Parasitic infection

Parasitic infection refers to a condition where an organism lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. The parasites can be divided into three main classes: Protozoa, Helminths, and Ectoparasites.

Protozoa

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 human typically occurs through a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact). Protozoa that live in the blood or tissue of humans are transmitted to other humans by an arthropod vector (for example, through the bite of a mosquito or sand fly).

Helminths

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 in nature. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are three main groups of helminths (derived from the Greek word for worms): flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the skin but not within the body. Fleas, lice, ticks, and mites are all types of ectoparasites. While not strictly classified as parasites, these creatures are often studied in conjunction with parasitic infections due to their similar transmission and treatment methods.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of parasitic infections involves sanitation measures and hygiene, including the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellent. Treatment of parasitic infections varies depending on the type of parasite involved, but often involves pharmaceutical interventions.

See Also

• Parasitology
• Infectious disease
• Tropical disease

Parasitic infection Resources
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