What are Parasitic Infections?

A parasitic infection occurs when parasites are in the body and causing an infection as they establish themselves, and often as the parasites multiply in numbers and attempt to colonize. All of the many different types of parasitic infections that can occur for people, will be caused by one of three different types of organisms: protozoa (single-cell organisms), helminths (worms), ectoparasites (multicell organisms living on or feeding on skin).

The most dangerous parasitic infections will have organ systems in the body being attacked, and accordingly it is these ones where the risk of dying from a parasitic infection is greatest. These infections are more common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

What Causes Parasitic Infections?

Protozoic and helminthic infections happen with exposure to contaminated water, foods, waste, or soil. In rarer instances these types of parasitic infection may result from exposure to contaminated blood, or from sexual contact. Infections from ectoparasites like mosquitos, including malaria and dengue fever, occur when the parasite breaks the skin of the victim through a bite or other means and protozoa then move into the bloodstream.

People who are more at risk of parasitic infections are those with a compromised immune system, those living or travelling to a tropical or subtropical region, those without access to clean drinking water, and others who work in childcare or have work that exposes them to soil regularly. Pet owners are more at risk of toxoplasmosis infections, and this is especially true for people with cats.

Parasitic Infection Symptoms

The type of symptoms seen will vary based on the type of infection. Parasitic infection symptoms may include pain, headache, weakness, fever, vomiting, nausea, vision impairment, skin rash or swelling, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, upset stomach, dehydration, discharge from body openings, along with many other different possible symptoms.

Treatment for Parasitic Infections

A course of treatment with antibiotic or antiparasitic medications like Plaquenil is the most conventional approach for treatment of parasitic infections. The vast number of different parasitic infections means what is the best course of treatment may not be as advisable for another one. For some infections a doctor may deem it best to avoid Rx medication entirely, as is the case with toxoplasmosis for example. Using medicated ointments or shampoos may also be a possibility for treating a parasitic infection.