the parasite. In the human body, larvae hatch from eggs and are transported to various organs, especially the liver, along with the blood. Echinococcal cysts subsequently form, which are hazardous to health and require surgical intervention.

We study the parasites that live in the human body, but these are not all known worms. Research the symptoms of a parasitic infection and see your doctor for diagnosis if you notice any.