Parasites are likely to infect most everyone. It is estimated that as many as 85% of the world’s population is infected with one parasite or another. In fact, it is highly likely that you are infected by anyone or more of than over 1000 known parasites which can live in your body at any one time.
It’s believed by some scientists that parasitic infection is more responsible for diseases like cancer, diabetes and liver dysfunction and others than traditionally accepted. Parasitic infections accelerate HIV to full blown AIDS.
Parasites are difficult to test for, and often present symptomatic characteristics of other diseases, like flu and colds, migraine headaches, cysts, neurological disorders, anemia, chronic fatigue and general tiredness, frequent constipation, chronic weight problems, iron deficiency, etc.
Mostly we become infected with parasites from our food and water sources. Undercooked meat (beef, pork, poultry) and undercooked or raw seafood (raw oysters, sushi) are the most common vectors, as well as unwashed fruits and vegetables. Drinking contaminated water and swimming in water as found in lakes and rivers will expose us to parasites as well.
Parasites can also be transmitted by human contact alone, through drinking from the same glass, eating from the same utensils, kissing, sneezing and other exchanges of body fluids. Animals (pets and their fleas/mites/ticks) are also common carriers which transmit the parasite to human hosts. Simply petting and grooming our pets can facilitate infection, the parasites’ eggs passing from their fur to our hands, nose and mouth.
Some parasites (eg. pinworms) can even be transmitted through the air and are in the dust we breath. It’s likely, therefore, that those who live in the same household will all have the same parasitic infections, whether they are currently symptomatic or not.
