Parasites

If you swim or bathe in tropical countries, or walk barefoot, you may risk becoming infested with parasitic worms such as schistosome and hookworm. Schistosome, or blood flukes, can be found free-swimming in fresh water and can enter your body through the skin.

Hookworms  are parasitic roundworms that live in tropical and subtropical countries, particularly in areas of poor sanitation. Larvae of the parasite inhabit the soil and you risk infestation if your skin comes into contact with infested soil or if you eat or drink contaminated food or water. The roundworms enter the bloodstream and travel to the small intestine, where they attach or “hook” themselves to the lining and suck the blood. In severe cases the infection can result in anemia