26Trypanosoma Equiperdum
There is a classification of parasites known as parasitic aphrodisiacs. They are sexually transmitted and also augment the libido of the host to promote its propagation. One example of such a parasite is Trypanosoma Equiperdum which causes covering sickness in horses, but also increases mating behavior in them.
27. "Jewish Housewives' Disease" is caused by a tapeworm transmitted from fish. The infection is often asymptomatic and usually presents only with mild symptoms, which may include gastrointestinal complaints, weight loss, and fatigue. It got its name because Jewish women making gefilte fish used to taste it before it was fully cooked, exposing them to the parasite.
28. The "Lazy Southerner" stereotype originated from people infected with the parasite hookworm, a disease that is spread through feces in the soil. It is still prevalent in some areas of America that have no plumbing.
29. More than 90% of Greenland sharks are blind, due to a parasite called 'Ommatokoita elongatathat' which lives exclusively in the eyes of the sharks, damaging their corneas.
30. Some animals are forced to commit suicide when a parasite takes over their brain. One example is Acanthocephala, which infects crustaceans, and forces them to swim to the water's surface so they can be eaten by ducks.
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31Naegleria Fowleri
There is a freshwater parasite called Naegleria Fowleri which can enter your brain through your nasal cavity while swimming in freshwater lakes or poorly sanitized pools. It is an amoeba which destroys human brain tissue within days and is fatal in over 97% of the cases.
32. Spinochordodes Tellinii is a parasitic worm which infects grasshoppers. When fully grown, it forces the grasshopper to seek water and drown itself to be able to return to the water. Former U.S President Jimmy Carter has helped to reduce the Guinea Worm Disease cases worldwide from 3.5 million per year to just 126. This disease is now at the brink of extinction.
33. Spinochordodes Tellinii is a parasitic worm which infects grasshoppers. When fully grown, it forces the grasshopper to seek water and drown itself to be able to return to the water.
34. The majority of infections from swimming pools and hot tubs are caused by cryptosporidium, a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites which are released (anally) into the water and then consumed (orally) by fellow swimmers. Hotel pools are the primary place of infection.
35. Over 11% of all Americans are infected with parasitic pinworms. These pinworms crawl out of your anus to lay their eggs, which make your butt itch at night. This makes you scratch the area and helps these sticky eggs spread, often to your food, thereby repeating the cycle.
