Types of worms in the human body

Several organisms can inhabit the human body. Those that, due to their vital activity, harm human health, are called parasites. The parasites in the human body are not necessarily worms; they may also be other living organisms that cause harm to humans. Dangerous parasites can inhabit the entire territory of the Earth. So, what are the parasites and how do they affect humans?

Types of parasites

There are more than 2, 000 representatives of the types of parasites in the human body. They are divided according to their type, mode of existence, methods of reproduction. There are also mandatory and optional parasites.

The obligated parasites can only live in the host's body. Mandatory intracellular parasites are completely dependent on their host, so they do not seriously harm it.

Optional can live part of its life cycle as a free life, the other part can be kept in the host's body. They can all affect various internal organs and tissues. Some of them have been around for a long time and at the same time do not manifest themselves in any way. The appearance of others is accompanied by characteristic symptoms.

Helminthiasis

Human helminthiasis is caused by several worms. At the moment, there are more than 300 types of helminths in humans. Found among worms, mandatory and optional parasites. In addition, depending on the interaction between the parasite and the host organism, they are divided into two groups: ectoparasites and endoparasites. They belong to different classes and can parasitize on various organs. Worms in humans are one of the most common diseases; geohelminths are found more often. The appearance of worms in humans can be caused, not just with dirty hands. You can be infected by pets, cattle, fish and also by dirty water. The disease depends on the types of worms that have entered the body. To understand the consequences that worms can cause, you need to find out what worms are. By knowing which worms can occur and their characteristics, you can protect yourself against infections.

• Roundworms. Most worms in this class are parasitic. The main differences in this class are: a dioecious cavity, an existing anus, the presence of a primary body cavity. The most common types of helminths in humans are roundworms, pinworms, trichinella and tricurids. Roundworms are geohelminths, that is, a temporary host is not necessary for their maturation and reproduction. All of its vital activity can take place within an organism. Some geohelminths in domestic animals can become dangerous to humans, for example, toxocara worms.
• Tapeworms are parasites of the human body that live mainly in the intestines. There are two groups of worms: 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, echinococcus, alveococcus. Tapeworms can grow to a large size, parasitizing the human body. The longest worm - the broad tapeworm can reach 25 meters in length.
• Suckers. One of the most complex organisms that can live in a person. All of these parasites can infect several organs. Any type of worm of this type causes trematodes. Plaice, liver worm, speared worm, are worms of luck.
• Scratchers or spiny-headed worms 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, since they have no digestive system. Representatives such as giant scrapers also exist in the human body.

Protists

Protists are the simplest organisms. They belong to a heterogeneous group of living organisms. Protists cannot be classified as animals or mushrooms. Protists are single-celled, colonial and less commonly multicellular organisms. Some of them can parasitize in the human body. The most dangerous protists are the malaria plasmodium and amoebic dysentery. Parasites can cause diseases like malaria, dysentery. Several types cause serious pathologies in humans. And if they are identified, you should see a doctor.

Entomose

Various insects, especially those that live in tropical countries, cause entomosis. Entomosis causes several pathological changes in human organs. Most of the time, the eyes, the skin and the gastrointestinal tract system are affected. A variety of insects can cause entomosis:

• Mosquitoes, fleas and insects - infect through unprotected areas of human skin.
• flies and flies - infect humans, depositing their young in the form of eggs or larvae in wounds on the skin. You can also become infected with some types of flies by swallowing your larvae.

All insects that parasitize the human body have the ability to release toxic substances. Depending on the pathogen, the clinical picture appears. Insects can have an allergic and mechanical effect on humans.

TOP - 7 most common parasites

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

1. Filaria.Long and thin worm found in tropical and subtropical areas. The parasite is carried by mosquitoes. Filariae causes a terrible disease like elephantiasis. In countries where the parasite is found, more than 120 million people suffer from elephantiasis. Filariae, parasitizing the body, obstructs the lymphatic vessels. After that, the person begins a strong growth of the members.
2. Anisakids.Anisakid larvae have long been considered harmless. But in the mid-twentieth century, scientists discovered that anisakidosis can lead, in some cases, to death. You can become infected with poorly thermally processed seafood parasites, including fish. Anisakids are one of the most terrible parasites of humans. Anisakid larvae entering the stomach cause the formation of tumors and the development of ulcers.
3. One of the most famous parasites is thebovine tapeworm.Having been infected by a worm through dirty hands or raw meat, a person may not be aware of the disease for a long time. Geohelminths of this species cause severe weight loss. In its size, being inside the owner, it can reach several meters. Sometimes they live in the body for many years, without manifesting itself in any way.
4. Schistosoma.With the development of tourism, this type of parasite began to expand its geography. Living in wild tropical forests, the schistosome parasite can enter the body when swimming in bodies of water. It can cause serious diseases of the liver and bladder. Especially dangerous for children. In the child's body, the schistosome causes the development of anemia and is able to stop growth.
5. Risht.Inhabits the subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Dracunculiasis, which causes Guinea worm, is a dangerous disease. During the laying of the larvae by the female Rishta, it breaks the skin of the host. The person feels severe pain and itching. There is a great risk of getting dracunculiasis from drinking dirty water.
6. Parasites mainly affect the digestive tract, the liver and the skin. But there are species that live in the brain, such as cysticercosis.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. Most of the time, it causes serious pathologies and leads to fetal death. The acquired disease affects the central nervous system and can cause brain cancer. Toxoplasma often causes schizophrenia to develop.