Parasitic diseases are a large group of diseases caused by helminths, some arthropods and protozoa.
While there are all the achievements of modern medicine and hygiene developed, according to statistics, about 90% of people around the world at least once in their lives face this pathology. How to suspect a disease, and what tests the parasite should take, you can learn from this article.
Parasitic type
Parasites are organisms that survive due to the vital activity of living things. Settling in the human body, in the process of their growth and reproduction, they cause a lack of trace elements, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients. Both can lead to relapse and increase in chronic pathology, and cause damage to internal organs on their own.
There are the following types of parasites that can cause disease in humans:
- protozoa (amoeba, lamblia);
- pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasm etc. );
- helminths (ringworms, cream worms, pig tapes and pigs, etc. );
- parasitic arthropods (scabies mites, demodex).
The main feature of the pathology it causes is a long-term symptom or low-grade course. Parasites skillfully hide their existence, trying to "squeeze everything out of the host's body" until their storage is depleted and the organ or tissue is severely damaged.
Symptoms of parasitic disease
Parasitic pathology often means helminthiases - diseases caused by the presence of worms in the body. In most cases, they are found in children, however, they can develop in adults if they ignore the rules of hygiene. For a long time after infection, they do not manifest themselves in any way, or are accompanied by subtle symptoms that are often left unattended.
Each disease is characterized by certain characteristics, but there are also common symptoms:
- Headache, dizziness, increased weakness and fatigue. This manifestation is the result of poisoning due to poisoning by parasitic waste.
- Exacerbates bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, urticaria. They arise from hypersensitivity to helminth cells and their excretory products.
- Disorders of the digestive system (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea). Helminths parasitize in the intestinal lumen causing inflammation, intestinal obstruction due to obstruction of the intestinal lumen.
- Anemia, vitamin deficiency, weight loss. It occurs due to lack of protein, vitamins and minerals, decreased hormone production.
- Sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, irritability, nervousness, muscle and joint pain.
Detection of most types of helminths requires fecal analysis or blood donation for specific antibodies. You can study at the clinic at your place of residence, while in the hospital, as well as at any private laboratory. Some medical centers offer to undergo further examination, where it is possible to diagnose the presence or absence of several types of parasites in the body at once.
Parasite test
Test what to do if a parasitic disease is suspected, the attending physician will inform based on the complaint, anamnesis and clinical manifestations of the disease.
Diagnosis begins with a complete blood count. The most common helminthiasis changes are:
- Decreased hemoglobin levels and decreased red blood cell count (arising from protein and iron deficiency).
- Increased number of leukocytes, ESR acceleration (these are signs of inflammation of internal organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract).
- Increased eosinophils (a hallmark of allergies that occur in response to the irritating effects of helminth waste products).
For a more accurate diagnosis, fecal analysis for worm eggs and scraps is used. When examining the stool, it is possible to detect the causative agent of enterobiasis, ascariasis, hymenolipedosis, as well as to detect the presence of protozoa microorganisms (lamblia).
It is important to remember that with one study, the probability of detecting worm eggs in feces is 30%. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis with the first negative outcome, the study was performed twice more with an interval of 2-4 days.
To improve the accuracy of the study, it is important to prepare the delivery of feces for careful analysis. Collect biological material only in special sterile containers, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. A few days before the analysis, you should stop eating dye products (beets, red berries, exotic fruits, sweets and drinks with dyes), do not use laxatives, and even rectal suppositories.
Imunoassay
ELISA analysis in adults and children can detect antibodies produced by the human body in response to the presence of foreign objects in it. For this, blood is drawn from the veins, where, under laboratory conditions, specific IgG antibodies to lamblia, trichomonas, tapeworms and cattle, trichinella, echinococcus, toxocara, ringworm and pinworms can be detected. With the help of this study, you can detect the presence of almost all parasites in the human body.
Preparation for research is not difficult. Needs analysis should be done in the morning, when the stomach is empty after 8-10 hours of fasting. Prior to the study, it was recommended not to take antibacterial and antihistamines, and also not to eat allergenic foods (honey, seafood, exotic fruits and red berries, nuts). Immediately before donating blood, experts recommend resting in the laboratory waiting room for 10-15 minutes.
Research results are known after 1-2 days. These studies were performed as a primary diagnosis and as a control over treatment.
Timely detection and modern treatment of parasitic diseases are effective in preventing dangerous complications to health.