There are various parasites that live in the human body, disrupting the functioning of internal organs and the entire body as a whole. People knew about helminths in ancient times, and for the first time they and the diseases associated with them were described by Hippocrates.
Today, science knows many parasites, but some of them are particularly common in the human body. They differ from each other in structure and ways of existence, but in order to develop and reproduce, they must penetrate the human body.
Depending on the type of structure, all parasites in humans are divided into several categories:
- roundworms;
- moat;
- adhesive tape
Let's take a closer look at the types of parasites listed in the human body.
Characteristics of roundworms
These parasites are called nematodes. Outwardly, they resemble earthworms, but differ in more pointed ends. Their sizes vary from one millimeter to 130 centimeters.
Many roundworms have a simple life cycle. After infection of the human body with nematodes, parasitic eggs emerge from the intestines, invisible to the naked eye.
When released into the environment, the eggs mature and then return to the human body through dirty food, water, or dirty hands. Roundworms hatch from them and begin to actively develop.
Parasites ubiquitous in the human body are divided into several subspecies, including:
- Pinworms. The most common parasite that is easily transmitted between people through shared objects. The development of these nematodes in the body creates severe discomfort in the form of itching around the anus.
- Roundworms. When they are massively infected, they are dangerous for health. These are worms reaching a length of 25 cm. After maturation, the larvae spread throughout the body and internal organs into the blood.
- Trichinella. These small roundworms measure up to 5mm long. Developing in the intestines, they lay larvae. Subsequently, they enter the blood vessels and spread throughout the body.
- Wired. They are mainly distributed in warm countries and their carriers are insects.
Pests - flukes
Trematodes are parasites of the human body whose symptoms are not always clearly visible. These are flatworms measuring up to 8 centimeters long, which have suction cups on their bodies to feed the parasites.
Flukes have a complex life cycle and change hosts several times. The eggs develop in bodies of water, after which they enter the body of the mollusk to undergo metamorphosis. When the modified larvae emerge from the molluscs, they enter the bodies of crustaceans or fish, where they are modified again.
Flukes enter the body of their final host, which is a person, with raw or undercooked meat of cancerous species or fish.
Among the most popular trematodes are:
- Opisthorchis. People become infected with these parasites by eating lightly salted or undercooked/undercooked carp or stroganina.
- Chinese luck. It affects many fish and crustaceans living in Primorye and the waters of Japan. The parasite affects the bile and bile ducts, pancreas and liver.
- Paragonimiasis. This causes a dangerous disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and even the brain. People who eat undercooked freshwater crabs and crayfish become infected with it.
- Schistosomiasis. Parasites are usually found in tropical countries, and the larvae actively penetrate through human skin when swimming, as well as when water from a reservoir enters the mouth.
Band parasites (worms)
We have almost figured out what parasites exist in the human body, but there are still tapeworms, which also come in different types:
- bull tapeworm. It can reach 10 meters in length and people become infected by eating lightly heat-treated beef. Housewives sometimes become infected while testing raw minced meat to determine the amount of spices or salt added. After entering the body, the larva turns into saltpeter, which attaches to the intestinal wall and causes weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia and dizziness in humans.
- pork tapeworm. It is smaller (up to 2 meters long) and can be infected by eating undercooked pork.
- Large tapeworm. The length of this parasite varies between 6 and 15 meters. It is usually contracted by eating raw freshwater fish. Weakness, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and other symptoms appear.
- Echinococcus. A dangerous helminth that can be contracted by cats and dogs carrying the parasite. In the human body, larvae emerge from eggs and are carried with the blood to various organs, including the liver. Subsequently, echinococcal cysts form, which are dangerous for health and require surgical intervention.
We looked at what parasites live in the human body, but not all of them are known helminths. Study the symptoms of a parasite infestation and if you find any, see the doctor for a diagnosis.