History of Parasites

What are they? Where do they come from ?

Parasites are creepy little organisms that can live in or on you (or your pet) and steal nutrients to survive, all while causing you serious harm. Parasites originate mostly in the tropics, Subtropics and temperate climates (yes some parts of the US). History has it that they were souvenirs or heirlooms that came from migrating ancestors at the end of the ice age , some they brought with them while traveling and some they picked up along the way. There are many different types of parasites but, we’re going to focus on the nasty ones that can hurt us the most, even to the point of rigor mortis.

"What are the different types of parasites ?

There are three main classifications of parasites that can cause human disease and infection.

1. Protozoa

   Protozoa are single-cellular microscopic organism (you can’t see them with a naked eye) that can be free living in nature. These parasites are able to multiply in humans which contributes to how long they can and will live ( in other words , they need us to survive. ) These single-celled bastards can cause great disease and serious infections.

   Transmission of Protozoa—and most parasites. ( How does one ingest , or not , such thing )

   Protozoa can live in human intestines and can be transferred to another human through fecal and oral route (mouth and human feces). Some of the examples of fecal and oral route can include scenarios such as: consuming contaminated food and water and improper hygiene techniques such as: not washing your hands and fruits/veggies before consumption. This parasite also has a history of living in the tissue and the blood of its host and can be transferred to other humans through the use of a vector. Vectors are organisms like mosquitoes and sandflies that transmit a disease causing agent (pathogen) from one host to another.

2. Helminths (Derived from the greek term “Worms”)

   Helminths are large multi-cellular organisms that can be seen with the naked eye in their adult stages. They are also free living parasites in nature, but they are unable to multiply in human hosts in their adult stage. There are three main types of Helminths that are considered parasites :

   1. Flatworms - like tapeworms in your stomach (your granny might have called it a “Stomach bug”).

   2. Thorny head worms - which reside the gastrointestinal tract (the pathway for the digestive system).

   3. Roundworms- which also reside in the gastrointestinal tract, your lymphatic system and blood.

      3. Ectoparasites

      Ectoparasites are blood sucking arthropods (mosquitoes) that are the size of a sesame seed that depend on a blood meal from a human host to fully survive. Other ectoparasites include fleas, ticks and lice that latch onto the skin and stay there for an excessive period feeding entirely on your well being.

How Can we prevent Parasitic infections ?

The prevention of parasitic infections can be a gray area because we in America lack education in these type of infections , but there are a few things you can do:

• Practice good hygiene- this includes washing your hands with antibacterial soap and keeping your home clean.

• Safe food handling - A lot of parasites and harmful bacteria can come from not washing your fruits and veggies properly, not cleaning game/meat the correct way, (An effective way to clean meat is to use white vinegar or lemon juice) and not having clean water for consumption.

• Protect yourselves from insects - always carry bug spray (especially for mosquitoes) to protect you from insect bites.

Final thoughts.

The theory that parasitic infections only being common in third world countries is not only a myth but probably the most idiotic. Yes, we in America have clean water as well as fruits and vegetables that are agriculturally taken care of at a higher grade than in some countries who are suffering without this privilege , but they indeed exist and it takes one mistake to fall victim to any of these common parasites . Please remember to practice good hygiene, Wash your sheets at the end of the week , wash your hands and clean your food before consumption.

Citations (So I don’t get fined)

1. “What Causes Parasitic Diseases.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/parasites/causes/index.html. Accessed 15 May 2025.

2. Cox, F E G. “History of Human Parasitology.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2002, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC126866/.