Parasites can make people extremely ill. If someone is pregnant and acquires a parasite, doctors will closely monitor both patient and the baby to be, micro-managing care so as not to harm the fetus.
One of the hazards of a parasitic infection for those in the United States is their relative rarity. A medical professional may not be familiar with it, and the patient may not even know they have the infection. That makes it difficult for doctors to ascertain what’s wrong.
If you suspect your illness may have stemmed from something you ate in a foreign country or during recent travel, it is important to mention that when presenting with symptoms so that the doctor may further investigate the cause and effects of the illness. Fortunately, drugs can kill most parasites, but quickly identifying the issue goes a long way toward solving the problem.
TYPES OF PARASITES
There are three main types of intestinal parasites: the protozoa, the helminths and the ectoparasites
1) The protozoa are one-celled organisms that are able to multiply in humans. They can develop from a single organism, making them particularly hard to detect in the early stages of infection. They are usually transmitted via fecal to oral contact (i.e, contaminated preparation in the kitchen), then live on in the blood or tissue. They can be transmitted between humans by insect bites from a mosquito or sand fly. Giardia and cryptosporidium are the two most common protozoa.
2) Helminth are many-celled worms. Roundworms, pinworms, or tapeworms are the most common types seen in the United States. Adult helminths can’t multiply in the human body.