Parasites are organisms that exist at the expense of the host. Their vital activity in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminthic infestation is one of the most frequently 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 the parasite in time and prevent complications, you should know about 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 products have a toxic effect. When there is a large accumulation, the body is toxic.
Symptoms of parasite poisoning:
- to throw up;
- weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- fever;
- convulsions.
Treatment must be started on time, because the neglected condition can be fatal.
The consequences of parasitic infection vary depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause an allergic reaction, blindness, paralysis, destroy the liver, lungs, brain and affect the functioning 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. As the tapeworm 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 grow up to 30 cm in length. Symptoms of general intoxication appear, and you can get infected through dirty hands.Onchocercavolvulus . The worm that causes river blindness (onchocerciasis).Tryponasoma . It causes chronic diseases of the heart and intestines.Australian tick . It causes a severe allergic reaction, which leads to respiratory failure.
General symptoms
The most common signs of the presence of parasites are allergic manifestations in the form of urticaria, itchy skin, rashes, elevated temperature and attacks of bronchial asthma.
General symptoms of parasitosis 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;
- avitaminosis;
- 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 parasitize 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 functioning.
What parasites live in the human body? There are more than 250 species that can live off humans. Their sizes vary from microscopic to meters, and their number can also vary.
The main types of parasites in humans can be distinguished:
- ectoparasites;
- helminths;
- protozoa (protozoa).
Ectoparasites
This species lives on the skin. Representatives of ectoparasites:
- head lice, pubic and body lice - pediculosis;
- bed bug - it is a carrier of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid;
- demodex - demodecosis;
- mite scabies - scabies;
- cochleoma – cochleomiasis.
Infection with parasites occurs through contact and household contact. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, through personal hygiene items and clothing. Choliomiasis occurs when infected with midges, which are common in North and Central America.
Protozoan parasites
These include the following parasites:
- in the intestines - amoebae, lamblia, leishmania, blastocysts, 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 disrupt the work of internal organs and metabolism during their life activity. Worms can be only a few centimeters long or reach 7-10 m.
During the primary infection, they settle in the intestines, and during repeated infections, 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.Opisthorchiasis . Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body together with infected fish.Cestodose . Infection caused by tapeworms occurs in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.Schistosomiasis . It is 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 species of helminths have been registered.
They can be grouped into 3 groups:
- nematodes – round worms;
- trematodes - flukes;
- Cestodes are tapeworms.
Nematodes
The most prominent representatives of roundworms:
- pinworms;
- round worms;
- whips.
The main routes of infection with helminths are the consumption of 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 rash;
- indigestion;
- chronic fatigue.
When the population is high, the parasites leave the body naturally. In this case nematodes can be found in the stool.
Trematodes
They 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;
- intestinal flukes;
- pancreatic parasites;
- lung flukes.
Symptoms of infection depend on the affected organ. These may include weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal bowel movements, pale skin, irritability or apathy.
The main source of infection is the discharge of feces of sick animals or people into water and soil.
Cestodes
Tapeworms live in the intestines. They enter the human body when consuming insufficiently thermally processed meat and fish. The biggest danger is the pork tapeworm, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissue and brain.
Cestodes can parasitize the body for a long time without obvious signs, growing to impressive sizes. The length of an adult is up to 10 m. Common diseases caused by cestodes are avitellinosis and echinococcosis.
Common representatives of cestodes:
- tapeworm;
- beef and pork tapeworm;
- 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. A dermatologist can also detect parasites on the skin.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of parasitic worms is carried out by laboratory examination of the stool. To identify the worms, you will need to test yourself three times.
Pinworm parasites are identified by scraping with adhesive tape. Organs not involved in digestion can be checked for parasites by 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 organism.
Treatment of parasites with drugs
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 alleviated by symptomatic treatment. Vitamin preparations, choleretics, hepatoprotectors, laxatives, antiallergic drugs, antibiotics and probiotics are used.
Corticosteroids are prescribed for severe allergic reactions.
Traditional treatment of parasites
You can get rid of parasites in the human body using the following traditional medicine:
Enema with cranberry juice . It helps to get rid of 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 make an enema.Pumpkin seeds . Peeled seeds (300 g) should be crushed, add some water and add 100 g of honey. Eat at once with a laxative.Onion infusion . Chop a larger onion into pieces, pour boiling water over it 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 food. By consuming garlic, onions, hot spices and herbs, you can easily get rid of, for example, worms.
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;
- appendicitis;
- enteritis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis;
- cirrhosis;
- liver cancer;
- anemia;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- pancreatitis;
- bronchitis;
- oncological diseases;
- cerebral edema;
- purulent-septic lesions.
Vital activity of parasites in the stomach leads to peritonitis, in the lungs - to pneumonia. Roundworms block the respiratory and bile ducts, causing choking or intestinal obstruction.
Prevention
Preventive measures against parasite infection:
- wash your hands before eating and after going outside;
- consume only washed vegetables and fruits, boiled water;
- store food in accordance with sanitary 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 products for personal hygiene;
- perform deworming of pets.
Although worms pose a threat to human health and life, cleansing the body of them should be done only after the parasites have been discovered and under the supervision of a doctor. Timely diagnosis of helminthiasis will help avoid serious complications. It is important to take preventive measures, especially for children.
FAQ
What symptoms can 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 can 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 of parasites in the human body may include taking antiparasitic 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, changes in body weight, allergic reactions - these can be signs of the presence of parasites in the body.
Tip #2
Have a special examination by 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 medications and dietary and lifestyle recommendations.