The oldest parasites of humanity, perfectly installed in the body, are worms. Symptoms of parasites in the human body do not always appear at the initial stage of infection. Sometimes they are similar to the clinical manifestations of other diseases. These are important factors that every adult should remember.
General information
It is difficult to imagine where they come from when parasites appear in the human body, and how easily they adapt to the human body. The simplest are found on the hands, on the skin and inside organs. Each of them chooses this part of the body for its vital activity, where the conditions are the most favorable. Parasitic organisms are present in both adults and children. And the reasons for their appearance are varied.
Classification types
Over the years of development of microorganisms, their structure was simplified, attachment and genitals, internal respiration were formed. Thanks to this, they can live and develop without oxygen. Parasitic organisms causing a disease state are divided into three main groups:
- The simplest.The group includes a large number of creatures, but common: lamblia, Trichomonas, toxoplasmosis.
- Ectoparasites.Live on the surface of the human body: lice, ticks.
- Vers.The group includes such parasitic creatures: roundworms, pinworms, echinococci, opisthorchis and many others.
Depending on the distribution location
There are parasites:
- Found everywhere (ubiquitous).
- Found in a specific climate zone (tropical).
How they appear in the body
- Soil-transmitted helminthiasis.The group includes helminths that live in the human body. Gradually, for later in life, they settle in a non-living environment.
- Biohelminthiasis.The peculiarity of the group is that the worm grows outside the human body, but the person is the ultimate host of the parasitic individual.
- Contact helminthiasis.They develop in the human body, are secreted by mature individuals, infecting other people.
By concentration in the body
- Skylight.Parasitic cavity worms live in the intestine or other luminal organ.
- Fabric.This group includes parasitic creatures that live on the human body.
By localization on the body
- External parasitic species (mites, lice).
- Internal helminths:
- roundworms (pinworms, roundworms);
- flatworms:
- moat (opisthorchis, schistosomes);
- tapeworms (tapeworms, tapeworms);
- Bacteria which cause bacteriosis.
- The simplest parasites.
- Fungal.
Parasites in children and adults and natural defenses
Parasitic infestations in the body of a child are more common than in an adult. Especially dangerous is the localization of parasites in the body of a child. At the initial stage, it is difficult to identify the parasites. Children's immune defenses are severely weakened. Weak immunity increases the rate of development of helminths, developing parasitic diseases. The amount of waste increases, causing poisoning.
The defense of an adult organism against parasites is stronger. The enzymes present in the oral cavity in adults are the first obstacle to their detoxification. The next test is stomach acid. And intestinal immunity is able to completely destroy all parasites in the body. It is these forms of protection that are not enough for a sick person and a baby.
Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human body
What signs of parasites in the body should you watch out for? Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body are closely related to the place of their localization, differ in variability. But the processes of their influence are always the same and interconnected:
- toxic effect;
- allergic reaction;
- protein energy deficit;
- vitamin deficiency;
- decreased immunity.
Parasitic diseases caused by parasitic worms go through several stages of development. The nature of the stage depends on the first signs of parasites in the body:
- Sharp.It is characterized by general intoxication, therefore, allergies. The allergic reaction is more pronounced in children. The following symptoms are also joined:
- increase in body temperature;
- muscle pain;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- digestive disorders;
- irritability;
- inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract;
- weight loss;
- damage to the nervous system (depression, irritability).
- Chronic(associated with organ damage). Parasitic diseases become chronic and are characterized by organ dysfunction:
- The defeat of the intestines leads to intestinal obstruction, colitis.
- Signs of hepatitis, cholecystitis prevails when localized in the bile ducts (often the concepts of heartburn and parasites become inseparable).
- There are parasitic worms like trichinosis, which can affect the cardiovascular system.
The appearance of a person is the main indicator of a violation of the proper functioning of internal organs.
What is the effect on the human body?
