Parasites are a type of organism that lives on or inside another organism and feeds off of it. They can enter your body through food, water, air, or even through your skin and can cause a range of symptoms from mild irritation to serious illness.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are a type of flatworm that can grow up to several meters long inside the human gut. They are spread through contaminated food or water and can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Some tapeworms can even cause serious health problems like epilepsy when they invade the brain.

Hookworms

Hookworms are a type of roundworm that can live in the small intestine of humans. They are most commonly found in areas with poor sanitation and can be spread through contact with contaminated soil or feces.

Hookworm infections can cause symptoms like anemia, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

Pinworms

Pinworms are a type of roundworm that live in the large intestine of humans. They are most commonly found in children and are spread through contact with contaminated food, water, or surfaces.

Pinworm infections can cause symptoms like anal itching, abdominal pain, and sleep disturbances.

Heartworms

Heartworms are a type of parasitic worm that can infect dogs and other animals as well as humans. They are spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes and can cause serious damage to the heart and lungs.

Symptoms of heartworm infection in humans can include coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Giardia

Giardia is a type of parasitic protozoan that can infect the small intestine of humans. It is spread through contaminated food or water and can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

Giardia infections are most common in areas with poor sanitation and can be difficult to diagnose.

Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and can cause symptoms like fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.

Malaria can be fatal if left untreated and is a major health concern in many parts of the world.

Lice

Lice are small parasitic insects that live on the scalp, body, and pubic hair of humans and feed on their blood. They are spread through contact with infested clothing, bedding, or furniture and can cause symptoms like itching, rash, and sores.

Lice infestations are common among children and can be difficult to get rid of.

Scabies

Scabies is a type of parasitic mite that burrows under the skin and lays eggs. It is spread through contact with infested clothing, bedding, or furniture and can cause symptoms like itching, rash, and blisters.

Scabies infestations can be difficult to diagnose and treat and can spread quickly among family members and close contacts.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It can be spread through contact with infected cat feces or through contaminated food or water.

Most people with toxoplasmosis have no symptoms, but it can cause serious illness in pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Trichinosis

Trichinosis is a parasitic disease caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. It is spread through eating undercooked or raw pork or wild game infected with the parasite. Symptoms of trichinosis can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and muscle pain.

In severe cases, it can lead to death.