There are various parasites that live in the human body, disrupting the functioning of the 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 terms of structure and modes of existence, but for growth and reproduction they must enter the human body.
Based on the type of structure, all parasites in humans are divided into several categories:
- Roundworms;
- drills;
- film-cassette
Let's consider in more detail the mentioned types of parasites in the human body.
Characteristics of roundworms
These parasites are called nematodes. Outwardly, they resemble earthworms, but differ in sharper 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, which are invisible to the naked eye.
When released into the environment, the eggs mature and then return to the human body through contaminated food, water or dirty hands. Roundworms hatch from them and begin to actively grow.
All round parasites in the human body are divided into several subspecies, such as:
- Pinworms. The most common parasite that is easily transmitted between people through shared objects. The growth 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 a health hazard. They are worms that reach a length of 25 cm. After maturity, the larvae spread throughout the body and internal organs in the blood.
- Trichinella. These small roundworms are up to 5 mm long. They develop in the intestines, give birth to larvae. They then enter the blood vessels and spread throughout the body.
- Friends. They are mainly distributed in warm countries and their vectors are insects.
Parasites – flatulence
The so-called trematodes are parasites in the human body, the symptoms of which are not always clearly visible. These are flatworms up to 8 cm long, which have a pit in their body to feed on 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 crustaceans or fish, where they are modified again.
The scales enter the body of their final host, which is a person, with raw or undercooked meat of crustaceans or fish.
Among the most popular trematodes are:
- Backward. People become infected with these parasites by eating lightly salted or undercooked/undercooked carp fish or stroganina.
- Chinese pit. It affects many fish and crustaceans living in Primorye and Japanese waters. The parasite affects the bile and bile ducts, the pancreas and the liver.
- Fertilization. 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 the larvae actively enter through the human skin when swimming, as well as when water from a tank enters the mouth.
Tapeworms (worms)
We have almost figured out what parasites are in the human body, but there are still tapeworms, which also exist in various types:
- Bull movie. It can reach 10 meters in length and people become infected by it by eating undercooked beef. Housewives sometimes become infected by tasting raw minced meat for the amount of added spices or salt. After entering the body, the larva turns into salts, which adhere to the intestinal wall and cause weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia and dizziness in humans.
- Pig movie. It is smaller in size (up to 2 meters long) and can be infected by eating undercooked pork.
- Wide film. The length of this pest varies between 6-15 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 that carry the parasite. In the human body, the larvae emerge from the eggs and are carried in the blood to various organs, especially the liver. Subsequently, echinococcal cysts are formed, which are dangerous to health and require surgery.
We looked at what parasites live in the human body, but these are not all known helminths. Study the symptoms of parasite infestation and if found, go to the doctor for diagnosis.