Parasites are everywhere. Yes, even here in the good ole U.S. Do you know the difference between a parasitic infection and a bacterial infection? Besides the fact that parasites may make you feel more miserable, many of the medicines that treat parasitic infections are much more unpleasant than those that treat bacterial infections. This is because parasites are eukaryotic — their cells are in the same class as human cells, whereas bacterial cells are prokaryotic. Since their cells are similar to ours, the medicines used to treat parasitic infections can have dreadful side effects. So here are a few words of advice to avoid obtaining an unwanted souvenir on your vacation. You could easily be infected with numerous parasites by unsanitized drinking water. This is why you shouldn’t drink the water in Mexico on spring break — or anywhere else that has questionable sanitation. Two parasites in particular, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia, cause nasty cases of diarrhea. Entamoeba histolytica can take the infection to greater severity by causing bloody diarrhea or can even travel to the liver, causing an abscess. For those planning a back-packing trip through nature, I wouldn’t advise drinking water from a stream. Even if the water looks sparkling, pure and clean, remember the entire world is a bathroom for animals. Giardia lamblia is commonly found in beavers, and the parasite can be transmitted to humans through fecal contamination. So avoid any water that has not been properly sanitized. But if you insist on being a manly man and relying only on nature, be manly enough to start a fire and boil the water for several minutes before drinking it.  For those of you who plan on water skiing or tubing this break, there’s a dangerous parasite of which you should be aware. It’s called Naelgeria fowleri, a.k.a. the brain-eating amoeba. It lives in warm, unchlorinated fresh water and can travel to your brain through your nose. Doctors will often misdiagnose this infection as meningitis. By the time they realize it isn’t meningitis, your parents are picking out a casket. Don’t let this scare you from having fun, but if you or someone you know has meningitis-like symptoms after spending a weekend at the lake, let the doctor know ASAP.   If you happen to be taking a trip to the Middle East, or Central/South America, beware of sand flies. They can transmit parasites that cause a disease called Leishmaniasis. These parasites can cause skin lesions (which can leave horrid scars) or enlargement of organs such as the liver or spleen. You know those kids on the commercials from underdeveloped countries with humongous bellies? A major cause is a parasitic infection of organs. Sand flies tend to bite when the sun goes down, so it would be in your best interest to use bug repellents or nets while you sleep.    Central/South America is also home to a parasite called the Botfly. This fly will lay its eggs on a mosquito, which can then be transferred to underneath your skin by the mosquito. The small bump may seem to be a pesky pimple, when in actuality there are larvae underneath the skin rather than white blood cells (the main components of a pimple). If you do seem to have this blemish after visiting Central/South America, have a doctor look at it immediately.  Before traveling anywhere, I would advise research on which parasites may be joining you on your vacation. This way you can take any precautions necessary. If you’d like to learn about more, Google these: Acanthamoeba (for those who wear contact lenses), Cimex lectularius (for those who would like to lose sleep at night), Toxoplasma gondii (for those who have cats or are pregnant) or Candiru fish (for those who will take a leak anywhere).I apologize if I’ve made you all fear for your lives. If I have made you too paranoid to enjoy yourself in the water this spring break, I’m sure you will find a way to drown those fears.Jenny Caraway is a microbiology senior from West Monroe.– – – -Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at [email protected]