Many of us love camping and hiking in the great outdoors, especially areas with lakes and streams. However, traveling can suppress the immune system and expose you to harmful pathogens like parasites. Parasites deprive your body of necessary nutrition and cause chronic illnesses that range from mild to life-threatening.
Many people may have a parasitic infection and not be aware of it. Some blood or stool tests can detect certain types of parasites, but they can be inaccurate. In general, parasites live everywhere we eat, sleep, and play. They are on or in:
- Animals whether cattle, wild, or a pets
- Bodies of water like lakes, streams, puddles, and rivers
- Soil whether in the mountains or a lawn in the city
The parasites you need to be concerned the most about are aquatic parasites. They can find their way into a host through a variety of ways, but the most common ways are through contaminated food or water. The top three waterborne parasites that can cause serious damage to the intestinal tract are:
- Cyclospora cayetanensis: Can result in explosive bowel movements and diarrhea
- Giardia lamblia: Causes diarrhea, greasy stools that float, and upset stomach
- Cryptosporidium parvum: Causes watery diarrhea and other digestive upset
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have been in or consumed contaminated water, you may have one or more of these parasites. Still, many people harbor some form of parasite that doesn’t result in symptoms.
A parasite cleansing is generally beneficial for most everyone. You can begin a detox protocol easily.
Cyclospora
When produce is mishandled, it could result in a cyclospora outbreak. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite. You may become infected with this parasite by consuming food or water contaminated with infected fecal matter. Cyclospora causes watery or explosive diarrhea. Not everyone with an infection will develop symptoms. Others will develop symptoms within 2 to 11 days after consuming contaminated food or water. If you are immunocompromised, you are at greater risk of severe symptoms. Treatment is essential.
If you are traveling in countries in which cyclosporiasis is endemic, you need to take precautions. Regular methods of sanitation and disinfection may not be effective. Cyclosporiasis is more common in tropical and subtropical regions.
In the United States, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce like:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Raspberries
- Snow peas
- Young salad greens
In general, canned and frozen foods tend to be free of cyclospora.
Giardia
Do not drink water from mountain lakes and streams. Many of these water sources contain giardia. Giardia is a microscopic parasite that, like Cryptosporidium, gives people the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. It’s the most common waterborne parasitic infection of the human intestine worldwide. The risk is greatest in rural and wilderness areas.
There can be long-term consequences of a Giardia infection. Even after someone is cleared of giardiasis, it can trigger growth and cognitive deficiencies, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and IBS. An infection may also be called:
- Giardia duodenalis
- Giardia intestinalis
- Giardia lamblia
This parasite is found on surfaces in homes or in the soil. It lives on food, or in water that has been contaminated with feces from infected animals or humans. Like Cryptosporidium, Giardia is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside a host body for long periods of time. This outer shell also makes the parasite resistant to chlorine disinfection. So, while chlorine is used in public pools to keep the water clean, it can still survive in these areas.
Although parasites can be spread in different ways, water is the most common mode of transmission. Children are at much higher risk for Giardia infection than adults and have higher infection rates. Studies have shown that this parasite also alters the gut microbiome, suggesting a possible explanation for why Giardia has been reported to be associated with protection from moderate to severe diarrhea. This also may contribute to a number of acute, chronic, and post-infections of giardiasis.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes a diarrheal disease, known as cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as “crypto.” Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States. This parasite, which can infect both animals and humans, is protected by an outer shell that enables it to survive outside the body for long periods. It is very resistant to disinfection by chlorine.
When cryptosporidium enters the body, they travel to the small intestine and burrow into the intestinal walls. While cryptosporidium spreads in several different ways, drinking water and recreational water are the most common. Not everyone with this parasitic infection will develop symptoms, but they can still pass the infection on to others. It takes approximately 3 to 12 days after initial infection with cryptosporidium before the host develops symptoms.
If you have a cryptosporidium infection and in general good health, then you can expect one to two weeks or diarrhea that eventually resolves on its own. However, if your immune system is compromised, or if you have an autoimmune deficiency, cryptosporidiosis means a potentially life-threatening situation if left untreated.
As with many types of infections, people with compromised immune systems, specifically by HIV/AIDS, are at critical risk from this type of parasitic infection. You should take precaution around water in public places including:
- Natural water sources like lakes
- Swimming pools
- Water parks
Taking precautions around these bodies of water will significantly reduce your risk of a cryptosporidium infection. People have to be aware around public pools and water parks because cryptosporidium is resistant to common chlorine-based disinfectants. In addition, this parasite can thrive for months without a host. It will survive in average temperatures, although it cannot withstand boiling or freezing.
Some research shows that a cryptosporidium infection may exacerbate the effects of other bowel related diseases like:
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Ulcerative colitis
This research is continuing, but they do point to the ability of crypto to weaken your immune system if you already have immunodeficiency.
Final thoughts
U.S. cases of infection do occur when people travel to endemic areas. To reduce your risk of infection while traveling abroad, take precautions such as:
Choosing foods that are less likely to cause infection and have been adequately cleaned before consumption and other similar precautions
Consuming only treated/purified water
Taking herbs that get the bowels moving so the parasites can be flushed out
Taking parasite-killing herbs to create a hostile environment for them in the body
Using essential oils that help kill parasites
Talk to your functional medicine doctor for recommendations that suit your specific needs. It’s important to maintain a healthy microbiome in new environments as well as increase energy and oxygen levels while traveling. You may want to consider a detox protocol once you have returned to eliminate parasites to promote healing. Parasites aren’t eliminated easily, but with the right combo of natural ingredients, it’s possible. In the end, it’s all about a long-term solution for sustainable wellness.