what you don't know can't harm you...very wrong for these guys, they are the carriers of some of the world's deadliest diseases and also very disturbing botanical names

for these guys size is not a problem,this is our official countdown for the most terrible, dangerous and deadliest parasites.


10. Pinworms

Popularly referred to as THREAD WORMS is a parasitic disease known to cause enterobiasis (or pinworm infection). Found worldwide, the Pinworm is one of the most common parasitic infections in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania. The parasite itself is a thin, white worm known scientifically as the Enterobius vermicularis. The worm is usually the length of a staple and is known to infect the colon and rectum of humans. Although all individuals (regardless of age, sex, or race) are susceptible to the disease, researchers have discovered that children are at the highest risk of infection. Because Pinworms are spread via the fecal-oral route, children (particularly those in childcare centers) are at a much higher risk of infection as finger-sucking and nail-biting are more common in this age group. Common symptoms of the parasite include severe itching around the anal/rectum region (particularly at night), abdominal pain, irritability, nausea, weight loss, and the presence of small worms around the rectal area. In more severe cases, pinworms can even enter into the urinary tract causing infections and difficulties with urination

9. TOXOPLASMA GONDII


Toxoplasma Gondii is a highly infectious parasite known to cause toxoplasmosis.
The disease is common in uncooked food, but is found predominantly in cat feces. The disease can be spread to adults and children who come into contact with fecal matter, with pregnant women being among the most susceptible to infection. For this reason, pregnant women are often encouraged to avoid cats during their pregnancy, as toxoplasmosis can be given to unborn babies causing severe complications (known as congenital toxoplasmosis).

It is estimated that nearly half of the world’s population is infected with the parasite at some point in their life, with approximately 11-percent of the American population affected annually (most unaware of their infection). There are also 200,000 new cases of congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosed each year.

After being infected, diagnosis of the parasite is difficult to obtain as the disease possesses no obvious symptoms aside from a mild flu-like illness a few weeks after infection. Infection is known to have three separate stages, including “Acute Toxoplasmosis,” “Latent Toxoplasmosis,” and “Cutaneous Toxoplasmosis.” However, in healthy adults, symptoms rarely present themselves as the body’s immune system is usually able to suppress the parasite enough to prevent sudden illness

8. FILARIAL WORM


Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of filarial worms (also known as roundworms). The worms are commonly spread via mosquito bites, where they enter the blood stream of their new host and actively attack the lymphatic system. Although many individuals experience no symptoms upon initial infection, others develop severe swelling of the arms, breasts, legs, and genitals known as elephantiasis. Although rarely fatal, the worm’s impairment of the lymphatic system causes severe disabilities causing extreme pain and often times social exclusion throughout third-world countries (as the individuals are usually stigmatized by local communities).

7. THE TAPE WORM


The Tapeworm is a flat, segmented worm known to reside in the intestinal tract of animals, and is believed to infect livestock after the consumption of contaminated water. These parasites are then spread to humans after consuming raw or uncooked meat from infected animals (including pigs, fish, and cows). Although easily treated, long-term infection can cause life-threatening conditions for humans as the worm continues to grow; blocking intestinal ducts, causing seizures, muscle and eye damage, as well severe damage to vital organs within the body. In more advanced cases, the tapeworm is also capable of entering other parts of the body, causing severe damage to an individual’s heart, liver, and brain. The Tapeworm thrives in the human body by absorbing key nutrients through their skin. Although most tapeworms are relatively small (1/250 of an inch), some have reached astounding lengths of nearly 50 feet (15.23 meters). Although deaths are relatively rare in the United States, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 50,000 people die from tapeworm infections (and their complications) each year, worldwide.

6. THE HOOKWORMS


Hookworms are parasitic worms that are known to infect the small intestine of humans. Currently, there are two species of the parasite known to infect humans, including the Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. The parasite is primarily found in the soil of warm and moist climates; particularly in areas where sanitation levels are below standard. For this reason, walking barefoot on contaminated ground remains the primary transmitter for this disease, as the larvae attaches itself to the body and penetrates through the skin. After infection, common symptoms include itching and localized rashes. However, these symptoms are usually short-lived, as light infections rarely produce additional complications. In cases of serious infections, individuals are known to experience non-specific symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, and anemia. Advanced symptoms also include extreme weight loss, cardiac failure, and indigestion, vomiting, and the development of protein deficiencies. Infections in children are most problematic, as the physical and cognitive development of the child can be greatly affected by the presence of hookworms in their bodies

Front page worthy!

5. WHIPWORMS

Whipworms are a soil-based parasite known to infect approximately 604 to 795 million people per year, worldwide. Similar to hookworms, whipworms are primarily transmitted to humans via contaminated soil. Vegetables, fruits, and dirty hands/fingers are often the primary transmitters of the parasite’s eggs, which enter humans through the mouth if proper hygiene is not followed regularly. Upon entering the body, whipworms take up residence in the large intestine causing either light or heavy infections over time. In light infections, individuals are usually asymptomatic; however, in cases of heavy infection, the most common symptom of whipworms includes painful bowel movements that contain a mixture of mucus, blood, and water (cdc.gov). In more serious infections, bloody diarrhea, extreme nausea, vomiting, headaches, and severe weight loss are also common, along with rectal prolapse, and appendicitis. In children, the effects of whipworms are often the most serious, and can impede cognitive growth and development, as well as anemia, and nutritional deficiency. Although the number of deaths caused from the parasite are currently unknown, it is estimated that whipworm-related deaths are around the same number as hookworms, approximately 62,000 per year, worldwide.

