The oldest parasites of humanity, perfectly established in the body, are worms. Symptoms of parasites in the human body do not always appear in the initial stage of infection. Sometimes they are similar to the clinical manifestations of other diseases. These are important factors for every adult to remember.
General information
It is difficult to imagine where they come from when parasites appear in the human body and how easily they adapt in human bodies. The simplest are found in the hands, on the skin, and inside the organs. Each of them chooses for their vital activity that part of the body where the conditions are most favorable. Parasitic organisms are present in both adults and children. And the reasons for its appearance are varied.
Classification types
Over the years of development of microorganisms, their structure has been simplified, the fixing organs and genitals, internal respiration has been formed. Thanks to this, they can live and develop without oxygen. Parasitic organisms that cause a pathological condition are divided into three main groups:
- The simplest.The group includes a large number of creatures, but common: lamblia, Trichomonas, toxoplasmosis.
- Ectoparasites.They live on the surface of the human body: lice, ticks.
- Worms.The group includes such parasitic creatures: roundworms, pinworms, echinococci, opisthorchis and many others.
Based on distribution location
There are parasites:
- Found everywhere (ubiquitous).
- It is located in a specific climate zone (tropical).
How they appear in the body
- Geohelminthiasis.The group includes helminths that live in the human body. Gradually, for later life, they move into a lifeless environment.
- Biohelminthiasis.The peculiarity of the group is that the worm develops outside the human body, but man is the ultimate host of the parasitic individual.
- Contact helminthiasis.They develop in the human body, are secreted by mature individuals, and infect other people.
By concentration in the body
- Skylights.Parasitic cavity worms live in the intestine or other luminal organ.
- Fabric.This group includes parasitic creatures that live in the human body.
By location in the body
- External parasitic individuals (ticks, lice).
- Internal helminths:
- roundworms (roundworms, roundworms);
- flatworms:
- trematodes (opisthorchis, schistosomes);
- tapeworms (tapeworms, tapeworms);
- Bacteria that cause bacteriosis.
- The simplest parasites.
- Mushrooms.
Parasites in children and adults and natural defenses
Parasitic infestations in the body of a child are more common than in an adult. The localization of parasites in the body of a child is especially dangerous. In 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 products increases, causing poisoning.
The defense of an adult organism against parasites is stronger. The first barrier to detoxify them are the enzymes found in the oral cavity of adults. The next test is stomach acid. And intestinal immunity can completely destroy any 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 to 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 its influence are always the same and interconnected:
- toxic effect;
- allergic reaction;
- protein-energy deficiency;
- vitamin deficiency;
- reduced immunity.
Parasitic diseases caused by parasitic worms go through various stages of development. The nature of the stage depends on the first signs of parasites in the body:
- Sharpening.It is characterized by general intoxication, as a result, allergies. The allergic reaction is more pronounced in children. The following symptoms are also added:
- 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 organic dysfunction:
- The defeat of the intestines leads to intestinal obstruction, colitis.
- Signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis prevail when localized in the biliary tract (often the concepts of heartburn and parasites become inseparable).
- There are parasitic worms such as 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 into the human body is the cause of disorders of vital functions and deterioration of health. The risk group includes infants and the elderly. The amount, the place of its concentration, the period of time from the moment of infection and the general condition of the patient affect the type of damage that will be caused to a person.
Mechanical Violations
By having small suction cups on the body, a person's parasites can adhere to the walls of any organ. This leads to tissue damage. Also, pathogens actively grow, multiply and gather in a group, forming a complete lump. This leads to the formation of obstructions in the organ. When the parasitic creatures are large, this situation is doubly dangerous.
Decreased nutrients
Once in human organs, worms reduce the protective function of human immunity. They feed on vitamins and nutrients essential for human health. Being in a favorable environment for their existence, they increase in size and quantity. They need more and more vitamins and nutrients for life. A person is losing weight, during the examination, a vitamin deficiency can be detected.
Toxic parasite damage
Parasitic creatures not only live on organs, but also secrete waste products. These are dangerous poisons that poison the body. Organic parasites can alter the regulation of protein metabolism. And this substance is an important structural component of cells and tissues. The traces of parasites in humans are immediately manifested by allergic reactions, a decrease in immune defenses and nervous attacks.
Diagnostic methods
The known diagnostic method, stool analysis, is ineffective. Worm eggs are observed under a microscope. They are difficult to find, as they are postponed after a certain time, not every day. To know its presence, the stool must be taken for analysis within 3 weeks, several times. This is a drawback, which is why more advanced diagnostic methods have appeared in modern medicine:
- Immunoassay.The efficiency of the method is approximately 90%. It is based on the ability of antibodies to change color. With the help of analysis, it is possible to recognize the type, the amount, to trace the course of the development of the disease with parasites.
- Hemoscanning.Invasion detection is carried out by a fairly new method. A blood test is done immediately after taking a fingerstick sample.
- Computer diagnostics.Exposure to electromagnetic waves helps to identify the presence of worms in the organs and possible parasitic diseases.
- MRI of the abdomen.Allows you to identify sources of parasitic localization.
Characteristics of the therapy
It is not difficult to understand which doctor treats helminth infestations. The number of parasitic protozoa and worms is quite large, there are also enough treatment methods 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 medications are used most often and for what types of parasites?
Drug treatment
First, the body needs to be prepared for treatment against parasites. The special agents bind all the harmful secretions of the parasitic organisms and remove them naturally. Then they start antiparasitic therapy. As a general rule, all drugs in the public domain are offered at a pharmacy. Medicines are most often produced in the form of tablets, but there are suspensions, creams, suppositories.
Self-treatment is not recommended. The drug is selected by a specialist, based on the results of the analyzes and other factors.
After a course of drug treatment, the patient must undergo repeated tests.
Home remedies therapy
The treatment of parasites with drugs is toxic. A sure way to deal with home invasions is treatment with home 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 quantities, the plants are poured with vodka, they insisted for 10 days. Drink 1 tablespoon. l per day.
How to avoid infection?
Fighting parasites is tough. Treatment for parasites does not always work the first time. Compliance with the basic rules will help to avoid infection with parasites, to prevent all diseases:
- Mandatory hand washing before eating, after using the bathroom.
- Thorough processing of fish and meat.
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (especially among girls).
It should be understood that it is quite difficult to avoid parasites by constantly being in public places. Therefore, once a year, not forgetting all the hygiene rules, it is important to drink an antiparasitic drug for preventive purposes. Only a specialist can appoint it. Remember, self-medication is dangerous. It can make prevention a big problem.