According to the World Health Organization, around 4. 5 billion people are infected with one type or another of parasites. In this case, most of the time it is not clear that an "agreement" has occurred. Signs of parasites are not always obvious; Sometimes they are similar to the symptoms of other diseases, from which they can be differentiated by different examination methods.
Types of parasites and places of their location in the body.
Currently many types of parasites have been discovered. Some of them can be found quite frequently in the body.
pinworms
Quite common in young children and adolescents. They live in the large intestine. Its length does not exceed 1-1. 5 cm. Their peculiarity is that, living in the folds of the large intestine, they lay eggs in underwear and in the folds of the skin. The maturation of the egg occurs in 6 hours. In this case, the child feels intense itching, grinds his teeth in sleep, eats little and gets tired quickly. This parasite can enter a child's body through dirty hands, toys, toilet seats, dishes, and other children's underwear.
toxocares
The carriers of this parasite are domestic animals: dogs and cats. In its body it reaches 30 cm. Toxocara eggs can survive for quite a long time in soil and sand. From there they reach through human hands and can also adhere to clothing and shoes. After that, they enter the body, where they spread through the vessels and internal organs, but are not carried out.
roundworms
This pathogenic organism is the most common; It is found annually in 100 million people. It spreads through food, soil, water and dirty hands. The parasite reaches a length of 40 cm. The female lays up to 200 thousand eggs each day. They will end up in the soil, where they can persist for many years. If the penetration of parasites occurs through food, they penetrate the intestines, spread through the bloodstream through capillaries, to the liver, brain, lungs and eyes, and constantly multiply. Nematodes feed on red blood cells and nutrients that come from human diet. As a result, a person often develops various types of anemia, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system and allergic reactions occur. When nematodes penetrate the respiratory tract to the deepest layers of the skin and lungs, diseases such as bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, arthritis, seizures, fever and other symptoms similar to bronchitis or pneumonia develop. If the lungs are affected by intestinal worms, the following are possible: rupture of pulmonary vessels, hemoptysis and other unpleasant symptoms reminiscent of tuberculosis.
Often the location of sites of parasitic damage is the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and kidneys, which causes disturbances in the normal functioning of these organs. In particularly difficult cases, the following may occur: intestinal obstruction, purulent processes.
had wide
This type of parasite can reach 10 m in length. In the patient's body it is in a twisted state. Its nutrition comes from the nutrients consumed by humans. As a result, a person experiences exhaustion of the body, iron deficiency anemia, nausea, morning vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of strength and drowsiness.
Infection with this type of parasite occurs most frequently through raw fish.
Bovine tapeworm (sow)
Tapeworm infection occurs through raw or undercooked meat products. The length of this parasite reaches 2 to 7 meters. It can live in the human body for up to 20 years. The main danger of this parasite is that it can infect the brain and eyes.
echinococcus
Infection with this type of parasite occurs from infected animals, contaminated fruits or berries from the soil and through water. The larvae of the parasites penetrate the body and spread through the bloodstream, affecting various internal organs: kidneys, liver, brain, as well as the lymphatic and skeletal systems. Additionally, echinococcus larvae can degenerate into cysts and grow to such a size that they compress nearby internal organs. Symptoms depend mainly on the location of the parasites.
General symptoms of the pathological condition.
There are many common signs of this pathology, but each of them may or may not appear depending on the location and type of parasite.
- intestinal and gastric upset syndrome;
- dysbacteriosis;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- stagnation of bile;
- weight change;
- problem skin;
- allergy;
- pain in joints, muscles;
- anemia;
- decreased immunity;
- avitaminosis;
- sleep disturbance, nervousness;
- chronic fatigue;
- oncology.
An upset stomach is one of the signs of parasites.
Intestinal or stomach upset
Many types of parasites are found in the upper or lower part of the intestine, which causes inflammation of this area, alteration of its function and swelling. In this case, the absorption of nutrients decreases. If the parasites are in the upper part of the intestine, the fats are not broken down, but enter the lower sections, causing spasms, alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Additionally, this symptom is usually accompanied by:
- pain in the epigastric region;
- pain on the left and right side under the ribs;
- nausea, heartburn;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- dysbacteriosis;
- intestinal/biliary colic.
