6-2 Discussion: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Disorders
PARASITIC INFECTIONS
Concept and Etiology:Parasitic infections can spread throughout the body in many ways
such as water, food, waste, soil, and blood (Marcin,2018). According to Xu et al (1995),
the relation of the musculoskeletal system to parasites has its own peculiarity. The large
surface area of the overlying skin is an open entrance gate, particularly during swimming
in polluted ponds and swamps. Lactic acid production in the muscles is hostile to parasites
and the production of toxins enables the parasites to disrupt the integrity of tissue barriers.
The different pathway into musculoskeletal system direct skin penetration, oral route,
lymphatic route. Epidermal parasitic skin diseases are a heterogeneous category of
infectious diseases in which parasite host interactions are confined to the upper layer of the
skin (Feldmeier,2009).
How does it deviate from the definition of health?
Parasitic infection is a very harmful disease to the human body. The health of the human
body is functioning in a painful and uncomfortable condition when a parasitic infection in
invading the cells and muscles and even joints. It’s very hard to have a wellness of health
when your body is being attack.
Classification:The parasitic infections have three classes that can cause disease in the
body (CDC,2020). Protozoa are microscopic one celled organism that can be free living or
parasitic in nature. Helminths are large multicellular organisms that are generally visible to
the naked eye in their adult stages. Ectoparasites can broadly include blood sucking
arthropods such as mosquitoes they depend on the blood meal from a human host for their
survival.
Clinical Manifestations:Symptoms of Parasitic infections are stomach cramps and pain,
nausea or vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, digestive problems,
skin issues and muscle and joint pain, fatigue (SydneyGutClinic,2020). Signs of Parasitic
infections are itchiness, rash, diarrhea, unexplained feelings of anxiety, recurrent yeast
infections (Marcin,2018).
Diagnostic Tests:Parasitic infection are determined by blood test, fecal exam, endoscopy,
colonoscopy, Xray’s, MRI, CAT Scan (Marcin,2018).
Marcin, J., (2018).Parasitic Infections. What is a Parasitic Infection?
https://www.healthline.com/health/parasitic-infections
SydneyGutClinic (2020 February 25). The Main Symptoms of Parasitic Infection.
https://www.sydneygutclinic/the-main-symptoms-of-parasitic-infection/#respond
Feldmeier, H., & Heukelbach, J., (2009). Epidermal parasitic skin disease: A neglected
category of poverty-associated plagues. 87(2), 152-
159.https://doi.org10.2471/BLT.07.047308
Abd EI Bagi, M., et al (1999). Imaging of Parasitic diseases of musculoskeletal system and
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https://doi.org10.1007/978-3-540-49354-9_7
