What is a parasitic infection?

Parasites are organisms which thrive off their host to survive. They are known to be common amongst travellers, however they are more common in the general population than people may think.

Common parasitic infections found in Western Countries include:

Trichomoniasis

Giardiasis

Cryptosporidiosis

Toxoplasmosis

Parasitic infections can be caused by three types of organisms:

Protozoa

Helminths

Ectoparasites

Parasitic infections are more likely to occur in those who:

Have compromised immunity, such as people with HIV/AIDS infection.

Live or travel in tropical or subtropical regions of the world

Swim in lakes, rivers, or ponds where Giardia or other parasites are common

Work with soil regularly

Own an outdoor cat - outdoor cats can come into contact with infected rodents and birds. This makes their owners more likely to contract toxoplasmosis, a type of protozoa.

Different types of parasitic infection

Ectoparasites are multi-celled organisms that live on or feed off your skin. They include some insects and arachnids, such as mosquitos, fleas, ticks, and mites.

Gastroenteritis-causing parasites: Gastroenteritis is a condition characterised by irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines; this may cause diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea. Infections of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of gastroenteritis are common for certain intestinal parasites, such as Giardia lamblia (Giardia duodenalis, Giardia intestinalis), Cryptosporidium parvum or Cryptosporidium hominis, and Entamoeba histolytica, among others.

Intestinal parasites remain considerable public health problems in low-income countries where poor food hygiene practice is common. These infections usually manifest with some degree of abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea.

Common varieties of intestinal worms include:

• flatworms, which include tapeworms and flukes
• roundworms, which cause ascariasis, pinworm, and hookworm infections

Practice food safety:

Avoid raw fish and meat

Thoroughly cook meat to temperatures of at least 62.8°C for whole cuts of meat and 71°C for ground meat and poultry

Let cooked meat rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming

Freeze fish or meat to –20°C for at least 24 hours

Wash, peel, or cook all raw fruits and vegetables

Wash or reheat any food that falls on the floor

Nutritional depletion from parasitic infections

Nutritional depletion is another untoward consequence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections. The depletion of water and electrolytes is a danger in individuals with severe diarrhoea.[i]

Hookworms pose a particular problem, by attaching to the intestinal lining, these parasites ingest human blood, which results in anaemia [ii]

Common symptoms of intestinal worms are:

• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• Gas and bloating
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain/ tenderness

Parasitic infections can be diagnosed via [iii]:

• A blood test
• A faecal exam: a sample of stool will be collected and checked for parasites and eggs.
• An endoscopy or colonoscopy: Such tests may be ordered if the results of a stool exam are inconclusive.
• X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized axial tomography (CAT): These scans are used to check for signs of lesions or injury to organs caused by parasites.

Supplemental suggestions for parasitic infections

Wormwood is a nutrient-dense herb that has proven health benefits. It can also remove unwanted parasites

Caprylic acid found in coconut oil and isolated supplements, has shown anti parasitic effects against several parasite varieties.

Cloves and berberine also have antiparasitic action, as seen in cases of amoebae and can be used successfully to treat giardia infections [i] [ii] [iii] [iv]

The Nutritional Team here at Therapy Organics can help if you suspect you many have a parasite. We offer nutritional consultations and testing to identify any parasites and help you clear them using natures remedies. A parasite cleanse should be done under the advice of an expert.