What are Parasitic Infections?

A parasitic infection is when parasites enter the body and cause an infection as they establish themselves, and often as the parasites multiply in numbers and attempt to colonize inside the body. There are many different types of parasitic infections that can occur for people, but all of them will be caused by one of three different types of organisms: protozoa (single-cell organisms), helminths (worms), ectoparasites (multicell organisms living on or feeding on skin). 

The most dangerous parasitic infections are the ones where organ systems in the body are attacked, and accordingly it is these ones where there is the greatest risk of dying from a parasitic infection. These infections are more common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. 

What Causes Parasitic Infections?

Protozoic and helminthic infections occur when the person is exposed to contaminated water, foods, waste, or soil. In rarer instances these types of parasitic infection may come from exposure to contaminated blood, and sometimes during sexual contact. Infections from ectoparasites like mosquitos, including malaria and dengue fever, occur when the parasite breaks the skin of the victim through a bite or other means and protozoa are then passed into the bloodstream. 

People who are more at risk of parasitic infections are those with a compromised immune system, those living or travelling to a tropical or subtropical region, those without access to clean drinking water, and others who work in childcare or have work that exposes them to soil regularly. Pet owners – and owners of cats most notably – are more at risk of toxoplasmosis infections. 

Parasitic Infection Symptoms

The type of symptoms seen will vary based on the type of infection. Parasitic infection symptoms may include pain, fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, nausea, vision impairment, skin rash or swelling, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, upset stomach, dehydration, discharge from body openings, and many more different potential symptoms. 

Treatment for Parasitic Infections

A course of treatment with antibiotic or antiparasitic medications like Plaquenil is the standard approach for treatment of parasitic infections. The vast number of different parasitic infections means that the best course of treatment can vary widely. For some infections a doctor may deem it best to avoid Rx medication entirely, as is the case with toxoplasmosis for example. Application of medicated ointments or shampoos may also be a possibility for treating a parasitic infection.