Parasites Causing Human Diseases: A parasite is a creature that lives on or in its host and feeds on or at the expense of that host. Protists, bacteria, viruses, fungus, plants, and mammals are all examples of parasites. Parasites are thought to make up 40% of all animal species. Some parasites (ectoparasites) dwell on their hosts, while others (endoparasites) reside inside them.
In most cases, parasites enter the body through the mouth or the skin. Doctors diagnose infection by analyzing or sending samples of blood, stool, urine, sputum, or other contaminated tissue to a laboratory for investigation.
In most cases, parasites are smaller than their hosts.
Parasites range in size from microscopic one-celled organisms known as protozoa to large worms visible to the human eye. In the United States, parasite diseases can be found. Giardia infections can be spread via contaminated water. Toxoplasmosis, which is harmful to pregnant women, can be transmitted by cats. Others, like malaria, are widespread in other parts of the globe.
Examples- Amoeba, Euglena, and paramecium
Examples- Tapeworm, Fleas, and Roundworms
Examples- Louse, cat flea, and crab louse
Parasitic individuals can be found in many invertebrate groups. Fleas, ticks, parasitic mites, leeches, worms (e.g. roundworms), and parasitic flies are well-known parasites (e.g. mosquitoes). Stylos are wasps, bees, and insect parasites. The female looks like a larval and spends its whole life cycle inside the host. The winged, free-living males use scent to find females and mate with the little piece of the female that protrudes from the host.
Symbiosis is a natural phenomenon when two individuals of different species live near one another.
In the tropics and subtropics, as well as in more temperate climes, parasitic infections impose a huge burden of disease. Malaria is the parasite disease that kills the most people worldwide. Malaria claims the lives of about 400,000 people each year.
Parasitic disorders such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and Guinea worm disease are among the Neglected Tropical Diseases which have received little attention from the public health community. NTDs afflict around 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in low-income nations’ rural areas. These diseases significantly impact endemic populations, including the decreased capacity to attend school or work, stunted growth in children, impairment of cognitive skills and development in early childhood, and a significant economic burden on entire countries.
Parasitic illnesses have different symptoms depending on the parasite. Listed below are a few examples:
Diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and bloating, gas, nausea, exhaustion, and weight loss are all signs of a Giardia infection (giardiasis). However, not everyone with the virus exhibits symptoms, and they may inadvertently spread the infection to others.
Wear gloves when working with animals or in areas where animal excrement may be present, such as gardens, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Drink exclusively from sealed bottles when travelling or in a region where food or water may be polluted. Avoid using ice cubes in your drinks since they may not have been manufactured with pure water. Also, eat only things that have been completely cooked. Fruit that has been washed with clean water and has peels may be okay to consume.
A parasite is a creature that lives on or in its host and feeds on or at the expense of that host.
Parasitic individuals can be found in many invertebrate groups. Fleas, ticks, parasitic mites, leeches, worms and parasitic flies are some well-known parasites.
Infections caused by parasites are diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and bloating gas, nausea, exhaustion, and weight loss.
Parasites are classified into three categories