From the Guidelines
Symptoms of parasites can vary widely, but common signs include digestive issues, fatigue, weight loss, and skin problems, and if you suspect a parasitic infection, seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms of parasites can be diverse and depend on the type of parasite, but common signs include:
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating
- Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies despite adequate food intake
- Skin problems like rashes, itching, or hives
- Fever, muscle aches, and joint pain
- Sleep disturbances, grinding teeth at night, and rectal itching (especially at night) are particularly common with certain intestinal parasites
- Blood in stool, anemia, and eosinophilia (elevated white blood cell count) may be detected in laboratory tests, as noted in studies such as 1 Specific parasites can cause unique symptoms, for example, malaria causes cyclical fevers, while tapeworms may cause hunger despite weight loss, and hookworm infections can result in anemia, particularly in young children, as described in 1 and 1. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, provides guidance on the investigation and management of eosinophilia in returning travelers and migrants, and recommends albendazole PO 400 mg daily for 3 days as treatment for hookworm infections. Symptoms often develop gradually and can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis challenging without specific testing, and it is essential to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis through stool tests, blood tests, or imaging studies, as appropriate treatment depends on identifying the specific parasite involved, as emphasized in 1 and 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Parasites
The symptoms of parasites can vary depending on the type of parasite and the individual affected. Some common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea [(2,3,4,5,6)]
- Abdominal pain [(2,3,4,5,6)]
- Weight loss [(2,3,4,5)]
- Nausea and vomiting [(3,5)]
- Malabsorption 3
- Borborygmi (rumbling noise in the abdomen) 2
- Cachexia (a condition characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, and loss of appetite) 2
- Protein and electrolyte loss 2
- Anemia 3
- Pica (craving for non-food substances) 3
- Wasting 3
- Intestinal ulcerations 3
- Bloody diarrhea 3
- Fever [(3,4)]
- Gastrointestinal obstruction 3
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity) 3
- Liver abscess 3
Diagnostic Challenges
Diagnosing parasitic infections can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms, insensitive diagnostic techniques, and asymptomatic carriage 6. Conventional techniques like microscopy are not very sensitive, while advanced techniques like molecular methods are more sensitive but expensive and not readily available in resource-limited settings 6. Newer cost-effective diagnostic techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity are required to detect the infectious agent and for appropriate management 6.