How To Avoid The 3 Worst Parasites Known To Man

It is often true that the smallest organisms can cause the biggest damage to the human body. If you are going to be spending any time outdoors, or indoors for that matter, it is important to know which human parasites are most likely to cause major damage and how to avoid them.

1. Brain-eating amoebas

Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as brain-eating amoebas, is an amoeba species known for eating brain tissue. Their existence is quite rare as they tend to live in warm waters. It is not common that they find themselves in a human brain, but when they do the damage, they can be deadly.

Most commonly these amoebae enter the human body through the nose and they proceed to make their way up to your brain. Commonly your sense of smell and taste will be the first to go. Once it reaches the brain, the brain starts being inflamed as it tries to deal with the foreign

The best way to avoid them is to not immerse yourself fully in warm water lakes and springs. Skin contact or drinking water are not ways for you to get this parasite so it is a matter of keeping your nose above water.

2. Nematode worm

The nematode worm is known for causing a condition called Onchocerciasis. This infection leads to loss of vision as the worm can often block it once they reach your eyes. These are usually transmitted through blackfly bites in tropical regions in Africa and South America. They are most common near fast-moving rivers.

The best way to avoid these is by wearing insect repellent and clothing that stops bug bites from getting to you. Ivermectin medication can also destroy the parasite.

3. Guinea worm

The guinea worm lays its eggs in water. If you ingest this water then the worms grow and mature in your body. Eventually, they make their way out of your body, usually through a spot in your leg. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that you are only drinking from safe water sources, especially if you are in places of the world where this worm used to be more common.