Parasites By Dr. Skye Weintraub Parasites should be an important part of every medical evaluation in cases of illness, especially digestive problems. Many parasites go undetected because they are not producing serious symptoms, or only produce symptoms at one stage in their lives. It is easy to attribute feeling ill to other causes because parasitic infections can look like a hundred other conditions. Whether you are currently feeling sick or not, you may be harboring parasites. Most people are unaware that these organisms are living inside them.
Parasites live everywhere and are commonly transmitted to humans in diverse ways.
These include through insect bites, drinking contaminated water, and eating undercooked meats and fish. Eating raw foods always increases the risk for parasites. Although we see the value in raw fruits and vegetables, they can harbor parasites. Parasites can also get into the body by unwashed hands being put into the mouth after being in contact with something that has the parasite in or on it. This could be by shaking hands, sharing drinks, kissing, and even inhaling dust that contains the eggs or cysts of these organisms.