One of the hazards of a parasitic infection is that it may not be easily identifiable to a medical professional who hasn't dealt with it. The patient may not even know he or she has the infection, making it difficult for a doctor to ascertain that the symptoms match up with a particular infection.
It is important to mention recent foreign traveled when presenting with symptoms so that the doctor may investigate the cause and effects of the illness further. Drugs can defeat most parasites, but identifying the problem a long way toward solving it quickly.
Types of Parasitic Infections
There are two main types of intestinal parasites, helminths and protozoa. Helminths are many-celled worms, and roundworms, pinworms, or tapeworms are the most commonly seen in the United States. Adult helminths can’t multiply in the human body. Protozoa are one-celled creatures and can multiply once inside the host, which can create serious infections. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are the two most common protozoa, usually acquired when an individual comes into contact with infected feces from food, water or soil. That’s why you see those restroom signs urging workers to wash their hands in restaurants.
Symptoms of Parasite Infections
Parasites may live in their hosts for years without manifesting any symptoms, but when they arrive, it’s usually with a bang. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, a rash or itching in the rectum or vulva, dysentery, tiredness, stomach pain or tenderness, weight loss, or the most obvious sign, passing a worm in the stool.