Main Types of Parasitic Worms *.Flatworms such as Tapeworms *.Flukes such as Blood Flukes *.Roundworms such as Threadworms or Pinworms Flatworms Flatworms include Tapeworms and Flukes. Flatworms breathe and eat literally through their skin. Oxygen and nutrients literally pass through their skin. They have no separate organs for digestion or circulation. Flatworms feed on the blood, tissue fluids, or pieces of cells inside the bodies of their hosts. Flatworms live on the skin, mouth, gills or other outside parts of a host, or they can live internally such as the ones that live in humans that infect the blood and organs. Flatworms range in size from being microscopic to some over 20 metres long for example in the whale tapeworm. The most common types of flatworms that live in humans are Tapeworms and Flukes. Tapeworms Tapeworms live in human intestines where they feed on the partially-digested food in their host’s intestines. It is a fully protected environment and they grow and thrive in these conditions. Tapeworms are parasitic worms and are most often referred to as just parasites. They literally survive through their host’s nutrients. Parasites need hosts to survive. Flukes Flukes are a type of parasitic Flatworm. Flukes get their name from the way they look as they are flat and the word fluke comes from a German word flah meaning flat. Flukes have at least one external sucker, which they use to attach themselves to their host. Some flukes live on the gills, skin or outside of their hosts while others, such as blood flukes that live in humans, live internally in their hosts. Blood flukes are largely confined to very hot tropical areas such as North Africa and South East Asia and contribute to some extreme health conditions. Roundworms Some of the most common types of Roundworms include Pinworms or Threadworms, Hookworms, Ascaris (a word that literally means ‘intestinal worm’) and Heartworms. Roundworms have hollow bodies and openings at either end and generally grow between 2-5 inches long. Roundworms are very commonly found in pets and animals such as dogs and cats and can be easily passed on to humans. Roundworms live in salt water, fresh water and the soil. Eating contaminated foods or getting worms from contaminated pets is the most usual way to get roundworms (a category of worms). Hookworms and pinworms are often the most common types of roundworms found in humans. Signs of Infection from Parasites People experience different signs of infection symptoms with parasite infections but there are some that are more common: *.Persistent abdominal swelling is a frequent sign of hidden invaders. *.Skin conditions can arise: Intestinal worms can cause hives, rashes, weeping sores and other allergic-type skin reactions. *.Restlessness & anxiety. Parasitic metabolic wastes and toxic substances can serve as irritants to the central nervous system. Restlessness and anxiety are often the result of the systemic parasite infestation. *.General lethargy and unusual energy level fluctuations. *.Constipation. *.Diarrhea. *.Frequent gas and bloating. *.Bowel upsets. *.Joint and muscle aches and pains. *.Food allergies: Sometimes, parasites can irritate and even perforate the intestinal lining, so that large undigested molecules enter the blood stream, which would not ordinarily do so. Parasites can Harm & Kill their Hosts Sometimes, the hosts immune system receives a small amount of damage from hosting parasites. Other times, conditions can become more severe and in some cases, parasites can kill their hosts. Parasites often use transmitting agents such as fleas or mosquitoes. As in the case of the parasite, Plasmodium, which transmits the disease called Malaria via the Anopheles mosquito, which gets its name from the Greek for ‘useless.’ In 2008, The World Health Organisation reported nearly one million deaths from Malaria alone. Today, Malaria remains a real threat to thousands of people and is transmitted through the bites of a mosquito known as the Anopheles mosquito. Mosquitoes have a long proboscis or feeding tube which allows them to literally sucks the blood of their host. How are Parasites transmitted? People can get parasites and worms is a lot of different ways: *.Through transmitting agents such as mosquitoes, fleas and flies. *.In the air we breathe. *.Pets and farm animals are often carriers of parasites. *.From contaminated food. *.Badly cooked or uncooked foods such as beef, pork, poultry and fish. *.Some fruit and vegetables can also contain parasites. *.Poor water supplies and poor sanitation can transmit parasites. *.In areas where sanitation or sewer systems are lacking or badly maintained, parasites and worms can quickly multiply. *.Parasites can commonly be found in mud pools, stagnant ponds, streams, rivers and other small or large pools of water that has remained there for a while. *.Bad hygiene in toilets and other public places can also be the cause.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:16:50 +0000
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