Common parasites in humans

7 November 2020

Various parasites can live in humans. These can be not only multicellular and protozoa, but also viruses, bacteria, fungi. They parasitize to the detriment of the human body. Harmful microorganisms can live not only in the intestines, but also in muscles, blood, etc. You need to start fighting parasites as early as possible. Otherwise, complications cannot be avoided.

Varieties of parasites

There are many parasitic organisms that thrive in the human body. They all have specific characteristics.

Roundworms

Roundworms or nematodes include about 1000 subspecies in their group. The most famous representatives are pinworm, Trichinella, toxocara, hookworm, nekator, as well as roundworm. They enter the body through the mouth or skin. The main representatives of roundworms are described in the table.

Parasite	Description
Pinworms	This is a round snail that does not exceed 2-12 mm in length. Females are usually larger. These representatives parasitize in the lower intestine and colon. Adult females lay eggs in the perianal region. Such representatives are most often found in children. The eggs fall on the patient's hands when scratching the itchy anus in the presence of such parasites. Itching is one of the first symptoms.
Trichinella	Trichinella is a nematode. Pests enter the body along with poorly processed meat. Once they enter the body, its complete intoxication begins. In advanced cases, parasites can be fatal to humans.
Toksokari	This parasite often lives on animals, including livestock. Young children are very susceptible to toxocariasis. The parasite multiplies very quickly, so treatment should begin immediately.
Striking moths	It is believed that every 4 people on the planet are carriers of this parasite. An adult can live in the body of the host for 8 years. With proper and timely treatment, 95% of 100 patients can be cured of ankylosis. The parasite enters the body along with the contaminated soil.
Nekator	These representatives are small. Their length reaches 2 cm. The female pest lays up to 10, 000 eggs a day. The larvae of the parasite enter the external environment along with the feces.
Askaris	Roundworms can grow up to 35 cm. The parasite first develops in the small intestine and then spreads throughout the body. In order for individuals to become sexually mature, they need to re-enter the body.

After the entry of roundworms into the human body, the process of development of pathological symptoms begins. The walls of the intestine become inflamed and for this reason there is a disturbance in the work of the digestive system. Parasites in the body are a serious threat. They absorb some nutrients.

Ribbons

Tapeworms or cestodes present in the body cause cestodes. Adults are found only in the intestines. The larvae can spread throughout the body. A person can be infected with the following tapeworms:

Wide ribbon. This is the longest helminth in the world. It can grow up to 15-17 meters. Broad tape causes significant damage to the human body. Ulcers form at the site of its binding.
Bull tapeworm. This is another major parasite that negatively affects human health. It is most commonly found in the small intestine. Infection occurs when eating contaminated meat that has been heat-treated.
Pork tapeworm. The tapeworm can grow up to several meters in length. Pests can be carried by wild and domestic pigs.
Echinococcus. Eggs enter the environment together with fecal matter. Infection often occurs when personal hygiene is not respected.
Alveokokus. The parasite grows to a length of 2, 2 mm. Infection occurs with food that is contaminated with contaminated feces.

The pathology is primarily manifested by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Nervous activity disorder occurs. A person's well-being is constantly deteriorating.

Fluke Worms

Butterflies are flatworms. These are some of the most dangerous representatives. Almost all flukes parasitize on the body of the owner. Ownership changes only at a certain stage of development.

Changing the host eliminates possible overcrowding in the host body. The most common representatives of flukes include:

Siberian fluke. Infection occurs when eating fish that has undergone insufficient heat treatment. The eggs of this pest are contained in human fecal masses. The parasite grows to a length of 13 mm. The body is almost completely transparent.
Liver fluke. A parasite capable of infecting both animals and humans. An adult grows to a maximum of 8 cm. Infection is possible when dirty plants are used on which the fluke is already in its middle form. There is also a risk of water pollution.
Schistosome. If left untreated, schistosomes can cause sudden death in a patient. Only 6 varieties of this parasite are dangerous to humans. The microorganism can be found in blood vessels, the bladder. Infection often occurs when bathing in fresh water.
Clonorhis. People working in public catering are susceptible to infections. Clonorchis most often occurs in men older than 35 years. They are in danger. The eggs of the parasite are excreted in the feces.

