Parasitic infections happen when tiny organisms live in or on your body. Some cause only mild itch or upset stomach, while others can make you very sick. This page gives straight answers: what to look for, how doctors check for parasites, and practical steps to prevent and treat them.
Gut parasites — like Giardia, Entamoeba, and some tapeworms — usually cause diarrhea, cramping, gas, nausea, and fatigue. If you get sudden watery diarrhea after hiking, camping, or drinking untreated water, Giardia is a likely cause. Blood parasites — such as malaria or babesiosis — bring fever, chills, sweats, and muscle aches. These often come in cycles: fever spikes, then drops, then spikes again.
Skin parasites include scabies mites and lice. Scabies causes intense nighttime itching and a rash in skin folds (between fingers, wrists, waist). Lice cause localized itching on the scalp, body, or pubic area and are very contagious through close contact. Worms like roundworms and hookworms can cause belly pain, poor weight gain in kids, and sometimes anemia. Some infections have few symptoms at first, so pay attention if something feels off after travel, new pets, or risky food or water exposure.
Doctors usually start by asking about travel, food, pets, and symptoms. Tests may include stool samples, blood tests, or skin scrapings. Treatment depends on the parasite: metronidazole or tinidazole often treats Giardia, albendazole or mebendazole treats many intestinal worms, ivermectin treats scabies and some other parasites, and specific antimalarial drugs treat malaria. Follow the full course the doctor prescribes, even if you feel better sooner.
For comfort at home, stay hydrated, rest, and use OTC pain relievers for fever and aches after checking with your clinician. For skin parasites, wash bedding, towels, and clothes in hot water and dry on high heat. Vacuum furniture and carpets and avoid close contact until treatment is complete. Don’t share hats, combs, or bedding during treatment.
Prevention beats cure. Drink treated or bottled water in high-risk areas. Cook meat fully and wash fruits and vegetables. Use insect repellent and bed nets in regions with malaria or other insect-borne parasites. Wash hands after the bathroom, before eating, and after handling pets. Keep pets on vet-recommended deworming and flea programs.
See a doctor right away for high fever, bloody stool, severe dehydration, fainting, difficulty breathing, or very bad abdominal pain. Also get checked if symptoms last more than a week or come back after treatment. Small habits—clean water, good handwashing, safe food, and pet care—cut your risk a lot. Pay attention, act fast, and talk to a clinician when in doubt.
In today's blog post, I want to emphasize the vital role that sanitation and hygiene play in preventing parasitic infections. Proper waste disposal, clean water supply, and regular handwashing are some of the essential practices we need to adopt for a healthy life. By maintaining good hygiene, we can significantly reduce the risk of getting infected by parasitic diseases like malaria, giardiasis, and schistosomiasis. It's also essential to educate ourselves and our communities about the dangers of poor sanitation and the importance of maintaining cleanliness. By working together, we can create a healthier environment and protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of parasitic infections.