Parasitic invasion in the human body causes disturbances of vital functions and deterioration of health. The risk group includes babies and the elderly. The amount, place of their concentration, the period of time from the moment of infection and the general condition of the patient affect the type of harm that will be caused to a person.
Mechanical violations
Having small suction cups on their body, parasites in a person can attach themselves to the walls of any organ. This leads to tissue damage. In addition, pathogens grow, multiply and actively gather in a group, forming a whole mass. This leads to the formation of an obstruction in the organ. When parasitic creatures are large, this situation is doubly dangerous.
Decreased nutrients
Once in human organs, the worms reduce the protective function of human immunity. They feed on vitamins and nutrients essential for human health. Being in an environment favorable to their existence, they increase in size and quantity. They need more and more vitamins and nutrients to survive. A person loses weight, during the examination, vitamin deficiency can be detected.
Toxic damage caused by parasites
Parasitic creatures not only live in organs, but also secrete wastes. These are dangerous poisons that poison the body. Organic parasites can interfere with the regulation of protein metabolism. And this substance is an important structural component of cells and tissues. Traces of parasites in humans are immediately manifested by allergic reactions, a decrease in immune defenses and nervous breakdowns.
Diagnostic methods
The known diagnostic method - stool analysis - is ineffective. Worm eggs are examined under a microscope. It is difficult to find them because they are postponed after a while, not every day. To know their presence, the feces must be analyzed within 3 weeks, several times. This is impractical, which is why more advanced diagnostic methods have appeared in modern medicine:
- Immunoassay.The efficiency of the method is around 90%. It is based on the ability of antibodies to change color. With the help of the analysis, it is possible to recognize the type, amount, to follow the course of the development of the disease with parasites.
- Hemoscanning.Detection of invasions is carried out by a relatively new method. A blood test is done immediately after taking a sample from your finger.
- Computer diagnostics.Exposure to electromagnetic waves can identify the presence of worms in organs and possible parasitic diseases.
- MRI of the abdomen.Used to identify the foci of parasitic localization.
Characteristics of therapy
It is not difficult to understand which doctor treats helminthic infestations. The number of protozoa and parasitic worms is quite large, there are also enough methods of treatment and specialists for therapy. Treatment of parasites is carried out by therapists, parasitologists. The fight against worms includes a set of measures, carried out according to the scheme, taking into account the individual factors of the patient. What drugs are used most often and for what types of parasites?
Drug treatment
First of all, the body must be prepared for treatment against parasites. Special agents bind all harmful secretions of parasitic organisms and remove them naturally. Then they start antiparasitic therapy. As a rule, all drugs in the public domain are offered in a pharmacy. Medicines are more often produced in the form of tablets, but there are suspensions, creams, suppositories.
It is not recommended to have fun. The drug is selected by a specialist based on the results of tests and other factors.
After drug treatment, the patient should undergo repeated tests.
Therapy with folk remedies
Treatment of parasites with drugs is toxic. A safe way to cope with invasions at home is treatment with folk remedies. You can recover at home with the help of:
- Pumpkin seeds, honey and jam. The agent is taken on an empty stomach, in small portions.
- Onions and boiled water. Insist 10 hours, drink 100 ml for 4 days.
- Horseradish and garlic. In equal amounts, the plants are poured with vodka, insisted for 10 days. Drink 1 tbsp. l per day.
How to avoid infection?
Fighting pests is difficult. Treatment for parasites does not always work the first time. Compliance with basic rules will help to avoid parasitic infections, prevent all diseases:
- Mandatory hand washing before eating, after using the toilet.
- Careful processing of fish and meat.
- Respect for personal hygiene rules (especially for girls).
You have to understand that it is quite difficult to avoid pests by being constantly in public places. Therefore, once a year, without forgetting all the rules of hygiene, it is important to drink an antiparasitic drug as a preventive measure. Only a specialist can name it. Remember that self-medication is dangerous. This can turn prevention into a big problem.