Do you have a parasite in your body? (Parasites) Let's find out about this!

Do you sometimes feel like there's something wrong with your body, like a stomach problem, or just a feeling of being unwell? Sometimes the cause of these things can be a small but annoying organism living in our body. We call these people parasites. Don't worry, we'll talk about this in detail today.

What exactly are parasites?

Simply put, a parasite is an organism that lives inside, on, or in association with another organism (we call it the host). These parasites get their food, drink, and growth from the host they live with. But while living this way, they harm the host. But the amazing thing is, these parasites need the host to survive. That's why they don't kill the host most of the time. However, they can cause various diseases, some of which can be life-threatening.

What happens when a parasite enters the body?

If a parasite enters your body, it feeds, grows, and reproduces in a way that harms your body. That means they can suck your energy, damage your tissues, or even produce toxins in your body.

What are the main types of parasites?

There are three main types of parasites that cause disease in humans. Let's take a look at what they are.

1. Ectoparasites

These are parasites that live outside the host's body, that is, on the skin . Often, these people act as vectors of diseases. That is, they help spread diseases from animals to humans, or from humans to humans. Most of the time, these people spread diseases by sucking blood.

Think about animals like these:

• Fleas: Small, wingless insects. But they are very good at jumping, because they have strong hind legs. We can get infected by being bitten by an infected flea, or by accidentally swallowing an infected flea.
• Head lice and pubic lice / crabs: These are flat , round insects. They move around by crawling. Head lice live in the hair on the head. The other type is called ``Pubic lice`` or ``crabs``. They live in the hair around the genital area. Both types of lice are spread from one person to another through close contact. This can happen during sex or when sharing bedding, pillows, or towels.
• Mites: A group of tiny, eight-legged creatures related to spiders and ticks. Smaller than a millimeter. Think about the height of 10 leaves stacked on top of each other! Some species can cause diseases like scabies .
• Ticks: These are also eight-legged creatures, like mites. They don't usually hurt or itch when they bite. They bite and sometimes burrow into the skin. They are common in forests and grassy areas.

2. Types of worms (Helminths)

These are parasitic worms . They usually live in your digestive system (Gastrointestinal tract / GI tract) . That is, inside your stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, which are the organs that run from your mouth to your anus. When they are full-grown, these worms can be seen with the naked eye. They can range in size from a millimeter to a meter (a little over 39 inches long, about the width of a door).

The main types of worms that affect humans are:

• Flukes / Trematodes: These are a type of flatworm. They can be spread through contaminated water or by aquatic animals such as snails, crabs, and fish. There are many types of these flatworms. They can cause infections in your blood, bladder, liver, lungs, and intestines.
• Tapeworms (Tapeworms / Cestodes): Adult tapeworms are long, flat worms. They live in the intestines. They feed on the nutrients we get from the food we eat. They reproduce by laying eggs inside the host's body. The eggs are then passed out in the host's stool. They can be transmitted through contaminated food and drink, as well as undercooked meat and fish.
• Roundworms / Nematodes: These are small parasites that live in your intestines. They are spread through infected feces or soil. There are many types of these roundworms.

3. Protozoans

These are single-celled organisms that we can't see without a microscope. They can live in your intestines, blood, or tissues. They can be spread through contaminated food and drink, through person-to-person contact, or by being bitten by an infected person.

There are tens of thousands of types of protozoa. Experts classify them based on how they move around. The main types that affect humans are:

• Amoeba: These people move around by forming temporary "false feet" (pseudopods). The amoeba (Entamoeba histolytica) causes dysentery .
• Ciliates: These move around and collect food using many short, hair-like structures (cilia). The only ciliate that affects humans is Balantidium coli. It also causes diarrhea.
• Flagellates: These are the ones that move around and sense their surroundings by using one or more whip-like flagella. Giardia intestinalis causes Giardiasis . Trypanosoma brucei causes sleeping sickness .
• Sporozoans (Sporozoans / Apicomplexan): These are immobile adults. They feed on the host's digested food or bodily fluids. Plasmodium causes malaria . Cryptosporidium causes cryptosporidiosis.It is developing.

How common are these parasitic infections?

Parasites and parasitic infections are very common . They affect millions of people worldwide. Many people don't even know they have an infection because they have few symptoms. For some, it can lead to serious illness.

How do you know if you have a parasite in your body? What are the symptoms?

Because there are so many types of parasites, symptoms can vary. However, there are a few common symptoms that can be seen:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Chills
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Skin rash

The important thing is, you can have a parasite and not have any symptoms. Or, symptoms can appear a long time after you've been infected. Sometimes, you can pass the parasite on to someone else without any symptoms, and that other person can develop symptoms.

What foods can harbor parasites?

These are the foods that are most likely to harbor parasites:

• Meat and fish, whether eaten raw or undercooked.
• Fruits and vegetables that are eaten raw or not washed properly.
• Water-rich plants that are eaten raw (e.g., water spinach).
• Unpasteurized milk and juices.

How do we get parasites?

Common causes of parasitic infections include:

• Hanging out in areas known to be infected with parasites.
• Contact with things like dirty water, food, soil, blood, and feces.
• Not washing your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking anything.
• Not bathing often and not cleaning your body.
• Weak immune system .
• Biting infected insects.
• Having sex.

How do I know for sure if I have a parasite? (Diagnosis)

If you have symptoms of a parasitic infection, a doctor may ask you questions like:

• "When did you start having these symptoms?"
• "Are these symptoms persistent, or do they come and go?"
• "Do any of your friends or family members who you spend time with have any of these characteristics?"
• "Have you traveled anywhere recently?"
• "Do you live near a forest or near tall grass?"
• "Do your pets hang out outside a lot?"
• "Did you eat raw or undercooked animal meat?"
• "Do you drink unpasteurized milk or juice?"

