Parasites
Latest about parasites
Invasive Semislug That Likes to Climb May Be Infecting Hawaiians with Brain Parasite
By Cari Nierenberg published
People may be picking up rat lungworm disease by eating a fast-climbing creature that's part slug, part snail.
'Crypto' Outbreaks Linked to Swimming Pools Are on the Rise, CDC Says
By Rachael Rettner published
Not to spoil your summer pool fun, but outbreaks of "crypto," a swimming-related diarrheal illness, are on the rise.
This Fungal Hallucinogen Makes Cicadas Orgy Till Their Butts Literally Fall Off
By Isobel Whitcomb published
Their bodies may disintegrate, but these bugs don’t care.
Woman Had a Huge Tapeworm 'Egg' Encased in Her Brain. Why She's Super Happy About It.
By Rachael Rettner published
When is it a huge relief to hear you have a parasite lurking in your brain? When it's not a cancerous brain tumor.
Three Cases of Brain-Infecting Parasite Recently Confirmed in Hawaii
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
Last December, a tourist in Hawaii ate a slug on a dare — not realizing, of course, a wiggly brain-loving parasite was along for the ride.
'Face Mites' Live in Your Pores, Eat Your Grease and Mate on Your Face While You Sleep
By Brandon Specktor published
Meet the ubiquitous "face mites" that live in your pores, eat your grease and have sex on your face while you sleep.
How Sand Fleas Cause 'Extreme' Infections
By Rachael Rettner published
A new report describes five cases of "extreme" sand flea infections in Colombia, showing that life-threatening illnesses with this parasite still occur.
So Many Ticks Were Feasting on This Unlucky Python, They Looked Like Living Scales
By Mindy Weisberger published
Some 511 bloodsucking ticks were removed from this snake.
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