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 especially common in the human body. They differ from each other in structure and mode of existence, but for development and reproduction they need to enter the human body.
Based on the type of structure, all human parasites are divided into several categories:
- roundworms;
- worms;
- tape
Let us consider in more detail the listed types of parasites in the human body.
Characteristics of roundworms
These parasites are called nematodes. Outwardly, they resemble earthworms, but differ in sharper tips. Their sizes vary from one millimeter to 130 centimeters.
Many roundworms have a simple life cycle. After infection of the human body by nematodes, parasite eggs emerge from the intestines, invisible to the naked eye.
When released into the environment, the eggs mature and return to the human body through unwashed food, water, or unwashed hands. Roundworms hatch from them and begin to develop actively.
All round parasites of the human body are divided into several subspecies, including:
- Earthworms. 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 massively infected, they are dangerous to health. These are worms that reach 25 cm in length and, after maturation, the larvae spread throughout the body and internal organs in the blood.
- Trichinella. These small roundworms are up to 5 mm long. Developing in the intestines, they deposit larvae. They subsequently penetrate the blood vessels and spread throughout the body.
- Filaria. They are distributed mainly in hot countries and their carriers are insects.
Parasites - worms
So-called trematodes are parasites of the human body, the symptoms of which are not always clearly visible. They are flatworms 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. Eggs develop in bodies of water, after which they enter the body of the mollusk for metamorphosis. When the modified larvae emerge from the molluscs, they enter the body of the crustaceans or fish, where they are modified again.
The worms enter the body of their final host, which is a person, with raw or undercooked meat from carcinogenic 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 chance. It affects many fish and crustaceans living in Primorye and the waters of Japan. The parasite affects the bile and bile ducts, the 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 become infected with it.
- Schistosomiasis. Parasites are usually found in tropical countries, and larvae actively enter through human skin when swimming, as well as when water from a reservoir enters the mouth.
Ribbon parasites (worms)
We have almost found out which 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 low-heat-treated beef. Sometimes housewives become infected when testing raw minced meat to check the amount of seasoning 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 in size (up to 2 meters in length) and can be infected by eating undercooked pork.
- Wide 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 occur.
- Echinococcus. A dangerous helminth that can be contracted by dogs and cats that carry the parasite. In the human body, larvae emerge from eggs and are transported with the blood to various organs, mainly the liver. Subsequently, echinococcal cysts form, which are dangerous to health and require surgical intervention.
We have seen which parasites live in the human body, but not all of them are known helminths. Study the symptoms of parasitic infestation and if you find any, go to the doctor for diagnosis.