Infectious Diseases
Parasitic Infections
Parasites can cause serious illness. Learn how our infectious disease specialists treat and manage parasitic infections.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Sep. 06, 2023.
Treatment and Prevention of Parasitic Diseases
We offer specialized care for parasitic infections, including consultation, testing and treatment. Our team participates in research studies that drive new advances in treatment and prevention.
We also lead outreach and education programs to help prevent parasitic and infectious diseases from spreading.
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Our Difference
Expertise in Common and Rare Parasitic Infections
Our team treats parasitic infections common to the U.S. as well as those found in other countries. Providers at our Travelers Clinic can help you prepare for international travel with tips on preventing infections.
Specialized Training
The Infectious Diseases team includes fellowship-trained specialists who received advanced training in detecting and treating parasitic diseases. Our experts are leaders in their field. They offer the highest level of patient care.
Team-Based Approach
We work closely with other U.C. Davis Health specialists on complex infections that involve cancer or compromised immune systems. We also collaborate with physicians in community hospitals and clinics throughout the region.
What Is a Parasite?
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host organism and feed off their host. Some parasitic infections cause no or few symptoms. Others cause serious or life-threatening illnesses. Many infections are preventable or treatable.
Causes of Parasitic Infections
Food or Water Contamination
The feces of infected animals or people can contaminate food or water with parasites. When you eat or drink contaminated substances, you can develop a parasitic infection such as giardiasis.
Insect Bites
Insects like mosquitoes ingest blood from infected people or animals and transmit the parasite to your body when they bite you. Malaria is a common parasitic infection spread by insect bites.
Sexual Contact
Some parasites pass from one person to another during sexual intercourse. These infections can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like trichomoniasis.
Complications of Parasitic Infections
Although many parasitic diseases are treatable, not everyone experiences symptoms or seeks treatment. This can lead to serious health complications and illness.
Possible complications include:
Birth Anomalies
Untreated parasitic infections in pregnant women can cause birth anomalies. For example, toxoplasmosis can sometimes affect the eyes and central nervous system (brain) in infants.
Blindness
Infection with toxocariasis, a parasite found in dogs and cats, can cause blindness.
Heart Conditions
Chagas disease, which infects your blood, can cause heart rhythm abnormalities and heart failure.
Seizures
Some parasites cause infections in your brain. Untreated infections can lead to convulsions and epileptic seizures.
Conditions
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Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospital in diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, and orthopedics*. (*Together with Shriners Children’s)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, ovarian cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, uterine cancer surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and orthopedics.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
“Most Wired” for acute care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
“Most Wired” for ambulatory care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 11th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality.”
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