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Parasitic Diseases
Summary
Parasites are living things that use other living things – like your body – for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.
Parasites range in size from tiny, one-celled organisms called protozoa to worms that can be seen with the naked eye. Some parasitic diseases occur in the United States. Contaminated water supplies can lead to Giardia infections. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for pregnant women. Others, like malaria, are common in other
parts of the world.
If you are traveling, it’s important to drink only water you know is safe. Prevention is especially important. There are no vaccines for parasitic diseases. Some medicines are available to treat parasitic infections.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Specifics
- Acanthamoeba Keratitis FAQs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Balamuthia mandrillaris Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Blastocystis hominis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Cercarial Dermatitis (Swimmer’s Itch) FAQs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora Infection) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Naegleria Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Tapeworm Infection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Types of Neglected Tropical Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Start Here
- Alphabetical Index of Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Germs: Understand and Protect against Bacteria, Viruses, and Infections Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Parasites and Foodborne Illness Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
Patient Handouts
- Amebiasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Amebic liver abscess Medical Encyclopedia
- Ascariasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Creeping eruption Medical Encyclopedia
- Stool ova and parasites exam Medical Encyclopedia
- Tapeworm infection – beef or pork Medical Encyclopedia
Children
- Ascariasis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Children and Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Stool Tests Nemours Foundation
- Toxocariasis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Find an Expert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Lice Infestations National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Parasitic Diseases National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- Cysticercosis Medical Encyclopedia
- D-xylose absorption Medical Encyclopedia
- Echinococcus Medical Encyclopedia
- Fish tapeworm infection Medical Encyclopedia
- Hookworm infection Medical Encyclopedia
- Rectal culture Medical Encyclopedia
- Schistosomiasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Sleeping sickness Medical Encyclopedia
- Small bowel tissue smear/biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
- Smear of duodenal fluid aspirate Medical Encyclopedia
- Strongyloidiasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Tapeworm infection – hymenolepis Medical Encyclopedia
- Trichinosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Visceral larva migrans Medical Encyclopedia
- Whipworm infection Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Ova and Parasite Test National Library of Medicine
- Xylose Testing National Library of Medicine
Reference Desk
- Parasitic Diseases: Glossary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Journal Articles
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Transmission of Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Travelers’ Health: Water Disinfection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- When and How to Wash Your Hands Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Related Issues
- Travel/Travelers and Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Women
- Women and Parasitic Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention