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Parasites are living things that use other living things - like your body - for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.

Parasites range in size from tiny, one-celled organisms called protozoa to worms that can be seen with the naked eye. Some parasitic diseases occur in the United States. Contaminated water supplies can lead to Giardia infections. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for pregnant women. Others, like malaria, are common in other parts of the world.

If you are traveling, it's important to drink only water you know is safe. Prevention is especially important. There are no vaccines for parasitic diseases. Some medicines are available to treat parasitic infections.

Symptoms of Parasitic Diseases

The following features are indicative of Parasitic Diseases:
  • moderate to severe shaking chills
  • high fever
  • sweating
  • headache
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • foul-smelling diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • abdominal cramps
  • bloating
  • gas
  • nausea
  • weight loss
It is possible that Parasitic Diseases shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Parasitic Diseases

The following are the most common causes of Parasitic Diseases:
  • mosquito bite on human skin
  • transmission of parasite in the liver or into the bloodstream
  • swallowing contaminated water
  • eating contaminated food

Other Causes of Parasitic Diseases

The following are the less common causes of Parasitic Diseases:
  • exposure of infected blood from mother to unborn child
  • through blood transfusions
  • by sharing needles used to inject drugs

Risk Factors for Parasitic Diseases

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Parasitic Diseases:
  • people without access to safe drinking water
  • anal sex

Prevention of Parasitic Diseases

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Parasitic Diseases. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • limiting exposure to mosquitoes
  • spraying your home with insecticide
  • covering the skin
  • sleeping under a net
  • wash the hands properly
  • avoid drinking untreated water
  • use bottled water
  • avoid oral-anal sex

Occurrence of Parasitic Diseases

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Parasitic Diseases cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Parasitic Diseases can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Parasitic Diseases can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Parasitic Diseases:
  • Blood tests: To detect the presence of the parasite
  • Stool test: To examine the presence of parasites

Doctor for Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Parasitic Diseases:
  • Infectious disease specialist
  • Gastroenterologist

Complications of Parasitic Diseases if untreated

Yes, Parasitic Diseases causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Parasitic Diseases is left untreated:
  • cerebral malaria
  • breathing problems
  • organ failure
  • anemia
  • low blood sugar
  • dehydration
  • failure to thrive
  • lactose intolerance

Medicines for Parasitic Diseases

Below is the list of medicines used for Parasitic Diseases:

Self-care for Parasitic Diseases

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Parasitic Diseases:
  • Limiting exposure to mosquitoes
  • Spraying your home with insecticide
  • Covering your skin during night
  • Sleeping under a net

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Parasitic Diseases

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Parasitic Diseases:
  • Use traditional herbal medicines: Annona muricata, Mangifera indica, Kalanchoe pinnata Lam, Momordica charantia etc used as antipyretics or antimalarials

Patient Support for Treatment of Parasitic Diseases

The following actions may help Parasitic Diseases patients:
  • Health education strategies: Raises the awareness of malaria and provides the importance of control measures
  • Community participation: Lowers the incidence of malaria in some areas of the developing world

Time for Treatment of Parasitic Diseases

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Parasitic Diseases to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 4 weeks

Is Parasitic Diseases Infectious?

Yes, Parasitic Diseases is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • through blood transfusions
  • by sharing needles used to inject drugs
  • from mother to unborn child
  • by food sharing
  • contact with infected blood

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Parasitic Diseases.
Chagas Disease
Cryptosporidiosis
Foodborne Illness
Giardia Infections
Head Lice
Leishmaniasis
Lice
Malaria
Pinworms
Scabies
Toxoplasmosis
Traveler's Health
Trichomoniasis

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