Parasites are microorganisms that survive by feeding on their host's organism. Living in the human body, they cause serious health problems, and as a result of their reproduction can be fatal.
Parasitic organisms are generally classified into two types:
- Zooparasites, which include parasitic worms (helminths, flatworms), arachnids, ticks, mollusks, etc.
- Phytoparasites are parasitic plants, viruses, pathogenic fungi, etc.
Also, some types of viruses that lead a parasitic lifestyle to the detriment of a foreign organism can be classified as parasites.
Unfortunately, even modern society is not able to fully protect itself from parasite infestation, but if you do a parasite analysis in time, you can avoid their reproduction and get rid of them without serious damage to health.
Symptoms that indicate the presence of parasites in the human body
The penetration of parasites into the human body occurs through natural openings such as the mouth, genitals and anus. Rarely, helminths penetrate the skin, genitourinary system or ears.
Diseases can be transmitted through food and water (most helminths), physical contact with an infected person (pinworms), soil, air or dust (roundworm).
Most often invasive diseases are asymptomatic and by no means show their presence to me. But with overproduction, signs of various diseases appear, which usually do not indicate the presence of parasites, which significantly complicates treatment due to the inability to make a correct diagnosis.
However, there are a number of signs by which it can be assumed that parasites are present in the human body.
Among them:
- frequent headaches;
- regular joint pain;
- unreasonable muscle pain;
- frequent colds;
- allergic skin rash;
- difficult bowel movements and constipation;
- grinding teeth during sleep;
- low efficiency, constant fatigue;
- increased nervousness;
- insomnia;
- cracked heels;
- difficulty breathing;
- digestive tract disorder;
- sharp oscillations in weight;
- brittleness of nail plates;
- itching in the anus.
Tumor neoplasms
It should be borne in mind that parasitic diseases can cause serious problems. For example, a large number of helminths can coalesce and cause intestinal obstruction.
Parasites can also cause chronic cell damage, cancer, anemia or jaundice.
Signs of parasites in children
Symptoms for recognizing the presence of parasitic organisms in a child:
- violation of normal diet (lack of appetite, gluttony);
- increase in body temperature;
- allergic rash;
- malaise, weakness, nervousness;
- dark circles;
- pale skin;
- bowel problems (diarrhea with mucus or constipation);
- nausea and vomiting mostly in the morning.
Most parasites cannot leave the human body on their own. Therefore, if at least one of the above symptoms manifests, it is necessary to contact a local therapist or pediatrician, get tested for parasites and undergo treatment for helminths.
Diagnosis of invasive diseases
The diagnosis of invasive diseases includes the detection of parasites (pinworms, amoebae) and their reproductive products (larvae, eggs). A test for blood, feces, tissue scrapings, or sputum is pre-assigned. To study the samples, perform:
- histological examinations;
- immunological studies;
- blood macroscopy;
- vegetative resonance tests.
Tests for the presence of parasites in children
Before visiting a specialist, parents often wonder what tests should be done to identify parasites in a child and which method will give a more accurate result. Analysis of invasive diseases in children based on the location and type of parasite is prescribed.
Most commonly assigned:
- ELISA blood test;
- serological test;
- scraping or smearing by PCR method;
- blood test in adults and children.
Blood test is the most effective type of research and allows you to determine the exact picture of the disease, the type of helminth, as well as the ability to reproduce. It allows you to determine the presence of ascariasis, toxoplasma, cysticercosis, amoebae and lichens.
A type of such study is the ELISA blood test, which allows you to assess the content of certain antibodies in the plasma, allows you to determine the stage of infection, study the body's immune response to helminth effects and allows you to identify certain elements in the blood.
Advantages of ELISA research:
- accuracy of results, regardless of the qualifications and experience of the laboratory assistant;
- high sensitivity analysis, up to 90% accuracy;
- allows you to display a complete picture of the disease and the number of parasites;
- parasites are diagnosed at an early stage of development;
- ability to monitor disease dynamics;
- determination of the presence of toxic products in the blood.
In interpreting the results, the color of the reagent and the intensity of the hue of the sample are taken into account. The ratio of antibodies and parasitic antigens is measured by the level of IgM and IgG markers in the blood. High concentrations of IgM and IgG are maintained throughout the period of helminth presence.
If a blood test shows a high level of IgM, then the disease is acute. IgG antibodies indicate a chronic form of the disease.
Against blood tests to diagnose parasitic diseases:
- ELISA blood test results are obtained within 7 days, while scraping, smear and faecal samples are taken after 1-2 days;
- research must be conducted in a special laboratory for a fee.
It is recommended to give blood on an empty stomach, mainly in the first half of the day, it is desirable to exclude taking medication 12-15 hours before taking blood. Parents are advised to prepare their child in advance.
Stool analysis
Microscopic analysis of stool may be required for preliminary determination of helminths in the traditional way. During the study, the presence of parasite eggs in the fragment of feces is determined.
The most accurate result is the one shown in 3 tests during the week.
For the most accurate result, a stool fragment must be submitted to the laboratory for examination no later than 45 minutes after the stool.
During the study, parasites like:
- tapeworm;
- themes;
- round helminths.
This type of diagnostics, being quite simple, cannot be claimed to be 100% accurate. This is due to the fact that parasites that live in the human body may not lay eggs for long periods of time.