If the digestive tract does not function properly, other accompanying symptoms are also observed that affect the condition of the skin:
- rashes of various types (acne, pimples);
- pigmentation;
- decreased tone, frequent wrinkle formation;
- dehydration, dry skin;
- change in complexion: sallow and dull tone.
stagnation of bile
Parasites located in the bile ducts or nearby organs, due to their large size, can obstruct the ducts of the bile ducts, which creates obstruction of the common bile duct and difficulty in the outflow of bile, causing obstructive jaundice.
This problem also negatively affects the condition of the skin.
weight change
The change in body weight can be up or down. This is a consequence of a parasitic disease. Weight reduction occurs due to the consumption of nutrients by the "subcolonist". Obesity is also due to the parasite consuming everything a person eats, giving them a false sense of hunger. The feeling of dissatisfaction also occurs due to the fact that helminths poison the body of the "host" with their feces and a drop in blood sugar occurs.
Changes in body weight are a possible sign of parasites
Pain in muscles and joints.
Parasites look for the most convenient place for themselves and sometimes "settle" in joints or muscles. As a result, tissue damage or an immune reaction to its presence in the body occurs. This causes a person to experience muscle or joint pain.
Allergy
Parasites disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, as a result of which undigested pieces of food enter the lower intestine. The immune system reacts by activating the body's protective cells, eosinophils, which contribute to the development of an allergic reaction. Parasites also contribute to increased secretion of immunoglobulin E, which also contributes to an increased allergic reaction.
Decreased immunity
The presence of a parasite in the body impairs immunity. It decreases the synthesis of immunoglobulin A, which also maintains the level of immunity. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to the negative influence of various bacteria and viruses.
Therefore, patients often get colds, viral diseases and other diseases.
Sleep disturbances, nervousness.
Toxic secretions of parasites negatively affect the functioning of the central nervous system, cause constant nervousness and worsen the quality of sleep. Patients usually experience nocturnal awakenings between 2 and 3 in the morning, caused by the body's "desire" to get rid of toxic substances secreted by parasites through the liver.
If the brain is damaged by parasite larvae, the following signs are possible:
- difficulty reading;
- hyperactivity;
- attention disorder.
Sleep disturbance is a possible symptom of the presence of parasites in the body.
Constant lack of sleep, nervousness and anxiety negatively affect the state of the entire body, including the skin.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Its signs include:
- general weakness;
- decrease or increase in body temperature for no reason;
- emotional instability;
- depression;
- apathy towards all aspects of life;
- altered concentration;
- bad memory;
- distraction;
- rapid fatigue with minimal physical activity.
These symptoms can also be caused by other diseases that are caused by the presence of parasites.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosing the presence of parasites is quite difficult, especially in the first period after their "invasion". Previously, the most effective methods were stool analysis and duodenal intubation. These studies allowed us to determine the presence of parasite fragments, their eggs and larvae. But these methods did not always give reliable results. Currently, tests are carried out that help determine the presence of parasites with almost 100% guarantee.
- stool analysis (at least 3 times);
- ELISA tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- serological examination methods;
- computed tomography;
- PCR diagnosis, which involves the analysis of parasites using DNA analysis;
- endobiopsy.
If there are signs of parasites, a stool test is prescribed.
These research methods not only help to determine the presence of parasites, but also to identify various diseases and disorders in the functioning of systems and organs, as well as to assess the state of internal organs.
If there are several signs of parasitic damage, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe all the necessary tests. In this way, it will be possible to detect the "settler" in time and protect yourself from its negative effects on the body.
Frequently asked questions
What signs indicate the presence of parasites in the body?
Signs of parasites may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, digestive problems, and other nonspecific symptoms.
What types of parasites can live in the human body?
Parasites living in the human body can be diverse, including helminths (roundworms and flatworms), protozoa, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
Stool analysis, blood tests, molecular diagnostic methods, ultrasound and other methods can be used to diagnose parasites in the body, depending on the type of parasites and their habitat.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to weight and appetite changes in you and your pets, as these may be signs of parasites.
Tip #2
Learn about the different types of parasites such as intestinal worms, flatworms, mites, lice, etc. so you can be prepared for possible infections.
Tip #3
Make regular visits to your doctor and veterinarian for checkups and parasite testing, especially if you travel or live in areas with high infestation rates.