hamburger
×
Digit General Insurance Logo
Powered By Digit
mobile-img

Get your ABHA Card Online

Create and Download Instantly

desktop-img

Common Diseases Caused by Parasites and their Symptoms

What Is a Parasitic Infection?

What are the Causes of Parasitic Infections?

6 Diseases Caused by Parasites in Humans

Which Worms Commonly Cause Parasitic Infection?

What Are the Symptoms of Parasitic Infections?

Damages Caused by Parasites in Humans

Who Is at Risk of Getting a Parasitic Infection?

What Are the Different Types of Parasites Causing Diseases in Humans?

Three types of organisms are primarily responsible for diseases caused by parasites in humans. These are as follows,

  • Protozoa
  • Ectoparasites
  • Helminths

Category Description

Protozoa

These are single-celled organisms that can grow and multiply inside a body. This organism can come in different sizes and shapes and is available in a wide variety of habitats, such as soil, freshwater, and marine environments.

Browsing the internet for the name of two parasitic protozoa that cause diseases in humans? These are:
Trypanosoma Protozoa (can cause sleeping sickness, a disease common in Africa)
Giardia Protozoa (can cause Giardiasis, a disease that can spread through contaminated food and water. This contamination can occur through the faeces of infected animals or people).
Ectoparasites Ectoparasites are multi-celled organisms that live on the skin of the host and derive nutrients for survival. Examples of these organisms include fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, etc.
Helminths These are multi-celled large macroparasites. These organisms are commonly known as worms and can live in or outside the body. Organisms such as tapeworms, flatworms, and roundworms fall under this category.

What Are the Methods to Diagnose Parasitic Infection?

There are several ways doctors can diagnose diseases caused by parasites. These are as follows,

Test Description
Blood test Doctors prescribe such tests to look for parasites in the blood.
X-rays/ Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT) Doctors prescribe these scans to check for signs of lesions or injury to your organs due to parasites.
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy If doctors cannot identify the results of the stool exam, they prescribe for this test. Through this test, doctors examine the intestinal tract.
Faecal Exam Here, healthcare providers collect a sample of stool and check for parasites and their eggs.
Serological Tests The blood tests detect the presence of antibodies or antigens specific to parasitic diseases. This method helps diagnose some kinds of parasites.
Ultrasound Ultrasound imaging, which traces the inner organs and reveals any distortions or infections arising from parasites, is used by physicians.
Biopsy Once the skin is affected, a piece of it is collected and then analysed for parasites or damage they may have caused.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) This molecular method detects parasite DNA or RNA, providing a highly sensitive and specific diagnosis.
Skin Scraping When parasites cause skin disorders, doctors can scrape the skin to look for mites or larvae.

How Are Parasitic Infections Treated?

How to Prevent Parasitic Infection?

Does Health Insurance Cover Parasitic Infections?

FAQs on the Diseases Caused by Parasites