Parasites are organisms that exist at the expense of the host. Their life in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminthic infestation is one of the most rarely diagnosed pathologies.
Parasitic diseases lead to serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, they cause the death of 16 million people worldwide. To detect the parasite in time and prevent complications, you should know possible routes of infection and symptoms.
How dangerous are parasites?
Parasites can live both on the body and inside a person. Some varieties are not dangerous, while others pose a serious threat to life. Helminth waste has a toxic effect. When there is a large accumulation, the body becomes poisoned.
Symptoms of parasite poisoning:
- vomit;
- weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- fever;
- convulsions.
Treatment must be started in time, because the neglected condition can be fatal.
The consequences of parasitic infection differ depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause an allergic reaction, blindness, paralysis, damage the liver, lungs, brain and affect the functioning of other organs. They reduce immunity, which makes a person more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
The most dangerous pests:
Cerebral Amoeba (film) . Lives in the brain, life expectancy up to 20 years. As the film grows, it tends to kill its owner. Mortality occurs in 97% of cases. The worm causes swelling of the brain and infection can be caused by eating contaminated meat or water.Roundworms . Ringworms, which are often found in a child's body. Adults reach 30 cm in length. Symptoms of general poisoning appear and you can be infected by dirty hands.Onchocercavolvulus . A worm that causes river blindness (onchocerciasis).Trypanosoma . It causes chronic heart and intestinal diseases.Australian tick . It causes a severe allergic reaction, leading to respiratory failure.
General symptoms
The most common signs of the presence of parasites are allergic manifestations in the form of hives, itching of the skin, rashes, fever and attacks of bronchial asthma.
General symptoms of parasitism in the body:
- nausea, vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- bowel dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation).
- itching in the anus;
- Grinding teeth in sleep;
- loss of appetite;
- headache;
- weakness, fatigue;
- vitamin deficiency?
- reduced immunity;
- anemia;
- cough;
- joint or muscle pain;
- sudden decrease or increase in body weight.
Symptoms may not appear immediately. For example, clinical signs of infection with pinworms appear after 2-3 days, and with roundworms - after 3 months.
Types of parasites
Parasites can live anywhere in the human body. They are usually found in the intestines and liver, but can infest the lungs, muscle tissue, blood, blood vessels and brain. If the larva enters the bloodstream, it can attach itself to any internal organ, disrupting its function.
What parasites live in the human body? There are more than 250 species that can live off humans. Their sizes vary from tiny to a meter long and their number can also vary.
The main types of parasites in humans can be distinguished:
- ectoparasites?
- helminths;
- protozoa (protozoa).
External parasites
This species lives in the skin. Representatives of ectoparasites:
- head, pubic and body louse - pediculosis;
- bed bug – is a carrier of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever.
- demodex - demodicosis;
- scabies mites - scabies;
- cochlioma – cochliomyasis.
Infection with parasites is through contact and household contact. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, with personal hygiene items and clothing. Cochliomyiasis occurs when infected by flies, which are common in North and Central America.
Protozoan parasites
These include the following pests:
- in the intestines - amoebae, lamblia, leishmania, blastocysts, baladitia.
- in the blood - trypanosomes, babesia.
- in the genitourinary system - Trichomonas;
- in internal organs (heart, lungs, liver, brain) - toxoplasma, trypanosomes, acanthamoeba.
Infection occurs through food, water, sexual contact (in the case of Trichomonas).
Helminths
These are worms that, during their lifetime, disrupt the functioning of internal organs and metabolism. Worms can be only a few centimeters long or reach 7-10 meters.
During the primary infection, they settle in the intestines, and during repeated infection they can affect other organs and muscles. The most common worms are those that live in the rectum, liver, bile ducts and lungs.
The most common diseases caused by helminth parasites:
Ascariasis . The larvae pass through the digestive tract and settle in the intestines. An adult reaches 25-30 cm.Licensing . Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body along with infected fish.Cestodosis . Tapeworm infection occurs in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.Schistosomiasis . Caused by pinworms or flatworms. Infection occurs when water contaminated with freshwater snails comes into contact with the skin.
This species includes a large number of subspecies. In total, more than 300 varieties of helminths have been recorded.
They can be grouped into 3 groups:
- nematodes - roundworms.
- trematodes - flukes;
- Custodians are a movie.
Nematodes
The most prominent representatives of roundworms:
- pinworms;
- Roundworms;
- whip.
The main routes of infection with helminths are eating dirty food or contaminated water, unwashed hands and insect bites. Nematodes settle in the gastrointestinal tract, less often in the liver, lungs and heart.
The main symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human intestine:
- nausea, vomiting;
- itching in the anus;
- skin rashes?
