Parasite Information for Veterans

If you traveled to a foreign country and did not get checked for a parasite infection, you may want to consider doing so.

For Vietnam vets, filarial worms and liver flukes may be present. Vietnam vets are now dying because of the problem with liver flukes, which can go undetected for years.

For veterans who have fought in Iraq and the Middle east, sand fly fever, amoebic dysentery, giardiasis and leishmaniasis may linger in the body. There have also been protozoan parasites Entamoeba and Guardia detected in certain veterans who have visited countries in that part of the world. Protozoan parasites are basically a ‘protozoan’ that has adapted to invade and live in cells and tissues of other organisms.

You may want to be treated by a medical professional versed in parasite treatments if you experience any of these symptoms:

Diarrhea.
Nausea.
stomach cramps.
gas.
greasy stool (because fat absorption is being blocked).
and possible dehydration.