Types of worms in the human body

Various organisms can inhabit the human body. Those which, by their vital activity, adversely affect human health, are called parasites. Parasites in the human body are not necessarily worms, they can also be other living organisms that cause harm to humans. Dangerous pests can inhabit the entire territory of the earth. So what are parasites and how do they affect humans?

Types of parasites

There are more than 2000 representatives of types of parasites in the human body. They are distributed according to their type, their mode of existence, their modes of reproduction. There are also obligatory and facultative parasites.

Obligate parasites can only live in the body of the host. Obligate intracellular parasites are completely dependent on their host, so they do not harm it.

Optional can live part of its life cycle as free, the other part can be held in the host body. All of them can 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 various worms. At present, there are more than 300 types of helminths in humans. Found among worms, both obligate and facultative parasites. Also, depending on the form of interaction of the parasite with the host organism, they are divided into two groups: ectoparasites and endoparasites. They belong to different classes and can parasitize in various organs. Worms in humans are one of the most common diseases; soil-transmitted helminth worms are most often found. The appearance of worms in humans can be provoked, not only with dirty hands. You can get infected from pets, livestock, fish, and 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 what worms can occur and their characteristics, you can protect yourself against infections.

• Roundworms. Most of the worms in this class are parasitic. The main differences of 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, whipworms and whipworms. Roundworms are soil-transmitted helminths, that is, a temporary host is not required for their maturation and reproduction. All of their vital activity can occur within a single organism. Some soil-transmitted helminths in domestic animals can become dangerous to humans, for example toxocara worms.
• Tapeworms are parasites of the human body that mainly live in the intestines. There are two groups of tapeworms: biohelminths and soil-transmitted helminths. Most of the worms of this species are biohelminths. For their development, they must enter the body of an intermediate host, which is cattle, as well as fish and molluscs. 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 wide tapeworm can reach 25 meters in length.
• suction cups. One of the most complex organisms that can live in a person. All of these parasites can infect various organs. Any type of worm of this type causes trematodes. The fluke, the liver fluke, the lanceolate fluke are fluids.
• Scrapers 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 only parasitize in the intestines because they do not have a digestive system. The human body also contains such representatives 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 frequently multicellular organisms. Some of them can parasitize the human body. The most dangerous protists are the malarial plasmodium and the dysenteric amoeba. Parasites can cause diseases such as malaria, dysentery. Different types cause serious pathologies in humans. And if they are identified, you need to see a doctor.

Entomosis

Various insects, especially those that live in tropical countries, cause entomosis. Entomosis causes various pathological changes in human organs. Most often, the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal system are affected. Various insects can cause entomosis:

• Mosquitoes, fleas and insects - infect through unprotected areas of human skin.
• flies and flies - infect humans, laying their offspring as eggs or larvae on skin sores. You can also get infected with certain types of flies by swallowing their 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 living in the human body can cause serious illness. We offer the top 7 scariest and most terrible 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 long, slender worm that is found in the tropics and subtropics. The parasite is carried by mosquitoes. Heartworms cause a disease as terrible as elephantiasis. In countries where the parasite is found, more than 120 million people suffer from elephantiasis. Heartworms, parasitic in the body, obstruct lymphatic vessels. After that, the person begins a strong growth of limbs.
2. Anisakids.Anisakidae larvae have long been considered harmless. But in the middle of the 20th century, scientists discovered that anisakidosis disease can even lead to death in some cases. You can be infected with parasites from poorly heat-treated seafood, including fish. Anisakidae are one of the most terrible parasites in humans. The larvae of Anisakid entering the stomach cause the formation of tumors and the development of ulcers.
3. One of the most famous parasites is the bovine tapeworm.Having been infected with a worm through dirty hands or raw meat, a person may not be aware of the disease for a long time. Soil-transmitted helminths 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, not manifesting themselves at all.
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 by swimming in bodies of water. It can cause serious liver and bladder disease. Particularly dangerous for children. In the child's body, the schistosome causes the development of anemia and is able to stop the growth.
5. Risht.Inhabits the subtropics of Asia and Africa. Dracunculiasis, which causes Guinea worm, is a dangerous disease. When the larvae are laid by the female Rishta, it pierces the skin of the host. The person experiences severe pain and itching. There is a great risk of getting dracunculiasis from 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. There are two types of toxoplasmosis: congenital and acquired. In the first case, the infection occurs in the uterus. Most often, it causes serious pathologies and leads to the death of the fetus. The acquired disease affects the central nervous system and can cause brain cancer. Toxoplasma often causes the development of schizophrenia.