Are You at Risk? Causes, Symptoms & Vulnerability to Parasite Infections

By Heather Reinhardt RN, Epigenetics Specialist & Wellness Advocate

📑 Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Surprising Ways Parasites Enter the Body
• Why Some People Are More Vulnerable Than Others
• Top Symptoms of Parasite Infections (That Most People Miss)
• Why Testing Often Falls Short
• Heather’s Pro Tip
• FAQS
• Get your Cleanse Now!
• What’s Next?
• References
• Go to Article 4: Eat to Beat Parasites

We’ve met the invaders. Now it’s time to ask the big question: Could you be carrying parasites right now — and not even know it? The answer is more common than you think. Many people believe parasite infections only happen when you travel to a developing country, drink dirty water, or eat sketchy street food. And while those are risks, they’re not the only ways parasites get in. In fact, you can pick up parasites in your own backyard, your favorite restaurant, or even from your beloved pet (Hudson, 2024; CDC, 2020). Let’s explore where parasites come from, who’s most at risk, and why common symptoms of internal parasites are so often misdiagnosed or missed altogether.

Missed Part 2? Start here: Parasites in Humans: Hidden Symptoms and Why They’re More Common Than You Think

🦠 Surprising Ways Parasites Enter the Body

Parasites are masters of stealth. They don't need a passport to get into your system. Some of the most common sources include:

• Pets
  Dogs and cats can transmit parasites through licking, snuggling, and even shedding fur and dander (CDC, 2020).
• Soil
  Walking barefoot, gardening without gloves, or touching your shoes after walking on contaminated ground.
• Water
  Lakes, pools, hot tubs, showers, or drinking water — especially if unfiltered or from a well.
• Food
  Undercooked meat or fish (especially pork, sushi, and freshwater fish)
• Food
  Unwashed produce
• Food
  Raw salads at restaurants or salad bars
• Insects
  Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice can carry and transmit parasitic infections (WHO, 2023).
• Sexual contact
  Certain protozoa, like Trichomonas vaginalis, are sexually transmitted (Loke et al., 2022).
• Blood transfusions or organ transplants
  Not all parasites are screened in donor blood.
• Everyday exposures
  Dirty hands, contaminated surfaces, and even breathing in microscopic eggs (Hudson, 2024).

The truth is — parasites are everywhere. Exposure is nearly inevitable. But infection depends on the state of your terrain — your body, your immunity, your resilience.

🧬 Why Some People Are More Vulnerable Than Others

Not everyone exposed to a parasite gets sick. Whether or not the parasite sets up shop depends on two key factors:

1. Immune System Strength
   If your immune system is healthy and alert, your body will likely flush the parasite out before it takes hold. But if your immunity is weakened — from stress, chronic illness, poor diet, mold exposure, overuse of antibiotics, or trauma — you become a much more welcoming host (Loke et al., 2022; Hotez et al., 2008).
2. Nutritional Status
   Parasites love weak terrain. Low levels of zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, B vitamins, and vitamin A make the body a breeding ground for infection. Unfortunately, parasites also deplete these nutrients, creating a vicious cycle (Hudson, 2024).

“Your terrain determines your resilience. The stronger your immune system and the more nourished your cells, the less likely you are to be hijacked by parasites.” — Heather

🚩 Top Symptoms of Parasite Infections (That Most People Miss)

Parasites are incredibly good at mimicking other issues. Their symptoms often overlap with gut imbalances, hormone shifts, adrenal fatigue, and mood disorders.
Here’s what to watch for — especially if you've tried other protocols with limited success:

• Bloating, especially after meals
• Gas, constipation, or diarrhea
• IBS or leaky gut symptoms
• Food sensitivities
• Insatiable hunger or appetite swings

• Anxiety, panic attacks, or depression
• Brain fog or poor memory
• Insomnia or restless sleep
• Mood swings, irritability
• Teeth grinding at night

• Eczema, rashes, or itchy skin
• Psoriasis or unexplained breakouts
• New-onset allergies or histamine reactions

