Infections of humans caused by parasites number in the billions and range from relatively innocuous to fatal. The diseases caused by these parasites constitute major human health problems throughout the world. (For example, approximately 30 percent of the world's population is infected with the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides.) The incidence of many parasitic diseases (e.g., schistosomiasis, malaria) have increased rather than decreased in recent years. Other parasitic illnesses have increased in importance as a result of the AIDS epidemic (e.g., cryptosporidiosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and strongyloidiasis). The migration of parasite-infected people, including refugees, from areas with high prevalence rates of parasitic infection also has added to the health problems of certain countries.
A parasite is an organism that lives on or within another organism. The organism on which or within which it lives is referred to as the host. While a parasite–host relationship may be one of mutual benefit (mutualism) or one in which the host derives no benefit but is not injured by the relationship (commensalism), the term parasitism is used in this chapter to mean that the parasite is afforded physical protection or nourishment to the detriment of its human host. Often, the means by which a parasite is transmitted to the host involves an agent (eg, arthropod,mollusk), which is referred to as the vector of disease transmission. In a biological vector, the parasite undergoes development or multiplication prior to transmission. On the other hand, a mechanical vector carries or transmits the organism without any biological modification of its life cycle.
Medical parasitology traditionally has included the study of three major groups of animals: parasitic protozoa, parasitic helminths (worms), and those arthropods that directly cause disease or act as vectors of various pathogens. A parasite is a pathogen that simultaneously injures and derives sustenance from its host. Some organisms called parasites are actually commensals, in that they neither benefit nor harm their host (for example, Entamoeba coli). Although parasitology had its origins in the zoologic sciences, it is today an interdisciplinary field, greatly influenced by microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, and other life sciences. The most common parasites to infect humans in the United States and Canada are giardia (Giardia lamblia), Entamoeba histolytica, cryptosporidium (Cryptosporidium spp.), roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), and tapeworm (Taenia spp.).
Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism - the host - is the source of food and/or shelter for another organism, the parasite. Here one organism benefits from the relationship while the other is neither helped nor hurt. Example: a few orchids growing epiphytically on a tree. If there are a lot of commensals on a single "host" then it stands to reason that the host will be hurt and the relationship will slide towards the parasitic (Note: some ecologists define parasitism functionally, that is the parasite must be adapted to feed on the host; other ecologists define the terms logically, that is if the host is hurt and the parasite benefits then the relationship is parasitic, even if feeding does not take place. This latter definition makes many commensal relationships appear parasitic.)
Parasites on the skin are usually small insects or worms that burrow into the skin to live there or lay their eggs.There are many types of parasitic skin infections. Antiparasitics are a class of medications which are indicated for the treatment of infection by parasites such as nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, infectious protozoa, and amoebas.Diseases caused by protozoan and helminth parasites are among the leading causes of death and disease in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Efforts to control the invertebrate vector (carrier, such as the mosquito) of these diseases are often difficult and no vaccines are currently licensed to prevent or control the spread of parasitic diseases.
Parasite infections can lead to a variety of symptoms, including gas, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal cramping and pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, rash, cough, itching anus, and bloody or foul-smelling stools.Over the counter antidiarrheal drugs, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D®), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol®), and attapulgite (Kaopectate®), might be helpful. Supportive care with the replacement of fluids and electrolytes, sometimes with the use of oral rehydration solutions (Pedialyte®, Ceralyte®, Infalyte®), is often recommended.
Kill Parasite / Worm Natarully :
*Berberine is derived from several plants, including barberry, Oregon grape, goldenseal, and goldthread (Coptis chinensis). Preliminary trials have shown that berberine can be used successfully to treat giardia infections.
*Emetine and other alkaloids in ipecac kill several types of parasites, including amoeba, pinworms, and tapeworms
*In a preliminary trial, patients with schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection) were treated with a combination of resin and volatile oil of myrrh,
*Garlic has been demonstrated to kill parasites, including amoeba9 and hookworm,10 in test tubes and in animals. Older studies in humans support the use of garlic to treat roundworm, pinworm, and hookworm.
*Wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is a traditional remedy for infections with worms.
*Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) have purported effects against tapeworms. Given their safety, they are often recommended as an addition to other, more reliable therapies. In Germany, 200–400 grams are commonly ground and taken with milk and honey, followed by castor oil two hours later
*Several other herbs are traditionally used for treatment of parasites, including male fern (Dryopteris filix mas) root, tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) leaf, wormwood, sweet Annie, black walnut (Juglans nigra) fruit, and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum).
*In some cultures, it was customary to bathe in chaparral once per year to eliminate skin parasites and to detoxify; however, there is no modern research demonstrating the effectiveness of this use of chaparral.
*Anise may have modest antiparasitic actions and has been recommended by some practitioners as a treatment for mild intestinal parasite infections.
*Curled mint (Mentha crispa) leaf, a close relative of peppermint, has been shown in a preliminary trial to help relieve the symptoms of giardia and amoeba infections in children and adults, as well as to eliminate these parasites in many cases.
Cautionary tips: Any herb potent enough to kill parasites could potentially harm the person taking it. Although some of these herbs have antiparasitic actions in test tubes,18 none has been adequately tested in modern trials for efficacy or safety in humans. Safe and proper use requires the skills of an experienced practitioner.
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