Different organisms can inhabit the human body. Those that, by their vital activity, harm human health are called parasites. Parasites in the human body are not necessarily worms, they can also be other living organisms that cause harm to humans. Dangerous parasites can inhabit the entire territory of the earth. So what are parasites and how do they affect humans?
Types of parasites
There are more than 2000 representatives of parasite species in the human body. They are divided according to their type, mode of existence, methods of reproduction. There are also mandatory and optional parasites.
Forced parasites can only live in the host body. Mandatory intracellular parasites are completely dependent on their host, so they do not seriously harm it.
Optionally they can live part of their life cycle as alive, the rest can be kept in the host body. All of them can affect various internal organs and tissues. Some of them exist for a long time and at the same time do not manifest in any way. The appearance of others is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. Helminthiasis
Human helminthiasis is caused by various worms. At present, there are more than 300 species of helminths in humans. Found among worms, mandatory and optional parasites. Also, depending on the form of interaction of the parasite with the host organism, they are divided into two groups: ectoparasites and endoparasites. They belong to different classes and can parasitize in different organs. Worms in humans are one of the most common diseases; geohelminth worms are found more often. The appearance of worms in humans can be provoked, not only with dirty hands. You can be infected by pets, livestock, fish, and contaminated water. The disease depends on the types of worms that have entered the body. To understand what consequences worms can cause, you need to find out what worms are. By knowing what worms can cause and their characteristics, you can protect yourself from infection.
- Roundworms. Most worms in this class are parasitic. The main differences of this class are: a dioecious cavity, an existing anus, the presence of a primary body cavity. The most common types of helminths in humans are roundworms, peg worms, trichinella, worms. Roundworms are geohelminths, i. e. , a temporary host is not required for their maturation and reproduction. All their vital activity can take place within an organism. Some geohelminths in pets can become dangerous to humans, for example, toxocara worms.
- Tapeworms are parasites in the human body that live mainly in the gut. There are two groups of tapeworms: biohelminths and geohelminths. Most worms of this species are biohelminths. For their development, they need to enter the body of an intermediate host, which is cattle, as well as fish and mollusks. The most common tapeworms in this group include bovine tapeworm, tapeworm, echinococcus, alveococcus. Tapeworms can grow to a large size, parasitizing the human body. The longest worm - the wide tapeworm can reach 25 meters in length.
- Absorption. One of the most complex organisms that can live in a person. All of these parasites can infect different organs. Any type of worm of this type causes trematode. Fluke, liver fluke, lanceolate lanceolate, are fluke.
- Scratches or spiny-headed worms are among the smallest tapeworms. These types of parasites are quite rare in the human body. You can get them from sick fish. They parasitize only in the intestine, as they have no digestive system. Also in the human body there are representatives such as giant scrapers.
Protestants
Protestants are the simplest organisms. They belong to a heterogeneous group of living organisms. Protestants cannot be classified as animals or fungi. Protists are unicellular, colonial, and rarely multicellular organisms. Some of them can parasitize the human body. The most dangerous protists are Plasmodium malaria and the amoeba of dysentery. Parasites can cause diseases such as malaria, dysentery. Different types cause serious pathologies in humans. And if they are identified, you should consult a doctor.
Entomosis
Various insects, especially those living in tropical countries, cause entomosis. Entomosis causes various pathological changes in human organs. Most often, the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract system are affected. A variety of insects can cause entomosis:
- Mosquitoes, fleas and bugs - infect through unprotected areas of human skin.
- flies and flies - they infect humans by placing their offspring in the form of eggs or larvae on skin lesions. You can also be infected by some species of flies by swallowing their larvae.
All insects that parasitize the human body have the ability to release toxic substances. Depending on the pathogen, the clinical picture appears. Insects can have an allergic and mechanical effect on humans.
TOP - 7 most common parasites
Parasites that live in the human body can cause serious diseases. We offer the top 7 of the most annoying and terrifying parasites that can inhabit the human body. From the list you can find out which parasites live in different places and how dangerous they are.
- Filaria.A slender tall worm found in tropical and subtropical areas. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes. Filariae causes such a terrible disease as elephantiasis. In countries where the parasite has been found, more than one hundred and twenty million people suffer from elephantiasis. Filariet, parasitizing on the body, block the lymphatic vessels. After that, the person begins a strong growth of limbs.
- Anisacids.Anisacid larvae have long been considered harmless. But in the middle of the twentieth century, scientists discovered that anisacidosis disease can in some cases even lead to death. You can become infected with parasites from poorly processed seafood, including fish. Anisacids are one of the most terrifying parasites in humans. Anisacid larvae entering the stomach provoke tumor formation and the development of ulcers.
- One of the most well-known parasites is the bovine tapeworm.After being infected with a worm through dirty hands or raw meat, a person may not know about the disease for a long time. Geohelminths of this species cause severe weight loss. In its size, being inside the owner, it can reach several meters. Sometimes they live in the body for many years, not appearing at all.
- Schistosoma.With the development of tourism, this type of parasite began to expand its geography. Living in tropical wild forests, the schistosome parasite can enter the body when it swims in water bodies. May cause serious liver and bladder disease. Particularly dangerous for children. In the child's body, the schistosome provokes the development of anemia and is able to stop growth.
- Risht.Inhabits subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Dracunculosis, which causes the guinea worm, is a dangerous disease. During the laying of the larvae by the female Rishta, she plows the skin of the host. The person feels severe pain and itching. There is a high risk of contracting dracunculosis when you drink contaminated water.
- Parasites mainly affect the digestive tract, liver and skin. But there are species that live in the brain, such ascysticercus.They can live up to 30 years, causing mental disorders: hallucinations, depression, short-term memory loss.
- Toxoplasma.One of the most common helminths on earth. Toxoplasmosis is of two types: congenital and acquired. In the first case, the infection occurs in the uterus. Most often it causes serious pathology and leads to fetal death. Acquired disease affects the central nervous system and can cause brain cancer. Toxoplasma often causes the development of schizophrenia.