Parasitic infections

Parasitic Infections

Parasitic infections (/pəˈræsɪtɪk ɪnˈfɛkʃənz/), derived from the Greek word parasitos meaning "one who eats at the table of another", are diseases caused by parasites. Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host. There are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.

Protozoa

Protozoa (/proʊˈtoʊ.zoʊ.ə/) are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in a human's intestine to another human typically occurs through a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact). Protozoa that live in the blood or tissue of humans are transmitted to other humans by an arthropod vector (for example, through the bite of a mosquito or sand fly).

Helminths

Helminths (/ˈhɛlmɪnθs/), from the Greek word helmins meaning "worm", are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic. Parasitic helminths are often transmitted via contaminated food, water, soil, or through the use of certain vectors. Some examples of helminths include flatworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites (/ˈɛktoʊˌpærəˌsaɪts/), from the Greek words ektos meaning "outside" and parasitos, are multicellular organisms that live on the surface of their host. They include lice, fleas, mites, and ticks. Ectoparasites can cause diseases in humans by acting as vectors, transmitting pathogens from one host to another.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment of parasitic infections involves the use of antiparasitic drugs, which are designed to target the specific type of parasite causing the infection. Prevention strategies often involve improved sanitation, personal hygiene, and the use of protective measures to avoid contact with parasites.