- indigestion;
- chronic fatigue.
When the population is high, the parasites leave the body naturally. In this case, nematodes can be found in the feces.
Tremorous
Lead to the emergence of dangerous infectious diseases. These pests, depending on their habitat, can be divided into the following groups:
- blood tests - schistosomes.
- liver flukes – liver flukes;
- intestinal drills;
- pancreatic parasites;
- pulmonary grooves.
Symptoms of infection depend on the organ affected. This can be weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal bowel movements, pale skin, irritability or listlessness.
The main source of contamination is the release of feces from sick animals or humans into water and soil.
Cestodes
Movies live in the gut. They enter the human body when they consume insufficiently thermally processed meat and fish. The greatest danger comes from pork tapeworm, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissues and brain.
Cestodes can parasitize the body for a long time without visible signs, growing to impressive sizes. The length of an adult is up to 10 meters. Common diseases caused by cestodes are avitellinosis and echinococcus.
Joint representatives of the custodians:
- film;
- beef and pork tape.
- sheep brain;
- echinococcus.
Which doctor should I see if I suspect parasites?
Parasitic diseases are treated by parasitologists. You should contact them if an infection is suspected. A dermatologist can also detect parasites on the skin.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of parasitic worms is carried out using a laboratory examination of the stool. To identify the worms, you will need to be tested three times.
Pinworm parasites are identified by scraping, which is done with adhesive tape. Organs not involved in digestion can be checked for parasites using a blood test or biopsy.
Treatment
You can cleanse the human body of parasites with the help of medicines and folk remedies. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of infection and intoxication of the body.
Medicinal treatment of parasites
Treatment of helminthiasis includes the use of anthelmintics. They are toxic, so they cannot be used without a confirmed diagnosis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis can be relieved with symptomatic treatment. Vitamin preparations, choleretic agents, hepatoprotective agents, laxatives, anti-allergic drugs, antibiotics and probiotics are used.
For severe allergic reactions, corticosteroids are prescribed.
Traditional treatment of parasites
You can get rid of parasites in the human body using the following traditional medicine:
Kisma with cranberry juice . It helps to get rid of helminths and protozoa. For 2 liters of water you need to take 2 tablespoons. large. cranberry juice and 1 tbsp. c. large. salt. Do the procedure 2 times a day.Garlic enema . You can get rid of intestinal parasites in this way - boil 6 cloves of garlic in 1 liter of milk, cool and make an enema.Pumpkin seeds . Peeled seeds (300 g) must be crushed, add a small amount of water and add 100 g of honey. Eat at the same time as a laxative.Onion infusion . Cut a large onion into pieces, pour boiling water and leave for 12 hours. Drink 100 g 3-4 times a day.
To remove parasites from the stomach and intestines, you must eat spicy foods. By consuming garlic, onions, hot spices and herbs, you can easily get rid of pinworms, for example.
Complications
Parasites negatively affect the human body. If helminthiasis is not treated, serious complications arise:
- frequent acute viral respiratory infections, enlarged adenoids and tonsils;
- appendicitis;
- enteritis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis;
- cirrhosis;
- liver cancer?
- anemia;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- pancreatitis;
- bronchitis;
- oncological diseases;
- cerebral edema?
- purulent-septic lesions.
The vital activity of parasites in the stomach leads to peritonitis, in the lungs - to pneumonia. Roundworms block the respiratory and bile ducts, causing suffocation or intestinal obstruction.
Prevention
Preventive measures against pest infestation:
- wash your hands before eating and after going out.
- consume only washed vegetables and fruits, boiled water.
- store food according to sanitary standards, avoid contact with flies.
- eat meat and fish only after heat treatment.
- Do not swim in polluted water.
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- deworm pets.
Although worms are a threat to human health and life, cleaning the body from them should be done only after the parasites have been identified and under the supervision of a doctor. Early diagnosis of helminthiasis will help to avoid serious complications. It is important to take preventive measures, especially in children.
FAQ
What symptoms may indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Some common symptoms of parasitic infections may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, upset stomach, allergic reactions, and changes in appetite and sleep.
What signs may indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Signs of parasites in the body can include the presence of parasites in the stool, blood tests and symptoms of specific parasitic infections such as malaria, trichinosis and others.
How can parasites in the human body be treated?
Treatment for parasites in the human body may include taking antiparasitic medications under medical supervision, as well as hygiene and preventative measures to prevent reinfection.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight changes, allergic reactions - these can be signs of the presence of parasites in the body.
Tip #2
Conduct a special examination with a doctor to identify parasites. This may include stool, blood, urine tests, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods.
Tip #3
When dealing with parasites, consult your doctor for appropriate medications and dietary and lifestyle recommendations.