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parasitic%20infections
PARASITIC INFECTIONS
Treatment Guideline Chart
Gastrointestinal parasitic infection symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, flatulence, malabsorption and symptoms of biliary obstruction.
It can be caused by protozoan parasites and helminths.
Host susceptibility factors in gastrointestinal parasitic infections are nutritional status, intercurrent disease, pregnancy, immunosuppressive drugs and presence of a malignancy.
Knowledge of the geographic distribution of parasites is helpful in the diagnosis of patients.

Parasitic%20infections Signs and Symptoms

Introduction

  • Parasites presents a continual & unacceptable threat to the well-being of millions of people in the tropics, subtropics, as well w/ domesticated animals
  • As more parasites are identified & implicated as a cause of disease, its life cycle elucidated, its control or eradication would follow w/ the development of drugs, vaccines & antivector measures

Signs and Symptoms

Gastrointestinal (GI)

  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, flatulence, malabsorption, symptoms of biliary obstruction

Nonspecific

  • Fever, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, sweating, weight loss, edema & pruritus
  • Some patients may be asymptomatic

Risk Factors

Host Susceptibility Factors in Gastrointestinal (GI) Parasitic Infections

  • Nutritional status
  • Intercurrent disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Immunosuppressive drugs
  • Presence of a malignancy
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