Parasitic

Parasitic refers to a type of relationship between two different organisms where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Parasites can be a variety of organisms, including plants, animals, and viruses. Parasites may be endoparasites, which live inside the host's body, or ectoparasites, which live on the outside of the host.

Types of Parasites

There are three main types of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.

• Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in a human's intestine to another individual typically occurs through a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact).

• Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic. Parasitic worms do not multiply in humans.

• Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the skin but not within the body. Fleas, lice, and ticks are all ectoparasites. Infestations of these parasites are usually treated with topical medications.

Parasitic Diseases

Parasites can cause a wide range of diseases, from relatively mild ailments to severe, life-threatening conditions. Some common parasitic diseases include malaria, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Parasitic diseases can affect all populations, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of parasitic diseases primarily involves good personal hygiene, safe food and water practices, and use of preventive treatments. Treatment of parasitic diseases varies depending on the specific parasite and the severity of the infection. Medications are available to treat many parasitic infections.

See Also

• Parasitology
• Parasitic infection
• Parasitic life cycle

Parasitic Resources
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