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Parasitic Diseases

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Women

Infection with a number of parasites can lead to special consequences for women. Some examples are given below.

  • Infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite found in undercooked meat, cat feces, soil, and untreated water can lead to severe brain and eye disorders in a fetus when a pregnant woman becomes newly infected.
  • Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite that can be passed between partners, can lead to vaginal infection and increase a woman’s susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus infection.
  • Pregnant women in malaria-endemic countries are at increased risk for adverse effects of malaria infection (for example, miscarriage, low birth weight).
  • Women with young children and children in day care are more likely to be exposed to parasites that cause diarrhea such as Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp., ectoparasites such as lice (Pediculus spp.), and pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) that cause anal itching.
  • Chagas disease, a vector-borne parasitic illness prevalent in parts of Central and South America resulting from infection with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to the developing fetus and may lead to heart and brain infection, and in addition, chronic disorders later in the child’s life.
  • Anemia in a pregnant women resulting from hookworm infection (Necator americanus, Ancyclostoma duodenale) can lead to low infant birth weight, impaired milk production, and a higher risk of mortality for both the mother and infant.
  • Anemia can also be caused by malaria, and in pregnant women in malaria-endemic countries, anemia can result in low infant birth weight and a higher risk of mortality for mother and infant.
  • Pregnant women often need special consideration when being treated for parasitic diseases in order to avoid harm to the fetus, especially during the first trimester.

Related Parasitic Diseases

For more information on a some of the parasitic diseases that are of particular relevance for women, please select from the list below.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



A

American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)

Ancylostomiasis (Hookworm, Cutaneous Larva Migrans [CLM])

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C

Chagas Disease (American Trypanosoomiasis)

Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium Infection)

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E

Enterobiasis (Pinworm Infection)

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F

Foodborne Diseases

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G

Giardiasis (Giardia Infection)

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H

Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis)

Hookworm Infection (Ancylostomiasis, Cutaneous Larva Migrans [CLM])

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L

Lice Infestation (Body lice, Head lice, Pubic lice)

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M

Malaria

Mite Infestation (Scabies)

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P

Pediculosis (Head Lice Infestation)

Pinworm Infection (Enterobiasis)

Pubic Lice Infestation ("Crabs")

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R

Recreational Water

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S

Scabies

Swimmer's Itch (Cercarial Dermatitis)

Swimming Pools

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T

Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma Infection)

Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas Infection)

Trypanosomiasis, American (Chagas Disease)

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W

Waterborne Diseases

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Z

Zoonotic Diseases (Diseases spread from animals to people)

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Page last modified: May 16, 2008
Page last reviewed: August 1, 2007
Content Source:
Division of Parasitic Diseases (DPD)
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
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