Food safety issues have always been something that cannot be ignored, and some seemingly normal living and eating habits can accidentally allow those invisible and intangible parasites to invade the human body, posing a huge threat to our health.
Some foods can make you eat 6,000 parasites in one bite; Some foods that you think are safe and common, but there may be as many as five, six, seven or eight kinds of parasites on it, and different parasites cause different injuries to people. There are foods that you can still struggle to wipe out even if you have cooked them in a way that you think is safe at high temperatures.
Some parasites love to attack your intestines and make your intestines ulcerate; Some of them attack your brain, parasitizing and multiplying in your brain, and by the time they are discovered, they may have been "four generations in the same house"; Some parasites can also travel around your body, from your brain to your anus......
It's tingling on the scalp when you think about it, isn't it? Don't think these things are far away from you, because there are many cases of parasites every year, such as the author himself, who only a few days ago received a patient who had been suffering from parasites and vomiting and diarrhea for several weeks.
The parasite's "preferences"
The world of parasites is diverse, and their "preferences" for the host's body also vary.
1
Destroyer of the intestines
Fasciola brucei, a parasite that likes to make its home in the intestines, and their presence can cause intestinal ulcers. If you accidentally eat water chestnuts (water chestnuts), water chestnuts, lotus roots, and water chestnuts raw or undercooked, you may become a target for them.
The life cycle of Fasciola brucei consists of an intermediate host and a definitive host, usually the intermediate host is an aquatic plant, while the definitive host is human. When people eat aquatic plants that contain larvae, the larvae develop into adult worms in the intestines.
The above foods, I believe that the southern friends should be no strangers, and even many friends have the experience of eating them raw, some places even sell water chestnuts/water chestnuts as fruits, eating raw in the past does not mean that they will be fine in the future, food safety is a big matter, not to be taken lightly~
2
A full-body wanderer
Tapeworms, these parasites like to swim inside the host's body, from the brain to the anus, everywhere. Undercooked beef and pork often contain tapeworms and tapeworms.
The life cycle of tapeworms also includes an intermediate host, which is usually a cow or pig, and a final host, which is a human. When people eat beef or pork that contains tapeworm larvae, tapeworms mature in the human body.
3
Invaders of the liver and lungs
Lung flukes, which are particularly fond of attacking the liver and lungs of the human body. Many people like to eat raw pickled foods, which precisely provides an opportunity for lung flukes to invade. The intermediate host of lung flukes is usually freshwater snails, while the definitive host is humans. When people eat raw, pickled foods that contain lung fluke larvae, lung flukes mature in the human body.
Here you need to knock on the blackboard again, I know that many friends love to eat raw pickles, but this way of eating is really a huge hidden danger, vinegar, mustard, chili pepper and liquor can not kill insects, especially freshwater creatures, not eating raw is the last word~
4
Attackers of the central nervous system
Angiostrongyloides, a parasite that can enter the human body through a mouthful of snails, may be as high as 6,000 in number. Even stir-frying and shabu-shabu are difficult to completely eliminate them, and eating them raw is even more dangerous.
The intermediate host of Angiostrongyloides cantonensis is usually freshwater snails, while the final host is humans. When people eat snails that contain Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae, the parasites mature in the human body.
5
Parasites of the brain
Schizocephalic mansoni, a parasite that can multiply in the brain, is commonly found in snakes, frogs and other game. The intermediate host of Schizocephalus mansoni is usually a snake or frog, while the ultimate host is humans. When a person eats a snake or frog that contains the larvae of S. mansoni, the parasite matures in the human body.
on the same animal
"The Gathering of Parasites"
Animals may have many different parasites on their bodies, and together they make up a complex ecosystem.
1
hare
Toxoplasma gondii, encephalitis protozoa, hepatic capillary elegans, fasciola hepatica, schistosomiasis Japan, cysticerci and continuous polycephaly may be present in hares. The presence of these parasites makes the hare a "hodgepodge" of parasites.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that is widely found in felines, but it can also be transmitted to humans by eating undercooked hare meat.
2
snake
Snakes may also have glossiformes, Diegonia mansoni, Cryptosporidium, Jaw nematodes, Angiostrongyloides cantonensis, and Tapeworm mesophyllum in the snake. The presence of these parasites makes snakes a dangerous carrier of parasites. Glossiformis is a parasite that lives in snakes, and they are transmitted through the blood of snakes and can pose a threat to humans.
3
pig
Pigs are not only hosts for T. solium, but may also carry Trichinella, Porcine Sporozoides, etc. Trichinella infection can cause trichinosis, a serious foodborne illness, and porcine sporozoides can cause sarcosporidiosis.
