Parasitic Infections

When dealing with parasitic infections, infections caused by organisms that live on or inside a host, often leading to illness. Also known as parasitiasis, they can affect skin, gut, blood, or even the brain. These infections usually need a specific diagnosis and a targeted treatment plan.

What Lives Inside Us?

The two main families you’ll hear about are protozoa, single‑cell organisms like Giardia or Plasmodium that multiply inside cells and helminths, multicellular worms such as tapeworms, roundworms, and flukes. Parasitic infections encompass both groups, meaning a clinician must consider a wide range of possible culprits. The right lab test—stool exam, blood smear, or molecular assay—helps pinpoint the exact parasite, which in turn guides therapy.

Once the organism is identified, antiparasitic drugs, medications designed to kill or inhibit parasites, become the cornerstone of care. Common classes include nitroimidazoles for protozoa and benzimidazoles for helminths. The choice of drug, dose, and treatment length depends on the parasite’s life cycle and the site of infection. For example, treating Giardia often involves a short course of metronidazole, while eradicating a tapeworm may require a single dose of praziquantel.

Prevention is just as important as treatment. Good hygiene, safe food handling, and vector control can cut the risk of many parasitic infections. Travelers should be especially cautious about water, uncooked foods, and insect bites. By understanding the link between exposure, organism type, and appropriate therapy, readers can stay ahead of these often‑overlooked health threats. Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that break down specific parasites, diagnostic tricks, and medication reviews to help you manage or prevent infection.