What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism. It also gets its food from or at the expense of its host.

Examples of parasites include:

• Roundworms
• Tape worms
• Pinworms
• Whipworms
• Hookworms
• Lice
• Giardia
• Mosquitoes
• Bedbugs
• Scabies

How is your body affected by parasites?

1. Some consume your foods from inside your body and leave you hungry even after eating a health meal
2. Others feed off your red blood cells, causing anaemia

Risk factors of getting intestinal parasites

• Living in or visiting an area known to have parasites
• Contaminated or unclean food and water
• Undercooked meat
• Poor hygiene
• Age factors: children and the elderly are more likely to get  infected
• Exposure to child and institutional care centers
• Having a weakened immune system
• HIV OR AIDS
• Working closely with animals
• Handling soil or waste material

Mode of transmission

1. Ora-faecal route: is the major route-  failure to clean your hands with soap and water easily passes on the parasitic eggs to anything you touch: door handle, salt shaker, phone etc.
2. Eating of uncooked or half cooked meat
3. Piercing through the skin of the hands and feet

Signs of parasitic infection include:

1. Digestive problems: unexplained constipation or diarrhoea
2. Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
3. Skin diseases and issues: skin rash or eczema etc
4. Muscular and joint pains– parasites can invade joints and muscles
5. Anaemia  .. by causing eating your red blood cells or lead to blood loss from your body especially through stool
6.  Lack of satisfaction after meals and weight loss
7. Excessive skin itching because some parasites dig tunnels under your skin and lay eggs in them, which leads to itching.
8. Bruxism : grinding your teeth in sleep or waking up in the night with clenched teeth also indicates the existence of parasites in your body
9. Insomnia: having trouble falling asleep, or wake up several times during the night.
10. Bloating: this is a build-up of extra gas in your gastrointestinal tract

Testing for parasites

Consult your nearest healthcare provider or doctor who will carry out tests that may include:

Comprehensive stool test

Endoscopy and colonoscopy

Blood test

Treatment

Consult with your healthcare provider or doctor for proper treatment.