4
cattle
In addition to being hosts for the tapeworm, cattle may also carry cysticerci bovis, the larval stage of the tapeworm bovine, which can cause cysticercosis, affecting the brain and muscles of humans and animals.
5
Sheep and goats
These ruminants may carry Fasciola hepatica, lung flukes, etc. Fasciola hepatica infection can cause serious liver disease, while lung flukes can cause lung infections.
6
Chickens and ducks
Poultry can be a host for Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can infect a variety of hosts and is especially dangerous for pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.
7
dog
Canines can carry toxocardia, a parasite that can cause canine toxocosis and is also at risk in humans, especially children.
8
cat
Cats are the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii and can shed Toxoplasma gondii eggs through feces, posing a risk of infection to humans.
9
Freshwater fish and shellfish
These aquatic animals may carry liver flukes, lung flukes, Angiostrongyloides cantonensis, etc. Eating undercooked freshwater fish or shellfish can lead to parasitic infections.
10
Frogs and tadpoles
Frogs and tadpoles may carry Schizocephalus, a parasite that can cause Schizocephalosis, which carries a high risk of infection in humans, especially children.
11
Snails and snails
Snails and snails are intermediate hosts for many parasites, including lung flukes and Angiostrongyloides cantonensis.
There are many kinds of parasites on these animals, and they can be transmitted to humans through the food chain, direct contact, or the environment.
Strategies to prevent parasites
In the face of the threat of parasites, we need to take a series of precautions to ensure that our health is not compromised by these invisible enemies.
1
Cook food thoroughly
Ensure that all meat, fish, and seafood are adequately cooked before eating, and that the internal temperature is up to safe standards to eliminate possible parasites. For some parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, cooking temperatures above 67 degrees Celsius are required.
2
Raw and cooked foods are strictly separated
When preparing food, use different knives, cutting boards, and containers to handle raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
3
Avoid raw or undercooked animal products
Certain parasites, such as liver flukes and lung flukes, are commonly found in raw or undercooked animal livers and lungs. Avoid eating these animal offal that have not been adequately processed.
4
Refuse game
Wild animals may carry a variety of unknown parasites due to the uncertainty of their living environment. Avoid eating any wild animals that have not been quarantined to reduce the risk of infection.
5
Safe drinking and treating water
Make sure drinking water is properly treated, such as boiling, filtering, or using disinfectants. Avoid drinking water from unknown sources, especially outdoors or while traveling.
6
personal hygiene
Frequent hand washing is one of the effective ways to prevent parasitic infections. In particular, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food, after using the toilet, and after touching pets or animals.
7
Pet management
If you have pets, make sure they are also far away from the threat of parasites. Deworm your pet regularly, avoid letting your pet prey on wild animals, and keep your pet clean and healthy.
8
Note for travelers
When traveling to areas with a high incidence of parasitic diseases, pay special attention to the safety of food and water. Choose reputable restaurants to eat, avoid food from street vendors, and drink only bottled or treated water.
9
Food processing and storage
During food processing and storage, appropriate measures are taken to prevent parasite contamination. For example, make sure that the temperature of refrigerated foods is low enough to inhibit the growth and reproduction of parasites.
10
Regular medical check-ups
Get regular check-ups, especially for people who live in areas with a high incidence of parasitic diseases or have high-risk behaviors. Early detection and treatment of parasitic infections can reduce their long-term effects on the body.
Coping strategies when parasitic infection is suspected
What should you do if you suspect you have a parasite?
1
Seek prompt medical attention
As soon as symptoms are detected, you should seek medical attention immediately and a diagnosis will be made by a medical professional. Symptoms of parasitic infections may include:
Digestive symptoms: Parasitic infections can cause digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may affect the patient's appetite and nutrient absorption.
Neurological symptoms: Certain parasites, such as Schizocephalic mansoni and Angiostrongyloides cantonii, may invade the central nervous system, causing headaches, seizures, vision problems, and even coma.
Skin symptoms: Parasitic infections can also cause skin symptoms such as rash, itching, and swelling. These symptoms may affect the patient's daily life and sleep quality.
Systemic symptoms: parasitic infections may cause systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms may affect the patient's overall health and quality of life.
2
Routine check-ups
Your doctor may recommend routine tests such as blood tests, stool tests, etc., to determine the type of parasite and the extent of infection.
3
Common medications
Depending on the type of parasite you are infecting, your doctor will prescribe medication for treatment. Antiparasitic drugs can target specific parasites and help remove them from the body.
Parasites may be tiny, but the threat they pose to our health cannot be ignored. By knowing them and taking effective precautions, we can protect ourselves from these invisible enemies.