There are various parasites living in the human body, disrupting the functioning of the internal organs and the whole 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 widespread in the human body. They differ from each other in their structure and ways of existence, but they must enter the human body for development and reproduction.
According to the type of structure, all parasites in humans are divided into several categories:
- roundworms;
- laughter;
- tape
Let's consider the listed types of parasites in the human body in more detail.
Characteristics of tuber worms
These parasites are called nematodes. Outwardly, they resemble earthworms, but differ in sharper ends. Their sizes vary from millimeters to 130 centimeters.
Many roundworms have a simple life cycle. After the human body is infected 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 emerge from them and begin to develop actively.
All round parasites in the human body are divided into several subspecies, including:
- Pinworms. The most common parasite that is easily transmitted between people through shared objects. The development of these nematodes in the body causes severe discomfort in the form of itching around the anus.
- Roundworms. They are dangerous to health when they are massively infected. They are worms up to 25 cm long. After maturity, the larvae spread throughout the body and internal organs in the bloodstream.
- Trichinella. These small roundworms are up to 5 mm long. They develop in the intestines and lay larvae. Later, they penetrate the blood vessels and spread throughout the body.
- Filaria. They are mainly distributed in warm countries and their carriers are insects.
Parasites - flowers
The so-called trematodes are parasites in the human body, their symptoms are not always obvious. These are flatworms up to 8 centimeters long, with suckers on their bodies to feed parasites.
Flukes have a complex life cycle and change their host several times. Eggs develop in water bodies, after which they enter the body of the mollusk for metamorphosis. When the modified larvae hatch from the molluscs, they enter the body of crustaceans or fish, where they are modified again.
It enters the body of the final host, i. e. man, through raw or undercooked meat of crustaceans or fish.
Among the most famous trematodes:
- Opistorchis. Humans contract these parasites by eating undersalted or undercooked/undercooked carp or stroganina.
- China is in a hurry. It affects many fish and crustaceans living in the waters of Primorye and Japan. The parasite affects the bile and bile ducts, pancreas and liver.
- Paragonimiasis. It causes a dangerous disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and even the brain. People who eat undercooked crabs and crabs from fresh water get it.
- Schistosomiasis. The parasites are usually found in tropical countries and the larvae actively enter through the human skin during swimming, as well as when entering the mouth from a reservoir.
Tape parasites (worms)
We have almost figured out what parasites are in the human body, but there are still different types of tapeworms:
- Taurus built a ribbon. It can reach 10 meters in length, and people become infected by eating beef that has undergone low heat treatment. Housewives sometimes contaminate raw minced meat by checking the amount of added spices or salt. Once the larva enters the body, it turns into saltpetre, which adheres to the intestinal wall and causes weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia and dizziness in humans.
- He built pork. It is smaller in size (up to 2 meters long) and can be infected by eating poorly cooked pork.
- Broad tapeworm. The length of this parasite varies from 6 to 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 transmitted from cats and dogs that carry the parasite. In the human body, the larvae hatch and are transported with the blood to various organs, especially the liver. Subsequently, echinococcal cysts are formed, which are dangerous to health and require surgical intervention.
We looked at what parasites live in the human body, but not all of them are known helminths. Learn the signs of a parasite infection and if you find it, see a doctor for a diagnosis.