A parasitic infection occurs when a parasite lives in or on a host and causes infection, damage, or other harmful effects.
Parasites depend on their hosts for some or all of their survival and reproduction. Human parasites include protozoa, such as Plasmodium, and parasitic worms, such as certain roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes.
Parasitic infections can affect different organs and tissues and may be transmitted through contaminated food or water, insect bites, contact with infected people or animals, or other routes. Treatment depends on the type of parasite and the infection involved.
QUICK FACT
Malaria is a parasitic infection. It is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Fungal infection — Fungi and parasites are biologically different and are treated with different classes of medicines.
SEE ALSO
- Parasite
- Antiparasitic
- Anthelmintic
- Antimalarial
- Malaria
- Plasmodium
- Infectious agent