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Signs & Symptoms of Parasitic Disease

Parasites are living organisms that make their homes in---and feed on---other living organisms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that parasites that can cause disease in humans fall into three broad categories: ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas and lice; helminths, including flatworms and roundworms; and protozoa, tiny, single-celled organisms that can multiply quickly within a host organization.

  1. Types of Disease

    • There are dozens of diseases caused by parasites, many of which are relatively rare. However, some diseases in this general category are fairly widespread worldwide and occasionally can prove deadly if not treated in a timely fashion. Such diseases include African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), amoebic dysentery, bilharzia (schistosomiasis), elephantiasis, giardiasis, hookworm, malaria and trichinosis.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • Most parasitic infections are asymptomatic and will resolve on their own, often without the host ever becoming aware of their presence. Others may produce mild discomfort, such as itching or slight fever, according to MedlinePlus. Such symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and in most cases will disappear after a short time. More serious parasitic infections may cause more worrisome symptoms, such as anemia, loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, moderate to high fever, profound fatigue and pneumonia-like symptoms. If any of these more serious symptoms appear, see your doctor immediately and advise him of any recent exposure to possible parasitic agents.

    Malaria

    • Malaria is one of the most widespread of all parasitic diseases and also one of the most deadly, killing more than 1 million people annually, according to the CDC. It is most likely to show up in the tropics. The disease is caused by a parasite that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of a female anopheles mosquito. Its symptoms include high fever, alternating with chills, and flu-like illness. If malaria is suspected, seek medical care immediately.

    High-Risk Groups

    • Parasitic diseases can be transmitted to humans in a wide variety of ways, making it all but impossible to avoid them completely. However, certain groups are more likely to pick up these infections. Others, of course, may suffer more from their consequences because of preexisting health conditions. Those at higher risk of contracting parasitic diseases include children who routinely play in the dirt; people in close contact with animals, either domestic or wild; farmers; gardeners; adults who often dig in the dirt or walk barefoot; and those with multiple sex partners.

    Diagnosis

    • Although mild parasitic infections may produce no symptoms at all, the more serious parasitic diseases carry with them equally serious symptoms, which vary depending on the parasite involved. If you or your doctor believes a parasitic infection is causing your symptoms, there are various diagnostic tests that can confirm such suspicions. These include blood tests; stool sample analysis; endoscopy to confirm the presence of parasites if stool samples are negative or equivocal; and x-rays and CT and MRI scans to look for inflamed or scarred internal organs.

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