Parasites most often enter the body when they eat raw or poorly cooked fish. Another common option is the presence of poorly washed vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Trematode

This is a type of flatworm. Their main feature is the presence of dinghies. Trematodes include:

Opisthorchiasis. The source of infection is raw or poorly cooked fish. The symptoms are nonspecific, making it difficult to diagnose the disease. The outcome is usually unfavorable.
Dicroceliosis. Helminthiasis, caused by lanceolate fluke. In case of pathology, the liver and gallbladder are further damaged.

The parasite is widespread throughout the world and poses a serious threat to livestock and humans.

Protozoa

The simplest parasites are single-celled pests. Some of the representatives are the oldest inhabitants of the Earth. Parasites successfully adapt to new conditions and reproduce due to their simple structure. The pest can live both in the skin and directly in the human body.

The movement of single-celled organisms can be reported with the help of eyelashes, whips, pseudopods. These types of parasites include:

Whips. They have an oval or pear-shaped body. The main difference is the presence of whips. Their number can be 1-8. The parasite sucks food all over the body. Infection can occur by insect bites, violation of the rules of personal hygiene, as well as promiscuous sexual activity.
Sporoviks. They can live in different human organs. Feeding, respiration and discharge of waste products is carried out all over the body of the pest.
Infusoria. These are ciliary or sucking parasites. They live in fresh water, soil.
Sarcode. The parasite consists of a single cell. Some types of sarcoids can live in human teeth if hygiene is inadequate.

Unicellular organisms can lead to a number of dangerous diseases, including malaria, amoebiasis, giardiasis, etc. Infection is possible by contact-home method, fecal-oral method, through contaminated products, as well as by transmissible method.

Protozoa - infections caused by the activity of the simplest microorganisms in humans. Animals are also susceptible to pathologies. The pathologies they cause include fungal infections.

In most cases, protozoan organisms come to humans from animals. Also, their entry is possible through water, soil and from person to person.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the surface of the body and on external organs. They can be a provocateur of skin diseases. In addition, ectoparasites transmit various infections.

The group of ectoparasites includes:

Ears. It is a parasite that sucks blood. The oral organ pierces human skin with ease. If necessary, the ears can withstand fasting for several days. Lice can be body and head lice. Lice are a serious threat because they can transmit infectious diseases.
Bloch. These are temporary ectoparasites. Transferred from person to animal and back. Provides severe bite discomfort.

Ectoparasites most commonly infect animals, but can also infect humans, such as ticks or lice. Pests feed on blood. They have a high reproduction rate.

Helminti

Currently, experts identify 280 species of worms. They are all capable of life and development in the human body. It is wrong to believe that helminthiases occur only in people from disadvantaged families. Worms can occur even in wealthy people who follow their hygiene carefully.

Helminths can be infected in many ways. Parasites can spread from animals, from person to person and by contact with contaminated soil. Worms most commonly occur in children. This is due to non-compliance with preventive measures.

The first symptoms may not appear immediately. They can appear after 2-3 days or a few weeks. It all directly depends on what kind of parasites have entered the body. Helminthiasis can be both acute and chronic.

Classification of parasites

All parasites are divided into species. There are large groups according to:

method of infection;
location method;
biological characteristics.

Each of the groups has its own characteristics.

By locale type

Assign temporary, stationary, and transit localization forms. In the first case, the parasite lives in the body of the owner only at a certain stage of development. In immobile form, pests are constantly in the human body. The temporary form is the period of migration of the parasite into its habitat.

When treating, doctors always take into account not only the form of the parasite, but also the place of its residence. In total, pests are divided into 2 main categories. Parasites that live on the skin are ectoparasites. The pests that have settled inside the owner are endoparasites.

Internal parasites are divided into 2 categories - tissue parasites and parasites of the abdominal organs. There are also atypical forms. In this case, the pests are located in unusual places for them.

External parasites can be temporary or permanent. Those who feed on blood from bites are temporary. They can cause infections. The rest of the parasite disrupts the integrity of the skin.

There are also intracellular pests. This includes, for example, Plasmodium malaria.

