Thank you for this article. In one paragraph you said "encircle their prey and seem to produce a toxin that kills the RBCs. This often has strange effects on the psyche of the victim. "Can you tell me what strange effects you are refering to please.
In truth, I have only seen this in one person, a doctor who was curious about her own blood. I had read in veterinary books that parasites have the capacity to control the behavior of their hosts, even to take over the endocrine system. Ed Yong (see TED Talks) seems to have corroborated this in utterly stunning photographs and study of parasites. He is entertaining, informative, witty, and compelling.
Parasites are often quite unique to a specific geographical area. I will give an example. The thumbnail image on the video in this post was taken of a patient with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but I had seen similar parasites from people who had been to Nairobi so I asked her if she had been there. She said, "No, but I lived in Mombasa for twelve years." So, just that small distance was enough for a slight variation. Knowing this, we had some bizarre incidents in a clinic where a parasite that was unique to Sri Lanka appeared in the doctor's blood (different doctor) and then in another patient's blood.
The purpose of mentioning this is to show that infections are easily passed not only from one person to another but sometimes from pets to people and probably vice versa. The doctor with what looked like a highly toxic parasite had poor skin, very blotchy. She was exceedingly scattered and quick to blame others when they were usually not even involved. She was socially awkward and vacillated from withdrawn to antagonistic. She was caving under the pressure of her responsibilities almost to the point of inadequacy.
In medical school, doctors are told that patients who obsess over parasites are suffering from delusional parasitosis. This is a great injustice to patients so I have spent a lot of time trying to correct the record. The argument in veterinary books is that the parasites manipulate the host to desire what benefits them rather than the host. Medical books often say the treatment is more dangerous than the infection. This is because they often use arsenic or mercury or some other highly toxic substance. Herbs are perfectly safe. I have not seen parasites that I would regard as useful to the host. They have first dibs on nutrients and can penetrate almost any tissue.
Being a colon therapist this is my favorite topic. I see the big ones and some small ones.
Thank you for this article. In one paragraph you said "encircle their prey and seem to produce a toxin that kills the RBCs. This often has strange effects on the psyche of the victim. "Can you tell me what strange effects you are refering to please.
Deirdre,
In truth, I have only seen this in one person, a doctor who was curious about her own blood. I had read in veterinary books that parasites have the capacity to control the behavior of their hosts, even to take over the endocrine system. Ed Yong (see TED Talks) seems to have corroborated this in utterly stunning photographs and study of parasites. He is entertaining, informative, witty, and compelling.
Parasites are often quite unique to a specific geographical area. I will give an example. The thumbnail image on the video in this post was taken of a patient with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but I had seen similar parasites from people who had been to Nairobi so I asked her if she had been there. She said, "No, but I lived in Mombasa for twelve years." So, just that small distance was enough for a slight variation. Knowing this, we had some bizarre incidents in a clinic where a parasite that was unique to Sri Lanka appeared in the doctor's blood (different doctor) and then in another patient's blood.
The purpose of mentioning this is to show that infections are easily passed not only from one person to another but sometimes from pets to people and probably vice versa. The doctor with what looked like a highly toxic parasite had poor skin, very blotchy. She was exceedingly scattered and quick to blame others when they were usually not even involved. She was socially awkward and vacillated from withdrawn to antagonistic. She was caving under the pressure of her responsibilities almost to the point of inadequacy.
In medical school, doctors are told that patients who obsess over parasites are suffering from delusional parasitosis. This is a great injustice to patients so I have spent a lot of time trying to correct the record. The argument in veterinary books is that the parasites manipulate the host to desire what benefits them rather than the host. Medical books often say the treatment is more dangerous than the infection. This is because they often use arsenic or mercury or some other highly toxic substance. Herbs are perfectly safe. I have not seen parasites that I would regard as useful to the host. They have first dibs on nutrients and can penetrate almost any tissue.
Thank you very much this was fascinating .
Thank you for a very thorough introduction to parasites and their remedies.
The film is absolutely amazing and the incredible choice of music accompaniment is brilliant! Wow!
You made my day! Thank you so much.