Parasites are organisms that exist at the expense of the host. Their life activity in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminthic attack 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. In order to detect parasites immediately and prevent complications, you should know about possible routes of infection and symptoms.
How dangerous are parasites?
Parasites can live in the body and in a person. Some types are harmless, while others pose a serious threat to life. The waste products of helminths have a toxic effect. When there is a large accumulation, the body is poisoned.
Symptoms of parasitic intoxication:
- vomiting;
- weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- fever;
- convulsions.
Treatment must be started on time, as the neglected condition can be fatal.
The consequences of parasite infection vary depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause allergic reactions, blindness, paralysis, destroy the liver, lungs, brain, and affect the function of other organs. They reduce immunity, which makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases.
The most dangerous parasites:
Brain amoeba (tapeworm) . Lives in the brain, lifespan up to 20 years. When tapeworms grow, they tend to kill their owners. Death occurs in 97% of cases. Worms cause swelling of the brain, and infection can be caused by eating contaminated meat or water.Ringworm . Ringworm, which is often found in the body of children. Adults grow up to 30 cm long. Symptoms of general intoxication appear, and you can get infected through dirty hands.Onchocercavolvulus . Worms that cause river blindness (onchocerciasis).Tryponasoma . Causes chronic heart and intestinal disease.Australian fleas . 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 urticaria, skin itching, rash, fever and bronchial asthma attacks.
General symptoms of parasitosis in the body:
- nausea vomiting;
- stomachache;
- bowel dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
- itching in the anus;
- grinding teeth while sleeping;
- loss of appetite;
- Headache;
- weakness, fatigue;
- avitaminosis;
- decreased immunity;
- anemia;
- cough;
- joint or muscle pain;
- sudden weight loss or gain.
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 they can parasitize the lungs, muscle tissue, blood, blood vessels and brain. If the larvae enter the bloodstream, they can attach 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 size varies from microscopic to meters long, and their numbers can also vary.
The main types of parasites in humans can be distinguished:
- ectoparasite;
- helminths;
- protozoa (protozoa).
Ectoparasites
This species lives on the skin. Representatives of ectoparasites:
- head, genital and body lice - pediculosis;
- bedbugs – are carriers of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever;
- demodex - demodicosis;
- mite scabies - scabies;
- cochlioma – cochliomiasis.
Infection with parasites occurs through contact and household contact. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, through personal hygiene items and clothing. Cochliomiasis occurs when infected by flies, which are common in North and Central America.
Protozoan parasites
These include the following parasites:
- in the intestine - amoeba, lamblia, leishmania, blastocyst, balanditia;
- 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, in the course of their life activities, interfere with the functioning of internal organs and metabolism. Worms can be just a few centimeters long or reach 7-10 m.
During primary infection, they settle in the intestine, and during recurrent 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 intestine. An adult reaches 25-30 cm.Opisthorchiasis . Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body along with infected fish.Cestodosis . Infections caused by tapeworms occur in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.Schistosomiasis . Caused by flukes 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 types of helminths have been registered.
They can be divided into 3 groups:
- nematodes – roundworms;
- trematodes - flukes;
- cestodes are tapeworms.
Nematodes
The most prominent representatives of roundworms:
- pinworms;
- roundworms;
- whipworm.
The main routes of infection with helminths are ingestion of contaminated food or 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 rash;
- indigestion;
- chronic fatigue.
When the population is high, parasites leave the body naturally. In this case, nematodes can be found in the feces.
Trematodes
Lead to the emergence of dangerous infectious diseases. These parasites, depending on their habitat, can be divided into the following groups:
- blood flukes - schistosomes;
- liver flukes - liver flukes;
- bowel disease;
- pancreatic parasites;
- lung disease.
Symptoms of infection depend on the organ affected. This may be weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal bowel movements, pale skin, irritability or apathy.
The main source of infection is the release of feces from sick animals or people into water and soil.
Cestodes
Tapeworms live in the intestines. They enter the human body when eating insufficiently processed meat and fish. The biggest danger comes from pork tapeworms, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissue and brain.
Cestodes can parasitize the body for a long time without obvious signs, growing to an impressive size. The length of adults is up to 10 m. Common diseases caused by cestodes are avitellinosis and echinococcosis.
Common representatives of cestodes:
- tape worm;
- cattle and pig tapeworms;
- sheep brain;
- echinococcus.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect parasites?
Parasitic diseases are treated by parasitologists. They should be contacted if infection is suspected. Dermatologists can also detect parasites on the skin.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of parasitic worms is carried out using stool laboratory examination. To identify worms, you 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 blood tests or biopsies.
Treatment
You can cleanse the human body of parasites with the help of medicines and folk remedies. The duration of treatment depends on the level of infection and intoxication of the body.
Parasite drug treatment
Treatment of helminthiasis involves the use of anthelmintics. They are toxic, so they should not be used without a confirmed diagnosis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis can be eliminated with symptomatic treatment. Vitamin preparations, choleretic agents, hepatoprotectors, laxatives, antiallergic 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 remedies:
Enema with cranberry juice . It helps eliminate helminths and protozoa. For 2 liters of water you need to take 2 tablespoons. l. cranberry juice and 1 tbsp. l. 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 do an enema.Pumpkin seeds . Peeled seeds (300 g) must be crushed, add a little water, and add 100 g of honey. Eat at a time along with laxatives.Onion infusion . Cut the onion into slices, pour boiling water over it, and leave it for 12 hours. Drink 100 g 3-4 times a day.
To remove parasites from the stomach and intestines, you need to eat spicy food. By taking garlic, onions, hot spices and herbs, you can easily get rid of pinworms, for example.
Complications
Parasites have a negative effect on the human body. If helminthiasis is not treated, severe complications arise:
- frequent acute respiratory viral infections, enlarged adenoids and tonsils;
- appendix;
- enteritis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis;
- cirrhosis;
- heart cancer;
- anemia;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- pancreatitis;
- bronchitis;
- oncological diseases;
- cerebral edema;
- purulent-septic wounds.
Vital activity of parasites in the stomach leads to peritonitis, in the lungs - to pneumonia. Roundworms block the airways and bile, causing shortness of breath or intestinal obstruction.
Prevention
Preventive measures against parasitic infections:
- wash your hands before eating and after going out;
- eat only vegetables and fruits washed, boiled water;
- store food in compliance with hygiene standards, avoid contact with flies;
- eat meat and fish only after heat treatment;
- do not swim in polluted waters;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- conduct pet deworming.
Although worms pose a threat to human health and life, cleansing the body from them should only be done after the parasite is detected and under the supervision of a doctor. Timely diagnosis of helminthiasis will help to avoid serious complications. It is important to take preventive measures, especially in children.
Frequently asked questions
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, stomach pain, allergic reactions, and changes in appetite and sleep.
What are the signs that may indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Signs of parasites in the body may include the presence of parasites in stool, blood tests, and symptoms of certain parasitic infections such as malaria, trichinosis, etc.
How can parasites in the human body be treated?
Treatment for parasites in the human body may include taking anti-parasitic drugs under medical supervision, as well as hygiene and preventive measures to prevent reinfection.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight changes, allergic reactions - these may be signs of the presence of parasites in the body.
Tip #2
Carry out a special examination with a doctor to identify parasites. This may include stool, blood, urine tests, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods.
Tip #3
When treating parasites, consult your doctor for appropriate medication and recommendations for diet and lifestyle.