Parasitic Diseases

Parasitic diseases are acquired through multiple modes including contact with fecally contaminated soil, insect vectors, ingestion of contaminated food, and sexual intercourse. Historically referred to as “the disease of laziness,” hookworm was the scourge of the South well into the twentieth century, now nearly eradicated by the installation of sanitary sewage disposal systems. Other parasites continue to infect Americans on a frequent basis. Often referred to as “neglected parasitic diseases,” the CDC has targeted five parasitic infections prevalent in the United States as priorities for public health action, based on the pervasiveness of the infection, severity of the resultant illness, and the ability to treat and prevent the infections. These are Chagas disease, neurocysticercosis, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis and trichomoniasis. The parasitic diseases discussed in this chapter are: Hookworm; Chagas Disease; Neurocysticercosis; Toxocariasis; Toxoplasmosis; and Trichomoniasis.