• Chronic fatigue or adrenal burnout
• Anemia (especially iron or B12)
• Frequent illness or poor recovery
• Swollen lymph nodes

• Itchy ears, nose, or anus
• Puffy eyes or dark under-eye circles
• Bad breath despite good oral hygiene
• Strong sugar or carb cravings
• Body odor or odd-smelling stools

🧪 Why Testing Often Falls Short

Most stool tests only screen for a few common parasites — and even those are easy to miss. Parasites begin breaking down quickly after leaving the body, and most techs don’t view samples fast enough to identify them (Hudson, 2024; Loke et al., 2022).That’s why I often use epigenetic hair testing in my practice — to uncover hidden infections, immune challenges, and toxic burdens that standard labs may overlook.

✨ Heather’s Pro Tip

“If your symptoms feel like they’re all over the place — gut, mood, sleep, hormones — and nothing else has worked, don’t ignore the parasite piece. When you finally evict the invaders, everything else becomes easier to balance.”

❓ FAQS

• Can you have parasites and not know it?
  ‍Yes. Many people carry parasites silently. Their symptoms mimic everyday issues — like bloating, fatigue, anxiety, or skin flare-ups — so they often go misdiagnosed or ignored.
•  What are the symptoms of a parasite infection in adults?
  ‍Think gut issues (gas, bloating, diarrhea), brain fog, anxiety, skin rashes, insomnia, teeth grinding, and sugar cravings. If your symptoms seem “all over the place,” parasites might be the hidden thread.
• How do you get parasites if you haven’t traveled?
  ‍You don’t have to travel to be exposed. Pets, soil, undercooked food, tap water, or even restaurant salads can harbor parasite eggs. Everyday exposure is more common than people think.
• Why don’t stool tests find them?
  Most stool tests miss parasites because the organisms start breaking down fast — often before the sample is even viewed. That's why I recommend epigenetic hair testing for a deeper look.
• Who’s most at risk?
  ‍If your immune system is run-down from stress, mold, antibiotics, or poor nutrition — you’re more vulnerable. Parasites love weak terrain.

Order your Parasite Cleanse Now!

Click here to learn more about the Full moon Parasite Cleanse and get your supplements today!

👉 Sneak Peek: Coming Next Week

Next in the series, we’ll shift from awareness to action — and explore how your daily diet may be either feeding the parasites or fighting them.

• 🥑 Can Your Diet Kick Parasites Out Naturally?
  ‍Discover the powerful everyday foods that help your body starve out invaders — and why a few simple shifts could supercharge your gut health.
• 🍞 Is Your Favorite Snack Secretly Feeding Parasites?
  ‍Some “healthy” foods can actually fuel infections — and create a breeding ground for parasites, yeast, and bad bacteria. You might be shocked what's on the list.
• 🥬 Top 10 Parasite-Fighting Foods (You Should Eat Every Week)
  ‍Boost your immune system, repair your gut lining, and fortify your defenses naturally — no complicated protocols required.
• 🚫 The Hidden Parasite Traps Lurking in Salads, Sushi, and Smoothies
  ‍Think raw = healthy? Not always. Learn how parasites exploit modern health foods — and simple kitchen swaps that protect you.

📘 Ready to go deeper? Click here to read Part 4:“Eat to Beat Parasites: Foods That Help & Foods That Harm.”

🔬 References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Parasites – General information. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/index.html
• Hotez, P. J., Bottazzi, M. E., Franco-Paredes, C., Ault, S. K., & Periago, M. R. (2008). The neglected tropical diseases of Latin America and the Caribbean: A review of disease burden and distribution and a roadmap for control and elimination. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2(9), e300. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000300
• Hudson, L. (2024). Parasites. Nutritional Perspectives: Journal of the Council on Nutrition, 47(3), 5–8.
• Loke, P., Lee, S. C., & Oyesola, O. O. (2022). Effects of helminths on the human immune response and the microbiome. Mucosal Immunology, 15(6), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41385-022-00532-9
• World Health Organization. (2023). Soil-transmitted helminth infections. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections

📑 Table of Contents