10 Parasites That Could Be Making Your Body Their Home

Parasites are organisms that benefit at the expense of another organism. Rather than kill their hosts, parasites oftentimes rely on them for resources and protection and as a result, the host is hampered by increased energetic costs to unknowingly maintain this intruder. Overall, it results in a reduction in host fitness. Most parasites are specialized to target specific organisms, but hosts can be anything, including humans.

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At this very moment, you may be harboring something you aren't aware of. Some of the more extreme examples eventually result in enlarged body parts, sleeping sickness, blindness, and intestinal blockage, among other side effects. Below is a list of 10 parasites that may be making your body their home.