What causes parasitic gastrointestinal infections?
People can be infected with gastrointestinal parasites in a number of ways, and the problem may go undiagnosed for years, says gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan, MD.
Transcript
Most people are exposed through contaminated water. We know that a lot of city water supplies are older.
And they don't have adequate filtration. We also know that a lot of these parasites aren't killed off by chlorine in the water. So contaminated water is a huge way in which most of us
become infected. [MUSIC PLAYING]
So parasitic gastrointestinal infections are actually caused by parasites. And millions of people, not just overseas, but here in the US
have parasites and don't know it. So these organisms can live inside our digestive tract for years and can go undetected.
They can cause a number of conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to gas, bloating, constipation,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss. Most people are exposed through contaminated water.
We know that a lot of city water supplies are older. And they don't have adequate filtration. And we also know that a lot of these parasites
aren't killed off by chlorine in the water. So contaminated water is a huge way in which most of us become infected.
Another way is contaminated fruits and vegetables. So if contaminated feces containing parasites
has come into contact with your food and you eat it, it's a very common way for you yourself to become infected. [MUSIC PLAYING]
infections
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