Parasites are organisms that live at the expense of the host. Their vital activity in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminthic infestation is one of the least frequently diagnosed pathologies.
Parasitic diseases lead to serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, they cause the deaths of 16 million people worldwide. In order to recognize the parasite in time and prevent complications, you should know about possible infection routes and symptoms.
How dangerous are parasites?
Parasites can live both in the body and inside a person. Some varieties are harmless, while others pose a serious threat to life. The waste products of helminths have a toxic effect. With a large accumulation, poisoning of the body occurs.
Symptoms of parasite poisoning:
- to throw up;
- Weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- high body temperature;
- Fever;
- Cramps.
Treatment must be started on time as the neglected disease can be fatal.
The consequences of a parasite infection vary depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause allergic reactions, blindness and paralysis, destroy the liver, lungs and 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, life expectancy up to 20 years. As the tapeworm grows, it tends to kill its owner. 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 long. Symptoms of general intoxication appear and you can become infected through dirty hands.
- Onchocercal volvulus. A worm that causes river blindness (onchocerciasis).
- Tryponasome. Causes chronic heart and intestinal diseases.
- Australian tick. 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, rashes, fever and attacks of bronchial asthma.
General symptoms of parasitosis in the body:
- nausea, vomiting;
- Stomach pain;
- bowel dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
- itching in the anus;
- Grinding of teeth during sleep;
- loss of appetite;
- Headache;
- weakness, fatigue;
- avitaminosis;
- reduced immunity;
- Anemia;
- Cough;
- joint or muscle pain;
- a 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 also parasitize the lungs, muscle tissue, blood, blood vessels and brain. If the larva enters the bloodstream, it can attach itself to any internal organ and impair its function.
Which parasites live in the human body? There are more than 250 species that can survive on humans. Their size varies from microscopic to meters long, 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, pubic and body lice - pediculosis;
- Bed bug – is a carrier of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid;
- Demodex - demodicosis;
- scabies mite - scabies;
- Cochlioma – Cochliomyasis.
Infection with parasites occurs through contact and household contact. They are transmitted through skin contact, personal hygiene items and clothing. Cochliomyasis occurs when infected by flies, which are common in North and Central America.
Protozoan parasites
These include the following parasites:
- in the intestine - amoebas, 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 and sexual contact (in the case of Trichomonas).
Helminths
These are worms that disrupt the function of internal organs and metabolism during their life activity. Worms can be just a few centimeters long or reach 7-10 m in length.
In the case of an initial infection, they settle in the intestine; in the event of a repeated infection, they can affect other organs and muscles. Worms most commonly 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 a size of 25-30 cm.
- Opisthorchiasis. Adults infect the bile ducts and enter the human body along with infected fish.
- Cestodose. An infection caused by tapeworms occurs in humans through meat and fish and affects the intestines.
- Schistosomiasis. Caused by leeches or flatworms. An 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 recorded.
They can be divided into 3 groups:
- Nematodes – roundworms;
- trematodes – leeches;
- Cestodes are tapeworms.
Nematodes
The most famous representatives of roundworms:
- pinworms;
- roundworms;
- Whipworms.
The main routes of infection with helminths are 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;
- rashes;
- digestive disorders;
- chronic fatigue.
When the population is large, parasites leave the body naturally. In this case, nematodes can be found in the stool.
Trematodes
Lead to the development of dangerous infectious diseases. These parasites can be divided into the following groups depending on their habitat:
- leeches – schistosomes;
- liver fluke – liver fluke;
- intestinal fluke;
- pancreatic parasites;
- Lung fluke.
The symptoms of an infection depend on the organ affected. These may include 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 thermally processed meat and fish. The greatest danger comes from pork tapeworm, which can migrate into the bloodstream, muscle tissue and brain.
Cestodes can parasitize the body for a long time without obvious signs and reach 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;
- Echinococci.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect parasites?
Parasitic diseases are treated by parasitologists. If an infection is suspected, they should be contacted. A dermatologist can also detect parasites on the skin.
diagnosis
Diagnosis of parasitic worms is based on a laboratory examination of the stool. To identify worms, you must be tested three times.
Pinworm parasites are identified by scraping, which is done with tape. Organs that are not involved in digestion can be checked for parasites using a 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 body.
Drug treatment of parasites
Treatment of helminthiasis includes the use of anthelmintics. They are poisonous and therefore cannot be used without a confirmed diagnosis.
The symptoms of helminthiasis can be relieved with symptomatic treatment. Vitamin preparations, choleretics, hepatoprotectors, laxatives, anti-allergics, 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 get rid of helminths and protozoa. For 2 liters of water you need 2 tbsp. l. cranberry juice and 1 tbsp. l. Salt. Carry out the procedure twice 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 small amount of water and 100 g of honey. Eat all at once along with a laxative.
- Onion infusion. Cut a large onion into pieces, pour boiling water over it and let it steep 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. For example, you can easily get rid of pinworms by eating garlic, onions, hot spices and herbs.
Complications
Parasites have a negative effect on the human body. If helminthiasis 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;
- cerebral edema;
- purulent-septic lesions.
The vital activity of parasites in the stomach leads to peritonitis, in the lungs – to pneumonia. Roundworms clog the respiratory tract and bile ducts, causing suffocation or intestinal obstruction.
prevention
Preventive measures against parasite infestation:
- Wash your hands before eating and after going outside.
- consume only washed vegetables and fruits and boiled water.
- Store food in compliance with hygiene standards and 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 care products.
- Conduct deworming of pets.
Although worms pose a threat to human health and life, cleansing the body of them should be carried out only after the parasites have been discovered and under the supervision of a doctor. Timely diagnosis of helminthiasis helps to avoid serious complications. It is particularly important to take preventative measures with children.
FAQ
What symptoms can indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Common symptoms of parasitic infections can include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, allergic reactions, and problems with appetite and sleep.
What signs can indicate the presence of parasites in the human body?
Signs of parasites in the body may 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 re-infection.
Helpful advice
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
Conduct a special examination with a doctor to identify parasites. These may include stool, blood and urine tests, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods.
Tip #3
When treating parasites, consult your doctor about appropriate medications and diet and lifestyle recommendations.