Types of worms in the human body

Various organisms can inhabit the human body. Those whose vital activity harms human health are called parasites. Parasites in the human body are not necessarily worms, they can be other living organisms that harm humans. Dangerous parasites can inhabit the entire territory of the country. So, what are parasites and how do they affect humans?

Types of parasites

There are more than 2000 representatives of parasite species in the human body. They are divided according to species, mode of existence, modes of reproduction. There are both mandatory and optional parasites.

Mandatory parasites can only live in the body of the host. Mandatory intracellular parasites are completely dependent on their host, so they do not cause serious damage.

Optionally part of their life cycle can live as a free life, the other part can be kept in the body of the host. They can all affect different internal organs and tissues. Some of them have existed for a long time and at the same time do not manifest in any way. The appearance of others is accompanied by characteristic symptoms.

Helminthiasis

Human helminthiasis is caused by various worms. There are currently more than 300 species of helminths in humans. It is found among worms, both obligatory parasites and optional. Also, depending on the form of interaction of parasites with the host organism, they are divided into two groups: ectoparasites and endoparasites. They belong to different classes and can parasitize in different organs. Worms in humans are one of the most common diseases, and geohelminth worms are the most common. Worms can be caused in humans, not just by dirty hands. You can get infected with pets, livestock, fish, as well as dirty water. The disease depends on what types of worms have entered the body. To understand what consequences worms can have, you need to discover what worms are. By knowing which worms can appear and their characteristics, you can protect yourself from infection.

• Roundworms. Most worms in this class are parasitic. The main differences of this class are: bicameral cavity, existing anus, presence of primary body cavity. The most common types of helminths in humans are roundworms, pinworms, trichinae, and whips. Roundworms are geohelminths, ie a temporary host is not needed for their maturation and reproduction. All their vital activities can take place within one organism. Some geohelminths in domestic animals can become dangerous to humans, for example, toxocara worms.
• Tapeworms are parasites in the human body that mainly live in the intestines. There are two groups of tapeworms: biohelminths and geohelminths. Most worms of this species are biohelminths. For their development they need to enter the body of an intermediate host, which is cattle, as well as fish and mollusks. The most common tapeworms in this group include bovine tapeworm, broad tapeworm, echinococci, alveococci. Tapeworms can grow to large sizes, parasitizing on the human body. The longest worm - a wide tapeworm can reach 25 meters in length.
• Naives. One of the most complex organisms that can live in humans. All of these parasites can infect various organs. Any type of worm of this type causes trematodes. Methyl, liver fluke, lanceolate fluke are flukes.
• Scratches or worms with a prickly head are among the smallest tapeworms. These types of parasites are quite rare in the human body. You can get them from sick fish. They parasitize only in the intestines because they do not have a digestive system. There are also representatives in the human body, such as giant scrapers.

Protists

Protists are the simplest organisms. They belong to a heterogeneous group of living organisms. Protists cannot be classified as animals or fungi. Protists are unicellular, colonial, and less commonly multicellular organisms. Some of them can parasitize in the human body. The most dangerous protists are Plasmodium falciparum and dysenteric amoeba. Parasites can cause diseases such as malaria, dysentery. Various species cause serious pathologies in humans. And if they are identified, you need to see a doctor.

Entomosis

Various insects, especially those living in tropical countries, cause entomosis. Entomosis causes various pathological changes in human organs. The eyes, skin and system of the gastrointestinal tract are most often affected. Various insects can cause entomosis:

• Mosquitoes, fleas and bed bugs - become infected through unprotected areas of human skin.
• gadflies and flies - infect humans, laying their offspring in the form of eggs or larvae on skin wounds. You can also catch some types of flies by swallowing their larvae.

All insects that parasitize in the human body have the ability to release toxic substances. Depending on the pathogen, a clinical picture emerges. Insects can have allergic and mechanical effects on humans.

TOP - 7 most common parasites

Parasites that live in the human body can cause serious diseases. We offer the first 7 scariest and scariest parasites that can inhabit the human body. From the list you can find out which parasites live in different countries and how dangerous they are.

1. Filaria.A thin long worm found in tropical and subtropical zones. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes. Filariasis causes such a terrible disease as elephantiasis. In countries where the parasite is found, more than one hundred and twenty million people suffer from elephant disease. Filariae, parasitizing in the body, clog the lymph vessels. After that, the person begins to grow strongly in the limbs.
2. Anisakidi.Anisakid larvae have long been considered harmless. But in the middle of the 20th century, scientists discovered that the disease of anisakidosis could in some cases even lead to death. You can become infected with parasites from poorly heat-treated seafood, including fish. Anisakids are one of the most terrible parasites in humans. Anisakid larvae that enter the stomach cause tumor formation and ulcer development.
3. One of the most famous parasites is the bovine tapeworm.Infected with worms with dirty hands or raw meat, a person may not know about the disease for a long time. Geohelminths of this species cause serious weight loss. In its size, since it is inside the owner, it can reach several meters. Sometimes they live in the body for many years, not manifesting at all.
4. Schistosome.With the development of tourism, this type of parasite began to expand its geography. Living in tropical wild forests, the schistosome parasite can enter the body when swimming in water bodies. It can cause serious liver and bladder diseases. Especially dangerous for children. In a child's body, the schistosome provokes the development of anemia and is able to stop growth.
5. Risht.Inhabits subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Dracunculiasis, which causes guinea pigs, is a dangerous disease. During the laying of larvae by the female Rishta, she breaks through the skin of the host. The person feels severe pain and itching. There is a high risk of dracunculiasis infection when drinking dirty water.
6. Parasites mainly affect the digestive tract, liver and skin. But there are species that live in the brain, likecysticercus.They can live up to 30 years, causing mental disorders: hallucinations, depression, short-term memory loss.
7. Toxoplasma.One of the most common helminths on earth. Toxoplasmosis is of two types: congenital and acquired. In the first case, the infection occurs in the uterus. It most often causes serious pathologies and leads to fetal death. Acquired disease affects the central nervous system and can cause brain cancer. Toxoplasma often causes the development of schizophrenia.