Infection method

Parasites can also be classified according to the mode of infection. The following penetration methods are distinguished:

Contact and household. In this case, the parasites penetrate as a result of violating sanitary and hygienic standards.
Fecal-oral. In this case, the infection occurs with dirty hands, as well as poor quality products.
Transmission tracks. Infection occurs through blood-sucking insects.
Active tracks. This is the name of the method of infection by which parasites reach the owner in the larval stage.

Due to the large number of penetration methods, parasites can be infected anywhere. Only preventive measures can reduce the risk of infection.

By biological characteristics

According to biological characteristics, parasites are divided into two categories - unicellular and multicellular. The first group includes sporozoans, cilia, whips, histological amoebae. The main method of infection is to ignore the rules of personal hygiene.

Worms, insects, arachnids are usually classified as multicellular parasites. The danger of infection, for example, helminths, is that the worms damage tissues and internal organs.

The most common multicellular parasites are worms.

Multicellular parasites are more dangerous. They are characterized by fast reproduction and a complex life cycle.

Where parasites can be found

Some parasites can live in certain parts of the body, while others can spread throughout the body. It is difficult to diagnose parasite infection.

Roundworms live primarily in the digestive tract. Infection occurs when eating unwashed food.

Parasites can be found under human skin. These representatives include rishtu. The pest enters the body when drinking raw water. Tourists who go on holiday to countries where rishta is common are often infected.

Internal organs infect flukes. They can live in the liver, pancreas, intestines, biliary tract. The main source of infection is the consumption of raw fish.

There are also tissue microorganisms. They can live in the spinal cord, muscles and connective tissue. The main source of infection is domestic animals.

There are also eye parasites. They can be round, flat, ring-shaped, prickly. The main source of infection is poor heat treatment of fish or contact with infected animals.

Danger of parasitic infection for humans

Any parasitic infection requires urgent treatment. The sooner you start treatment, the faster you will be able to deal with the pests and the fewer complications will occur.

Parasites in the human body can lead to serious pathologies:

Some pests cause the development of acute colitis. The condition worsens significantly if the patient has an ulcer. There may be blood in the stool, which is dangerous for the development of anemia. Treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Parasites can settle in the brain or liver. This condition can be dangerous not only for the health, but also for the life of the patient. When infected, there is a risk of developing a cyst.
Pests living in the gut can compromise its integrity. In addition, there is a risk of clogging.
Parasites deal a significant blow to the human immune system. Leukocytes and erythrocytes are destroyed. This affects a person’s general well-being almost instantly.
Pests take nutrients from the human body. The risk of developing thyroid disease, anemia, increases. In addition, the condition of the hair and nail line worsens.
The body is poisoned by toxic components. Waste products of parasites are toxic to humans. The more of them, the worse the man's well-being. The risk of developing allergies, asthma increases, and asthma attacks are also likely.

Parasites are especially dangerous for children. The infection turns into a large number of unpleasant symptoms. The child loses appetite, loses weight, apathy and fatigue appear. Your baby may cry often and become restless. Visible dark circles appear under the eyes.

The baby is in the growth phase, so it is important for him to get enough nutrients. With parasites in the body this is not possible. The baby's condition is getting worse every day. A child can be seriously delayed in development.

The danger of parasites is that they can live in humans for months and years without being felt in any way. During this time it will weaken considerably, it will face a lack of nutrients. Possible complete exhaustion. Only timely treatment can help prevent this.

Factors contributing to infection

Often people are to blame for the appearance of worms. There are a number of factors that increase the likelihood of pests. These include:

refusing to wash hands before eating;
infection with dirty shoes;
ignoring worm signs in pets;
drinking raw water;
eat unwashed fruits and vegetables;
poor heat treatment of meat and fish;
often eating out;
weakening of the immune system after taking strong medications.

The eggs of the parasite first enter the intestines. They are then absorbed into the bloodstream and the larvae are transmitted throughout the body.

Parasites spread fastest in large groups of children. This is due to neglect of hygiene rules and too close contacts.

Symptoms of parasites in the human body

It is important to know that sometimes parasites do not manifest at all for a long time. The symptoms are often general and are almost invisible at first.

