O parazitech a lidech – Votýpka Jan (2023)

This book, coming in a new, expanded edition, is about parasites... and people, of course. ***** Right at the beginning, we need to clarify something: this planet is a planet of parasites, and the parasitic way of life is the most widespread life strategy on Earth. Yet, parasites seem rare, but that's because they live hidden in the bodies of their hosts. ***** Why are we so interested in parasites? Why are people afraid of them? And is there really a reason to be afraid of parasites? This book answers these and other questions. It presents human and animal parasites and their way of life from various angles, from medical and veterinary to biological, historical, and artistic. Life-threatening parasites are rarely found in our territory, but the less dangerous ones are still common, and having your own parasite is not a rarity: most children get infected with lice, and pinworms are also frequent in children's groups, with approximately one-fifth of the population infected with the protozoan Toxoplasma. In the tropics and subtropics, parasites are still a very serious health problem, but on the other hand, their positive contribution to our health and immunity is also considered, and they are even used for treatment. So should we be afraid of them? Are we overestimating or underestimating them?…