Then, your doctor will order several tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include:

Physical examination

The doctor will examine your body. He will look for any areas that are itchy, where insects have bitten you, or for any wounds. Depending on the type of parasite, you may also see the parasite in your hair, skin, or clothing.

Fecal exam / Stool culture

This helps to detect parasites in your intestines. Over a period of several days, you will need to collect three or more stool samples. The samples are sent to a lab, where they are checked for parasites and their eggs.

Enteroscopy or Colonoscopy

If the stool test doesn't identify the parasite, your doctor may recommend an enteroscopy or colonoscopy. In these tests, a long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera on the end is inserted into your body. In an enteroscopy, the tube is inserted through your mouth and into your small intestine. In a colonoscopy, the tube is inserted through your rectum and into your large intestine. These tests are performed by a gastroenterologist.

Blood tests

Some parasites can be detected through blood tests. The doctor will take a small amount of blood using a small needle (called a ``blood smear'') and perform one or two tests:

• (Blood smear): A drop of your blood is placed on a microscope slide and looked at under a microscope.
• (Serology): Your blood sample is checked for antibodies or antigens that indicate the presence of a particular parasite. Antibodies are proteins that your body makes to fight off infections. Antigens are foreign substances that enter your body. When these are present, the immune system activates and tries to get rid of them.

Imaging tests

Some parasites can cause lesions in the structures of your intestines. Your doctor may do X-rays, an MRI scan, or a CT scan to see if there is any damage to your organs.

How to treat parasites? (Treatment)

Your treatment will depend on the type of parasite you have. Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antiparasitic drugs
• Antibiotics
• Shampoos ( e.g. for lice)
• Types of Ointments

The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.If that doesn't work, your parasite may come back.

When treating external parasites (like lice, fleas, and ticks), your doctor will often recommend doing the following:

• Apply soap and take a good bath.
• Wash your clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water.
• Vacuum things like carpets, mattresses, and furniture, and put the vacuum bag in an outside trash can.

What else can you do to get rid of parasites quickly?

Along with prescribed medications, strengthening your immune system can help you get rid of parasites faster. This can be done through diet and supplements. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any other treatments , as they may interact with other medications you are taking.

These foods and supplements can help eliminate parasites from your diet or stop their growth:

• Beetroot
• Carrot
• Foods rich in fiber
• Raw white onions
• Pure honey
• Pumpkin seeds
• Probiotics
• Digestive enzymes
• Vitamin C
• Zinc

Also, it's a good idea to drink plenty of water to flush these things out of your system.

Do parasites get better on their own?

Some parasites will clear up on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system and eat a balanced diet. However, if you have symptoms of a parasite infection, be sure to talk to a doctor. He or she can make an accurate diagnosis and help you prevent the parasite from spreading to others.

What to expect if you have a parasite?

It depends on the type of parasite you have. If you are properly diagnosed and treated, most people will recover completely. However, if you don't get treatment, you can develop a severe infection and experience severe symptoms.

How to avoid parasitic infections? (Prevention)

Following these tips will help you avoid parasitic infections:

• Wash your hands often with clean water and an antibacterial soap, especially before eating, after handling raw meat or fish, and after touching feces (e.g., when changing a child's diaper, picking up a pet's feces).
• Bathe regularly. Bathe thoroughly with hot water and soap. Wash your hair, the backs of your hands and feet, between your fingers, your genitals, your belly button, and inside and behind your ears.
• Drink clean water. If you are unsure about the purity of your water, drink bottled water. If you drink water from lakes, ponds, or streams, boil it thoroughly for at least a minute before drinking.
• Cook meat and fish thoroughly to the recommended internal temperature. If you can't do that, avoid eating them.
• Wash your personal items regularly. Wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water with detergent. Dry in the dryer on a hot cycle.
• Protect yourself from insects. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going to forests or grassy areas. Apply insect repellent containing `DEET` to clothing and exposed skin.
• After you come back from being outside, check your body for insects. Check your hair, the area where your waistband is, the backs of your legs, and your back.
• Check your pets regularly. Remove any insects with a fine-toothed comb. Ask your veterinarian about preventative products to give your pets.
• Practice safe sex. Always use a condom during sex. Condoms can prevent the spread of a parasite called `(Trichomonas vaginalis)`. It is because of this that the disease called Trichomoniasis (Trichomoniasis / Trich) is caused.

When should I see a doctor? / When should I go to the hospital urgently?

If you have symptoms of a parasitic infection, or if you still have symptoms after treatment, be sure to see a doctor.

If your symptoms get worse quickly, go to a hospital (ETU) immediately.

Important questions to ask the doctor

• "What type of parasite do I have?"
• "How did I get this parasite?"
• "Do I have symptoms of a disease caused by this parasite?"
• "What treatment do you recommend?"
• "What should I do if my symptoms don't get better?"
• "How can I prevent this parasite from spreading to others?"

It's normal to feel a little upset when you find out you have a parasite in your body. However, that doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. Most parasites are easily transmitted from person to person. If you have symptoms of a parasite, it's important to see a doctor, get an accurate diagnosis, and get treatment. Don't forget to follow your doctor's instructions carefully to prevent spreading the parasite to others.

In summary, the take-home message

Okay, so from what we've talked about today, you can see how much parasites, no matter how small, can wreak havoc on our bodies. The most important thing is to take care of cleanliness, be careful when preparing and eating food, and seek medical advice immediately if you feel anything strange. There's nothing to worry about, most parasitic infections can be cured if treated properly. It's important to keep these things in mind for your own health and that of your family.

Parasites , infections, worms, ectoparasites, symptoms, treatment, prevention