Parasitic Diseases

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Introduction COVID-19, which has been declared a global pandemic by WHO, has already infected over 38 million people and claimed at least one million lives since the virus first emerged in late 2019 from Wuhan, China. 1,2 The global infection detection rate was close to 10%, and it is estimated that 66% of people have been infected at least once as of May 2022. 3 Based on these findings, the world has been dealing with a devastating COVID-19 pandemic. A variety of campaigns and actions are being undertaken to combat this pandemic, beginning with the establishment of local lockdowns and mass testing. 4,5 Furthermore, as a new promising way, COVID-19 vaccine can be called hope to reduce the mortality rate of infected individuals and return to some forms of normal life. 6 The United States has approved the use of two COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, both of which are to be administered in a two-dose sequence. Following Phase III clinical trials i...

A flea is a very small insect that survives by feeding on animal or human blood. Their bites can cause itchiness and irritation. Fleas can infect people or pets with germs that cause flea-borne typhus, plague, or cat scratch disease. The lifecycle of a flea General flea life cycle. (CDC) Most fleas have four life stages: Egg, larva, pupa (in a cocoon) and adult. According to the CDC, their life cycle can be very quick or last many months to years depending on the environment. After adult fleas find a human host, they mate and begin laying eggs in the fur and surroundings of the host. Eggs will hatch in one to ten days depending on environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). After hatching, fleas enter their larval stage. They are free-moving and feed on blood and flea feces in order to continue growing. Within five to 20 days of feeding on "flea dirt," the larva spin a cocoon and enter the pupa stage. The cocoon protects them from insecticides for several days or we...

If you believe the marketing hype, sucking on a zinc lozenge can stop a cold before your first sneeze. Alas, while zinc boosts your immune system, there's no evidence it has this particular superpower. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy But what zinc is good for is even more impressive. "This important nutrient supports healthy fetal development when you are pregnant," says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD. "It also plays key roles in fighting germs, healing wounds and more." Zumpano walks us through zinc's benefits and how to ensure you get enough from the foods you eat. What is zinc? Zinc is a trace mineral, which means your body only needs small (trace) amounts to stay healthy. It's also an antioxidant. ...

Biotin for hair loss has been a thing for a while. There are claims that biotin gummies can reverse hair loss - but are they true? Biotin is, in fact, an essential vitamin that does indeed play a role in maintaining thick, strong hair. It's responsible for a lot of other functions in the body as well, but it's required especially for people looking to regrow their hair. How well does it work in cases of hair loss, though? Read on to find out. What Research Says About Biotin for Hair Loss? "> Hair loss can be due to many reasons. (Image via Pexels/Element Digital) There are many positive effects of biotin in the human body. One of its main functions is to facilitate the transformation of the food you eat into energy. It's also required for the synthesis of keratin, the protein that gives hair, skin, and nails their structure. Deficiency is extremely uncommon in healthy people who have a balanced diet, as biotin can be found in many foods. Biotin d...

This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. Dermatology How Seasonal Viral Infections Can Affect Your Skin While we all find ways to emotionally cope with the coldest time of year, local dermatologists recommend prioritizing your physical well-being, too. Viral infections, more common in winter, can cause dry, flaky skin; hair loss; cold sores; and more. "Skin rashes from viruses occur as your immune system detects the virus and triggers the release of different immune cells in the body to fight it off," says Dr. Bethany Cook of Dermatology Consultants. "This can be a very effective way for the body to fight off the virus, but these reactions can also cause skin inflammation in the form of rashes, bumps, or even blistering. In some cases, this can be a delayed effect, as with hives that may occur even after a viral infection has been cleared." COVID-19 ...

Three types of parasites can cause disease in humans. They are protozoa, carried by mosquitos, helminths, such as roundworm, and ectoparasites, for instance lice and bed bugs. Parasites are organisms that live in or on a living host of another species. They survive by taking nutrients from this host. In this article, we detail the different types of parasites and parasitic infections that can affect humans. There are three types of parasites that can cause diseases in humans. Protozoa: Protozoa parasites are single-celled organisms. Protozoa can only multiply, or divide, within the host. Helminths: These are worm parasites. They are typically visible to the naked eye at their adult stage. Unlike protozoa, they cannot multiply in humans. Ectoparasites: These live on rather than in their hosts. They include lice, fleas, and mosquitos. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the following parasitic infections are common in the United States: Learn more about...