Is it possible to get a parasite in an industrialized country?


Question:
i have had fairly bad diarrhea for 8 days now. every time i eat or drink, i have to make a trip to the bathroom. i also have bloating, gas, and pains in my stomach. the diarrhea has kept me from going out and doing any normal activity. i am from the US but i am on vacation in Canada right now. now, my question is, is there a possibility that this is a parasite? everyone tells me that i can only get a parasite in 3rd world countries. i went to the doctor a few days ago, but i am not feeling any better. will this continue until i can go home (in 3 weeks) and can see my own doctor and maybe get my stool tested?

Answers:
Severe diarrhea can come from many causes, including bacterial, viral, parasitic, or other non-infective causes. Now if you really have had severe diarrhea for 8 days, and absolutely can not eat or drink anything, it is time to consider the ER.

Prolonged diarrhea affecting your intake, can and will lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalnces. Please be aware of this before it's too late, because this is a serious issue.

Back to your question, it is possible to get a parasitic infection no matter where you are, however, the chances are infenintly greater in a 3rd world country where disease is rampant.

A typical cause of parasitic infection is food that has been contaminated with gut contents (improperly slaughtered cattle is a huge contributor) or any food that has grown in infected manure and improperly handled. Also, under cooking your meats increases your risk, so be sure that youur beef is at lease 160 degrees F for safety!!
yes
You can get a parasite in any country
Anything is possible. It could also just be a virus. Antibiotics would not help the virus would have to run its course. Sometimes antivirals help.
sometimes when you are in a different country, when you drink their water, it may come from a different source. Your body may notice the difference and get sick. Maybe you are carsick or just sick. I don't think it is a parasite.
Sounds like Gardia which a virus you can get from well water or stream water. Get yourself on an antibotic.
i'm not sure thats weird
you may have something called traveler's diareha which occurs (obviously) when you travel and stay somewhere that is not your every day home. it doesn't matter what country it is it could even occur in a trip to another state in the US. it ussually is a product of stress and you can use something like immodium AD to firm up your stool until you get home. if you find its a problem on future vacations or if it doesn't stop when you get home see a Gastroenterologist. in my experience regular doctors aren't real good at figuring out problems like this.
To tell you the truth, you can get a parasite right in your own kitchen. Who ever said only in a third world country hasn't got a clue.
Take some pepto bismal or kaopectate and give it time. It'll pass. Pun intended. If the cramps are overwhelming, go see a Dr.
parasites, germs virus are everywhere in the world, but you might have food poisoning , make sure any ways that you are drinking lot o fluids, so you don't get dehydrated , ginger tea is soothing for the stomach, digestion
Maybe you ate some bad food. You could have food poisoning. If you had a parasite it would take a while to make you ill.
most people do have parasites you can pick them up from cats and dogs in your home, dirt out side undercooked foods, and doctors can take a stool sample but it isn't 100% the best way to know is to do a blood analysis with a natural doctor also most people do have parasites so i would suggest doing a parasite cleanse anyways! good luck and good there are products and good information at this site: health!http://www.mynsp.com/kandismm/index.aspx...
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