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| Parasites | | March
16, 2003. | The word parasite is widely used
to refer to those people who use their fellow men to satisfy their needs without
doing anything at all that would involve a physical or mental effort. Generally,
the concept is used to define low-quality opticians or those with bad reputations,
employees who are just waiting for any opportunity to steal ideas from their colleagues,
or even those children who run back to daddy for him to solve all their problems. Nevertheless,
as curious as it may sound, the life of human parasites is much more pleasant
than that of true parasites which we find defying life in order to survive. One
might think that the life of a parasite is easy and difficult for the host, especially
if we're dealing with ourselves. But although the parasite is sure that it will
have its food at the moment it deems most appropriate, it has the disadvantage
of having lost a great part of its sense organs and nerves. One
example that illustrates the foregoing perfectly is where the reader may imagine
living as a parasite and enjoying the rich foods offered by a human intestine.
Unfortunately, this ideal scenario is darkened when it can be thrown out of its
home with the next discharge of waste from the digestive system it inhabits, and
you have very little "brains" (remember that it gave up its nervous
and sensorial systems in order to live at others' expense) to go looking for another
place to live and bring up a large family. On the other
hand, most parasites do not live in a single host. They have the inconvenience
of changing hosts at least a couple of times during its life cycle. Also, parasite
babies (eggs and embryos) are expulsed from the host to go looking for their own
homes, and they never receive attention or care from their parents, nor do they
receive any sort of guidance or advice to help them face the vicissitudes of the
natural world. Young parasites lead an erring life, searching
for new homes where they may spend their relatively short lives. Although there
are many species of parasites on earth, there are only a few that affect human
beings and their animal companions in a harmful manner. They
say that parasites living in or on the human body are ugly, unintelligent, but
excessively interested in sex and consequently, in reproduction. For the parasite
to be able to survive on the human body, it must be careful not to be detected
by the host because if it is, it may fall victim to a merciless barrage of natural
and chemical substances intended to cause its death and vacate the premises it
occupies in or on the body. But the parasite has a wide
range of secret weapons to remain clinging to its host. Some have developed crowns
of hooks that they dig into the walls of the internal organs, while others have
suckers to create vacuums and attach themselves firmly. Nevertheless, some species
of parasites have entrusted their permanence or continuance to the development
of locomotive abilities within the fluids, the organs or the cavities of the body. The
human body is an internal world that provides an infinite number of habitats to
parasites. They can live nearly anywhere, including in the brain, the muscles
or the eye's cornea. On the other hand, in most cases, the evolution of parasites
has tried to be friendly to their hosts. Whereas a small number of parasites cause
severe damage to and even the death of their host, the rest looks for ways to
pass unnoticed and act in a manner that will ensure that the hosts will remain
in an acceptable state of good health, i.e.: they're looking for a harmonious
relationship. It is common for us to tend to ignore the
great impact that parasites have on the evolution of life on earth. And we are
stunned when we find out that we have been invaded by some parasite or other,
believing that this is a rare or uncommon occurrence, to the extent that we even
say it something "abnormal". Surprisingly enough, of all the species
of living beings that have inhabited and are inhabiting the earth, most are parasites,
so in fact, being a non-parasitic organism is really an "abnormal" occurrence. The
reason why the parasitic lifestyle is so common today is due to the fact that
it has proven its efficiency throughout millions of years of evolution and as
such, if something works and is successful in the natural world, there is no cause
for change. Most of the creatures that have turned into
parasites inside the body are the protozoa, the worms, the flukes and the nematodes.
Some of them are so small that the microscope had to be invented in order for
us to discover them. On the other hand, some are so large that they would be worthy
of starring in horror movies. For example, the nematode parasites of whales (and
those found in some humans) can measure as much as 30 feet in length. We
all have parasites which, in one way or another, maintain the balance in our bodies.
But there is always the possibility that we may accommodate some harmful species.
In order to avoid that, I have some recommendations: avoid contact with feces
of any kind, especially human (by washing food and avoiding eating in places where
food are exposed to dust or are handled in a non-hygienic manner); drink only
purified water; cook all food before eating it or refrigerate them adequately
if they are to be stored; avoid insect bites (especially those that feed on blood);
and have good luck, as it is necessary in order to avoid being infested by parasites.
And if you think you've been infected, the best thing to do is see your family
doctor. cupul@pvmirror.com Archives
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