Giardia lamblia |
A microscopic parasite often found in contaminated water and food. |
Diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, nausea, dehydration, weight loss |
Entamoeba histolytica |
A single-celled parasite that infects the intestines, often spread through contaminated food or water. |
Loose stools, abdominal pain, fever, bloody stools, fatigue |
Cryptosporidium |
A waterborne parasite that infects the intestines, particularly in pools or contaminated water. |
Watery diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps, fever, nausea |
Toxoplasma gondii |
Found in undercooked meat and cat feces; can cause toxoplasmosis, particularly dangerous for pregnant women. |
Flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, severe cases can affect the brain and other organs |
Pinworm |
A small worm that commonly infects children, transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. |
Itching around the anus, difficulty sleeping, irritability |
Tapeworm |
A flatworm that lives in the intestines, often spread through undercooked meat. |
Abdominal pain, digestive issues, weight loss, nausea, visible segments in stool |
Roundworm |
A common intestinal worm that spreads through contaminated soil or food. |
Abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, visible worms in stool, coughing (in cases of lung involvement) |
Hookworm |
A parasite that enters the body through the skin, often from contaminated soil. |
Itchy rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, anemia |
Whipworm |
An intestinal worm found in contaminated soil, often affecting children. |
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, growth delay in children |
Trichinella |
A parasite found in undercooked meat, especially pork, leading to trichinosis. |
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, muscle pain, swelling around the eyes |
Liver fluke |
A flatworm found in contaminated water plants or raw fish, can infect the liver and bile ducts. |
Fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, enlarged liver, nausea |
Schistosoma |
A blood fluke that enters through the skin, found in freshwater in certain regions. |
Rash, itchy skin, fever, chills, muscle aches, chronic infection can affect organs like liver and bladder |