Health condition · plain-language reference

Parasitic Diseases

Parasites are living things that use other living things - like your body - for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not. Parasites range in size from tiny, one-celled organisms called protozoa to worms that can be seen with the naked eye. Some parasitic diseases occur in the United States. Contaminated water supplies can lead to Giardia infections . Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis , which is dangerous for pregnant women. Others, like malaria , are common in other parts of the world. If you are traveling , it's important to drink only water you know is safe. Prevention is especially important. There are no vaccines for parasitic diseases. Some medicines are available to treat parasitic infections.

Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM) ↗. For informational purposes only — not medical advice.