1. Human Parasite Identification Chart
2. Human Parasite Identification Quiz
3. Human Parasite Identification Chart

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Did you know that only one in ten of the cells in your body is actually human? That's right. A whopping 90 percent of your cells are bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature. The NIH's is ambitiously aiming to characterize the microbial communities living in us. And while the vast majority of these germs are symbionts, once in a while, we pick up a straggling critter that's not just along for the ride--it's there to leach our nutrients at all costs.

These parasites fall in five distinct categories, the first of which is the most numerically abundant animal on Earth:. Check out the video above and/or click on the link below to learn more about human parasites, and leave your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Human Parasite Identification Chart

Don't be shy, talk nerdy to me! Cara Santa Maria here. Our bodies are made up of around, and only about. No, I'm not saying you're part alien--not exactly. But you are part, and these germs are mostly there to help us. It's called the, and scientists are currently trying to in an effort to learn more about its. Although we mostly, a lot of microorganisms take up residence in our tissues, like viruses, yeast, and even parasites.

Human Parasite Identification Quiz

But aren't too interested in symbiotic living. They truly are monsters that live inside us, and they can make us sick -- very sick. Let's count down five types of parasites that make our skin--and our guts--crawl. A common culprit: the nematode. It's a fancy name for roundworm.

Actually, living on earth are nematodes. They infect everything from to to well, us. This is the in the U.S. Over 30 percent of school aged kids will get, and some estimates are as high as 80 percent.

Human Parasite Identification Chart

Their eggs are spread by unwashed hands, they can hatch in kids' intestines and then mature female worms meander down to the, um.anal region to lay more eggs, leading to what doctors call an itchy bum (I think that's the technical term). Other worms that can make us sick are. Tapeworms latch on to the walls of our intestines and feed off our nutrients. Adult can grow up to 50 feet--you heard me--50 feet long and live in a host for upwards of 20 years.

There are other kinds of flatworms too. This one invades the. This one can.

Other common skin parasites like lice, fleas, chiggers, bed bugs, etc., tend to just bite, not burrow. I wouldn't worry too much about the bug and insect identification at this point. You did well to bathe right away.

And this one can even. And that's not the worst of it.

Remember looking at amoebas in high school under the microscope? Well you do not want to get. It's the second leading cause of death from parasites worldwide. But don't worry, those single-celled, shape-shifting creatures that your biology teacher gave you in a jar aren't the same species that cause this infection. Amoebas are, however, a type of protozoan.

And this group of parasites is particularly gnarly. This one is the most common infectious parasites in America, causing, or Trich. It's actually an STD, and over have the infection. It's diagnosed with a pap test and, but as usual, our risk goes way down if we use condoms. The most common parasitic infection worldwide comes from this protozoan, spread by the. It causes malaria, by first and then the blood. Malaria kills 1.2 million people a year, making it one of the world's deadliest diseases.

Other not-so-common include this guy, which causes diarrhea and has developed resistance to chlorine. And, which we can get from Mr. It can actually in infected animals and may even lead to an in humans. And let's not forget about and, two devastating diseases caused by protozoan infection. And on to number two on the list: the ectoparasites! These little creepy crawlies live on us, not in us.