While parasitic infections are more common in other parts of the world, data suggests that millions of Americans are still infected by parasites each year.
Summer is an especially vulnerable time for getting a parasitic infection, according to doctors who specialize in treating infectious diseases.
“As temperatures get warmer, parasites are able to complete their developmental life cycle and infect humans,” says professor Thomas Russo, MD, chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. “But humans are also much more likely to be outdoors and interact with certain parasites in the summer.”
Swimming can raise the risk of contracting certain parasites, too, says Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore.
Fortunately, common sense precautions can help you stay safe during summer activities where you’re likely to encounter parasites.
Swimming in Pools, Lake, and Rivers Can Raise Parasite Risk
The most common type of parasite you can pick up while swimming is giardia, says Dr. Adalja.
But there are other parasitic infections you can pick up in the water, including cryptosporidium, which causes watery diarrhea, and Naegleria fowleri, sometimes called brain-eating amoebas.
“Naeglaria infections are exceedingly rare, but can occur with lake and pond water exposure,” Adalja says. Cryptosporidium infections usually happen after accidentally swallowing water while swimming, while Naegleria fowleri infections typically happen after getting infected water up your nose, Dr. Russo explains.
In some parts of the country, it’s possible to contract avian schistosomiasis, aka swimmer’s itch. This is an infection caused by blood flukes (parasitic flatworms) that can accidentally penetrate the skin, leading to an allergic reaction, according to the CDC.
“This is more common in Michigan, around the Great Lakes,” Russo says.
How to Swim Safely
To lower your risk of contracting a parasite while swimming, “Try to avoid getting water up your nose and in your mouth,” Russo says. It can also be helpful to rinse off after swimming, ideally with soap and water, he says.
Hiking Can Raise the Risk of Parasitic Babesiosis
While ticks are well-known for spreading Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection, they can also cause a parasitic infection called babesiosis, Adalja says.
When someone has babesiosis, parasites attack red blood cells. While many people have no signs of the infection, some will develop flu-like symptoms, along with anemia, according to the CDC.
How to Hike Safely
The best way to lower your risk of babesiosis and other tickborne infections is to try to prevent tick bites, Russo says. He recommends:
- Apply repellents with DEET to your skin and clothes.
- Stay on clear trails and avoid tall grasses and brush.
- Wearing long socks, pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
“Don’t forget to do tick checks afterward, too,” Russo says.
If you spot a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible and dispose of the tick, per the CDC.
Undercooked Meat at Barbecues and Picnics Can Harbor Parasites
Eating undercooked meat can cause toxoplasmosis if it contains the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. “Toxoplasmosis is very common with about 10 percent of the U.S. population infected through ingestion of undercooked meat and contaminated fruit and vegetables,” Adalja says.
While toxoplasmosis isn’t specific to picnics or summer, the parasite thrives in warm conditions, per the CDC.
Most people infected with toxoplasmosis have no symptoms, but others can develop flu-like symptoms.
If you’re picnicking in an area where dogs and cats may have relieved themselves, Russo recommends being mindful of the risk of toxocariasis. This is a parasitic infection that’s contracted when people accidentally ingest the microscopic roundworm eggs that are found in contaminated soil, according to the CDC. Infected people may have vision issues, or fever, cough, and stomach pain, depending on where they were infected.
How to Picnic and Eat Barbeque Safely
Russo recommends making sure that your meat is thoroughly cooked before eating it. It’s also important to wash all produce well, he says. “Don’t forget to wash your hands,” Russo adds.
The Takeaway
- Parasites in water, on land, and in food can make you sick during the summer.
- Avoid swallowing water or getting it up your nose while swimming to lower your risk of giardia and other waterborne parasites.
- Stay on marked paths, use insect repellant, and wear long sleeves and pants to reduce your risk of tickborne babesiosis while hiking.
- To prevent parasitic infections at picnics and barbeques, only eat fully cooking meat, wash produce, and keep your hands clean.
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