Intestinal Parasitic Infections
An intestinal parasite
infection may be a condition during which a parasite infects the gastro-intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Such parasites can live anywhere within the body, but most prefer the intestinal wall. Routes of exposure and
infection include ingestion of undercooked meat, drinking infected water, fecal-oral transmission and skin absorption. Some sorts of helminths and protozoa are classified as
intestinal parasites that cause infection—those that reside within the intestines. These infections can damage or sicken the host (humans or other animals). If the intestinal parasite
infection is caused by helminths, the
infection is named helminthiasis. Signs and symptoms depend on the type of infection. Intestinal parasites produce a variety of symptoms in those affected, most of which manifest themselves in gastrointestinal complications and general weakness.[ Gastrointestinal conditions include
inflammation of the small and/or large intestine, diarrhea/dysentery, abdominal pains, and nausea/vomiting. These symptoms negatively impact nutritional status, including decreased absorption of micronutrients, loss of appetite, weight loss, and intestinal blood loss that can often result in anemia. It may also cause physical and mental disabilities, delayed growth in children, and skin irritation round the anus and vulva. Due to the wide variety of intestinal parasites, a description of the symptoms rarely is sufficient for diagnosis. Instead, medical personnel use one among two common tests: they search stool samples for the parasites, or apply an adhesive to the anus to look for eggs. Major groups of parasites include protozoans (organisms having just one cell) and parasitic worms (helminths). Of these, protozoans, including cryptosporidium, microsporidia, and isospora, are commonest in HIV-infected persons. Each of those parasites can infect the alimentary canal, and sometimes two or more can cause
infection at an equivalent time.
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