4. SCHISTOSOMA


Schistosoma, also know as “Blood Flukes,” are parasitic flatworms from the genus trematodes. Blood Flukes derive from freshwater snails, and are commonly found in ponds, lakes, and standing bodies of water. Humans commonly contract the parasite after wading into infected water. Once in, the flukes attach themselves to the skin, and literally drill their way into the body; entering blood vessels until they make their way to the intestinal tract of their host. From there, the Blood Fluke begins producing large numbers of eggs, which are flushed out of the body (via stool), and hatch later in fresh water. Although the eggs are incapable of hatching inside their human host, on occasion the eggs get swept towards the liver where they cause severe inflammation and swelling. Symptoms are relatively rare for Blood Fluke infections, making diagnosis difficult.

Depending on the species of the Blood Fluke, humans can develop a wide range of issues, however, including fever, cough, abdominal cramps/pain, diarrhea, hepatosplenomegaly (swelling of the liver and spleen, as well as eosinophilia (high-levels of white blood cells).

It is important to note that these symptoms derive from the body’s reaction to the eggs, rather than the worms themselves.

3. ACANTHAMOEBA


Acanthamoeba is an extremely dangerous amoeba parasite found in soil, air, ponds, lakes, and oceans worldwide. The parasite is known to cause Acanthamoeba Keratitis (which is a rare but serious infection of the eye that can result in permanent blindness), as well as GAE - Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (Brain and Spinal Cord Infection), or “Disseminated Infection.” Left untreated, the amoeba is capable of affecting the skin and central nervous systems of its host with deadly consequences.

Although most people are exposed to the Acanthamoeba during their lifetimes, only a very few people will become ill after their exposure. Although little is known about the parasite, researchers believe that it infects humans through the nasal passageways, eyes, or ulcerated/broken skin. Depending on the infection, diagnosis of the parasite is often quite difficult, and is usually not noticed until the infection reaches advanced stages. In individuals with GAE, swelling and inflammation of the lungs, sinuses, and brain are common, along with loss of coordination, mental duress, fever, muscle weakness, paralysis, double vision, and a host of various neurological problems.

2. MALARIA


we are very familair with this one sure but do you know Malaria is a mosquito-based disease caused by four different parasites known as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malaria. The parasites are known to actively infect mosquitos which, in turn, transmit the disease to humans when they are bitten. Although less common, malaria may also be spread via blood transfusions, organ transplants, or through the sharing of contaminated needles. Following initial infection, an incubation period of approximately seven to thirty days follows before the first symptoms begin. In other species of malaria, the first symptoms may not appear for several months (upwards of a year). As a result, diagnosing malaria, particularly in its inchoate phases, is relatively difficult for doctors. Currently two variants of the disease are recognized: uncomplicated and severe. In uncomplicated cases, symptoms last only six to ten hours and include fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and severe sweating. In severe malaria, however, the disease is known to attack the body’s vital organs and blood stream, causing severe anemia (due to the destruction of red blood cells), loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, and neurological abnormalities. Other issues include hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, severe respiratory distress (ARDS), hemoglobinuria (presence of hemoglobin in urine), cerebral malaria, as well as acute kidney failure.

1. NAGLERIA FOWLERI ALIAS THE BRAIN EATING AMOEBA

Relax guys its not a nigeria parasite lol but it sounds like it.

Naegleria is an amoeba (a single-celled organism) found in the soil and warm bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, rivers, swimming pools, and hot springs. Although several species of this amoeba exist, only one is known to actively infect humans: Naegleria Fowleri (Brain-Eating Amoeba). The amoeba is considered extremely dangerous to humans, and often enters the body through the nose.

This commonly occurs when individuals are swimming or diving in warm bodies of water, as the sudden entry of water into the nose allows the amoeba to travel deep into the nasal cavity, where it begins to actively move towards the brain. Although infections for this parasite are extremely rare (affecting only 34 people in the United States during the last ten years), experts agree that infections appear to be on the rise, worldwide, with the summer months being the primary time of infection (due to the presence of warmer waters).

the parasite is known to cause “Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis” (PAM) – a brain infection that rapidly destroys brain tissue. Initial symptoms are very similar to bacterial meningitis, and include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and fevers. As the infection progresses, advanced symptoms include stiff neck, lack of coordination, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations as the infection begins to cause severe brain swelling. After the first signs of the parasite begin, death usually follows within five days.

Op, you have to make adjustment to the 2nd deadliest parasite. Your topic's caption highlights the parasites, not the diseases. Malaria was highlighted as the parasite at no. 2. That should be corrected by highlighting 'Plasmodium' as the parasite, not malaria, ok?

buhari should be 1

Herdsmen....

an ibo person in Asia

What of girls leeching on their boyfriends �