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What Are the Signs of a Parasite Infection?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

Some of the most common signs of a parasite infection involve gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although other symptoms are also possible. Parasites can cause skin reactions such as itching, rashes, and open sores. Sleep disturbances, autoimmune dysfunction, and fatigue may also occur as a result of a parasite infection. Anemia, fever, and jaundice have been reported among some people who have been diagnosed with internal parasites. Any potential signs of a parasite infection should be reported to a doctor in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan.

The majority of parasite infections primarily affect the intestines, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea. Nausea, changes in appetite, and increased intestinal gas may also occur. Abnormal masses that resemble tumors may sometimes develop as a result of a parasite infection, often causing abdominal pain and constipation, especially if the mass causes an intestinal blockage.

Abdominal cramping is a possible sign of a parasite infection.
Abdominal cramping is a possible sign of a parasite infection.

A parasite infection may lead to skin changes such as a rash, itching, and weeping or oozing sores. In many cases, these symptoms are initially confused with other skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis. Redness, swelling, or blistering skin should be reported to a doctor for further evaluation. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders and should be able to differentiate between symptoms caused by parasites as opposed to other skin conditions.

A parasitic infection may cause skin changes, such as a rash.
A parasitic infection may cause skin changes, such as a rash.

Sleep disturbances may indicate the presence of a parasite infection, often due to itching or discomfort around the anus. Some parasites live just inside the intestinal tract and tend to crawl to the opening of the anus to lay eggs. Children are particularly prone to becoming infected with this type of parasite.

The immune system may become compromised if a parasite infection enters the bloodstream. A person with this type of infection may become fatigued easily or experience recurrent bacterial or viral infections. Anemia is a medical term used to describe a condition where there is not enough iron in the blood. This is among the possible circulatory system complications caused by the presence of parasites in the bloodstream.

Severe liver damage may be a sign of a parasitic infection.
Severe liver damage may be a sign of a parasitic infection.

Fever and jaundice may occur as a result of a parasite infection. Jaundice causes the skin and eyes to develop a yellow tint and may indicate liver damage. Muscle or joint pain may also develop as parasites invade these tissues. Without proper medical treatment, severe parasitic infections can prove to be fatal. For this reason, it is important to report any unusual or bothersome symptoms to a doctor so that treatment can begin as early as possible.

Discussion Comments

discographer

@fBoyle-- Yes. Basically parasites weaken the immune system. Blood parasites can do that by infection various organs. Intestinal parasites can do it by affecting the absorption of vitamins and minerals which keep the immune system strong. The result can be recurrent infections that seem to come out of nowhere.

Talk to your doctor about this so that they can run some tests to check for parasite infections. If something is found, you will be given prescription medications to get rid of the parasites.

There are also parasite cleansing kits but I think those are better for people with mild symptoms or who are trying to prevent a parasitic infection. Talk to your doctor for the most accurate advice on this because I'm definitely not an expert.

fBoyle

So repeated unrelated infections can be a sign of a parasite infection? I've been getting sick a lot lately. I've had a sinus infection, an ear infection and a skin infection in the past three months. Could it all be due to a parasite infection?

burcinc

I read recently that about half of all Americans have some sort of a parasitic infection. This leads me to believe that many people do not experience many symptoms or experience them mildly which cause them to ignore the signs of an infection.

I actually did not realize all that the parasitic infection was doing to me until I did a parasite cleanse and experienced so many improvements. I realized that I had no energy before the cleanse and I was always bloated. Sometimes I had diarrhea but it wasn't constant so I didn't take it seriously. Fatigue was really the biggest sign I experienced. I think parasites prevent absorption of vitamins and minerals which is the biggest cause of fatigue.

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    • Abdominal cramping is a possible sign of a parasite infection.
      By: sframe
      Abdominal cramping is a possible sign of a parasite infection.
    • A parasitic infection may cause skin changes, such as a rash.
      By: jovanmandic
      A parasitic infection may cause skin changes, such as a rash.
    • Severe liver damage may be a sign of a parasitic infection.
      By: acherst
      Severe liver damage may be a sign of a parasitic infection.
    • Sleep disturbances and fatigue may be a result of a parasitic infection.
      By: bramgino
      Sleep disturbances and fatigue may be a result of a parasitic infection.
    • Parasites that live in a patient's blood may only be detectable via blood work.
      By: Goran Bogicevic
      Parasites that live in a patient's blood may only be detectable via blood work.
    • Gastrointestinal disturbances like vomiting or diarrhea can be signs of a parasite infection.
      By: lightwavemedia
      Gastrointestinal disturbances like vomiting or diarrhea can be signs of a parasite infection.
    • A parasitic infection in the bloodstream may lead to anemia.
      By: joshya
      A parasitic infection in the bloodstream may lead to anemia.
    • Someone with a parasitic infection may become fatigued easily.
      By: Кирилл Рыжов
      Someone with a parasitic infection may become fatigued easily.