The first symptoms of parasites in the body are rapid and unreasonable weight loss, as well as the appearance of itching in the anus. The presence of parasitic infections can only be checked by diagnosis. Symptoms of infection often include various disorders of the nervous system and general weakness in the body.

A person who has parasites suffers from vitamin deficiency. This contributes to the appearance of fatigue, severe drowsiness and constant apathy.

If pests live in the gut, then problems with the digestive system are inevitable. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. There is a risk of increased flatulence and pain in the right hypochondrium.

In the presence of parasites, a person's protective functions are reduced. Due to poor immunity there is a risk of various infectious diseases.

One of the clearest signs of a parasite is the spontaneous onset of allergy symptoms. In addition, allergic rhinitis or persistent dry cough may begin to bother you.

Diagnosis of helminthiasis

Only after the diagnosis and confirmation of the presence of worms can their treatment be started. To make sure that parasites are present, doctors use different diagnostic methods:

Macroscopic. For him, the patient's feces are taken for analysis. A microscope or magnifier is used as an accessory. This method is used to find pinworms or ascaris.
Microscopic. For that, a thick stain is taken, which is further examined on a special membrane.
Immunological. In this case, antibodies to a specific type of helminth are sought in the blood. This method is used to look for a huge number of different parasites.
Biopsy. The presence of worms is determined by examining the muscle tissue.
Instrumental. Such methods are used to determine how much parasites damage internal organs and tissues. These methods include ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography.

Treatment of parasite infection

To eliminate parasites, you can give preference to both drugs and folk methods. It is best to combine them. In that case, the effectiveness of the therapy will be the most pronounced and the fastest.

Treatment is selected on an individual basis. The most effective therapy is chosen by the doctor, taking into account all the characteristics that are present in a particular patient.

Folk remedies for parasites in the human body

Traditional methods of treatment are no less effective than drugs. Their main advantage is complete safety for the patient.

One of the best remedies is garlic juice. Contains phytoncides. They are the ones who destroy the pests in the body. The juice is taken three times a day. Start with 5 drops a day. The dosage is gradually increased.

Another effective remedy is wormwood tincture. Like garlic, it contains phytoncides. To prepare the drug, 1 tablespoon of wormwood is mixed with 100 ml of alcohol. The drug is insisted for a week in a dark place. Take 20 drops 3 times a day. The tincture is used 20 minutes before meals.

It's good to include lots of carrots in your diet and drink their juice. Harmful to parasites. It is recommended to take 1 glass of fresh carrot juice 30 minutes before meals.

Herbal decoctions have a great effect on the body. To prepare the remedy for parasites, mix 1 tbsp. tansy, wormwood, aspen bark. All components are poured into a glass of water and boiled. Take after cooling. Drink the soup 3 times a day, 125 ml before meals.

The main disadvantage of traditional therapy is that some medications can cause an allergic reaction if there is intolerance to certain components. In this case, you will need to review the therapy and find a decoction or tincture that does not contain allergens in its composition.

There is also an opinion that it is enough to reconsider your diet to fight a small number of parasites. You need to include:

in the menu

pumpkin seeds;
raw fruits and vegetables;
coconut and pineapple;
chile;
garlic;
various vegetable oils.

All these products negatively affect the activity of parasites.

Parasite Remedy

Medications are more effective. The main thing is to deliberately take all medications. It is important to know that they are strong, so their use is possible only after prior consultation with a doctor.

Self-medication with worm medications is strictly prohibited. There is a risk that the patient will only worsen his own well-being by using the wrong medications that are needed in a particular case.

Parasite prevention in the human body

It is easier to prevent the appearance of parasitic microorganisms than to fight them in the future. Everyone should adhere to existing security measures. It is recommended for this:

use only purified water for washing food and drinks;
do not use other people's personal hygiene items;
administer antiparasitic drugs to animals for prophylaxis;
stop eating dirty fruits and vegetables;
stop eating raw fish.

Diagnosis is required from time to time to ensure that there are no harmful microorganisms. If preventive measures are taken, the risk of infection is minimal. It is especially important to ensure that children follow the recommendations. They are the ones who are in the main risk group.