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 rarely diagnosed pathologies.
Parasitic diseases lead to serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, they kill 16 million people worldwide. In order to detect the parasite in time and prevent complications, you need to know possible ways of infection and symptoms.
How dangerous are parasites?
Parasites can live both in the body and inside the person. Some species are not dangerous, while others pose a serious threat to life. The waste of helminths has a toxic effect. When there is a large accumulation, the body becomes poisoned.
Symptoms of parasite intoxication:
- Vomiting;
- weakness;
- lack of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- temperature;
- convulsions.
Treatment should be started on time, because the neglected condition can be fatal.
The results of parasitic infection differ 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:
Cerebral amoeba (tapeworm) . It lives in the brain, its lifespan is up to 20 years. As the tapeworm grows, it tends to kill the host. Death 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).Tryponazoma . It causes chronic heart and intestinal diseases.Australian tick . It causes a severe allergic reaction that causes respiratory failure.
General symptoms
The most common signs of the presence of parasites are allergic manifestations in the form of urticaria, skin itching, rashes, fever and attacks of bronchial asthma.
Common symptoms of parasitosis in the body:
- nausea, vomiting;
- stomach ache;
- intestinal dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
- itching in the anus;
- teeth grinding in sleep;
- lack of appetite;
- Headache;
- weakness, fatigue;
- avitaminosis;
- decreased immunity;
- anemia;
- cough;
- joint or muscle pain;
- sharp 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 to any internal organ and disrupt its function.
What parasites live in the human body? There are more than 250 species that can live outside of humans. Their sizes vary from microscopic to meters long, and their number can also vary.
The main types of parasites in humans can be distinguished:
- ectoparasites;
- helminths;
- protozoans (protozoans).
Ectoparasites
This species lives on the skin. Representatives of ectoparasites:
- head, pubic and body lice - pediculosis;
- bedbug is a carrier of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever;
- demodex - demodicosis;
- scabies tick - itching;
- cochlioma - cochlioma.
Infection with parasites occurs through contact and household contact. They are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, personal hygiene products and clothing. Cochleiomyiasis occurs when infected by flies that 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 life. The length of worms can be only a few centimeters or reach 7-10 m.
During the initial infection, they are located in the intestines, and during re-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 system and settle in the intestines. An adult person reaches 25-30 cm.Opisthorchosis . Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body together with infected fish.Cestodosis . Infection caused by tapeworms occurs in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.Schistosomiasis . Caused by flakes or flatworms. Infection occurs when water contaminated with freshwater snails comes into contact with the skin.
This species includes many subspecies. In total, more than 300 species of helminths have been recorded.
They can be divided into 3 groups:
- nematodes - roundworms;
- trematodes - flukes;
- Cestodes are tapeworms.
Nematodes
The most prominent representatives of roundworms:
- pinworms;
- roundworms;
- whipworms.
The main ways of infection with helminths are the use of contaminated food or water, unwashed hands and insect bites. Nematodes are located in the gastrointestinal tract, less often in the liver, lungs and heart.
The main signs of the presence of parasites in human intestines:
- 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.
Trematodes
It causes dangerous infectious diseases. These parasites can be divided into the following groups depending on their habitat:
- blood flukes - schistosomes;
- liver congestion - liver congestion;
- intestinal tumors;
- pancreatic parasites;
- pulmonary flukes.
Symptoms of infection depend on the affected organ. This 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 enough thermally processed meat and fish. The greatest danger comes from pork tape, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissue, and brain.
Cestodes, growing to impressive sizes, can parasitize the body for a long time without obvious symptoms. The length of an adult is up to 10 m.
Common representatives of cestodes:
- tapeworm;
- beef and pork tapeworm;
- sheep's brain;
- echinococcus.
Which doctor should I see if I suspect parasites?
Treatment of parasitic diseases is carried out by parasitologists. You should contact them if you suspect an infection. A dermatologist can also detect parasites on the skin.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of parasitic worms is carried out using laboratory examination of feces. It is necessary to test three times to identify worms.
Pinworm parasites are identified by scraping, which is done with adhesive tape. Non-digestive organs can be checked for parasites using a blood test or biopsy.
Treatment
With the help of medicines and folk remedies, you can cleanse the human body of parasites. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of infection and intoxication of the body.
Medicinal treatment of parasites
Treatment of helminthosis involves the use of anthelmintics. They are poisonous, so they cannot be used without a confirmed diagnosis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis can be eliminated with 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 . Helps get rid of helminths and protozoa. You need to take 2 tablespoons for 2 liters of water. 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 a small amount of water and add 100 g of honey. Eat with a laxative.Onion infusion . Chop a large onion, 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 need to eat spicy food. By consuming garlic, onions, hot spices and greens, for example, you can easily get rid of pinworms.
Complications
Parasites have a negative effect on the human body. If helminthosis is not treated, serious 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;
- brain edema;
- purulent-septic lesions.
Vital activity of parasites in the stomach leads to peritonitis, and pneumonia in the lungs. Roundworms block the respiratory and bile ducts, causing suffocation or intestinal obstruction.
Prevention
Preventive measures against parasite infection:
- wash your hands before eating and after going out;
- consume only washed vegetables and fruits, boiled water;
- keep 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 personal hygiene products;
- carry out 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 are detected and under the supervision of a doctor. Timely diagnosis of helminthiasis will help prevent serious complications. It is important to take preventive measures, especially in children.
Frequently asked questions
What signs 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 signs of specific parasitic infections such as malaria, trichinosis and others.
How to treat parasites in the human body?
Treatment of parasites in the human body can include taking anti-parasitic drugs under the supervision of a doctor, as well as hygiene and preventive 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
Have 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 medications and recommendations for diet and lifestyle.