While parasites like tapeworms get a lot of attention, there is actually a broad range of these organisms that can cause a variety of illnesses. “They’re all going to cause different symptoms,” says Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. The word “parasite” is actually an umbrella term for many different organisms, but there are three main classes parasites that causes disease in humans can fall into: Once a parasite gets into your body, it can manifest in a number of different ways. Some, like cryptosporidium5, can settle into your small intestine and cause watery diarrhea6, while others, like malaria, enter your bloodstream7, causing fever, chills, body aches, and an enlarged liver. From there, your doctor will likely recommend that you eat foods that are high in fiber, which Romero says can help clear parasitic worms out of your body. It may also be helpful to eat dried papaya seeds and honey. An older, small study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that children in Nigeria with intestinal parasites who ate an elixir of dried papaya seeds and honey had their stools cleared of parasites when they were tested seven days later. Probiotics can also be used to help boost your digestive tract, Romero says. Ultimately, every parasitic infection is slightly different, and each can cause a variety of symptoms. Whether you’re traveling or close to home, experts recommend being wary of uncooked or undercooked meats and washing your hands well14 with soap and water before handling food to lower your risk of contracting an infection. And, of course, if you suspect you may have a parasitic infection, call your doctor.
