The most ancient parasites of mankind, perfectly arranged in the body, are worms. The 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 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 human bodies. The simplest are found on the hands, skin and inside the organs. Each of them chooses that part of the body for his vital activity, where the conditions are most favorable. Parasitic organisms are present in both adults and children. And the reasons for their appearance are various.
Types of classification
During the years of development of microorganisms their structure is simplified, the genitals are fixed, internal respiration is formed. Thanks to this, they can live and thrive 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: Giardia, Trichomonas, Toxoplasmosis.
- Ectoparasites.They live on the surface of the human body: lice, ticks.
- Worms.The group includes such parasitic creatures: roundworms, pinworms, echinococci, opisthorchiasis and many others.
By distribution location
There are parasites:
- Located everywhere.
- Located in a specific climate zone (tropical).
How they appear in the body
- Geochelminthosis.The group includes helminths that live in the human body. Gradually, for later life, they move to a non-living environment.
- Biohelminthosis.The peculiarity of the group lies in the fact 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, infecting other people.
Through concentration in the body
- Windows.Parasitic worms in the cavity live in the intestine or other luminal organ.
- Pay.This group includes parasitic creatures living in the human body.
By localization on the body
- External parasitic species (mites, lice).
- Internal helminths:
- roundworms (pinworms, roundworms);
- flatworms:
- methyls (opisthorchiasis, schistosomes);
- tapeworms (tapeworms, tapeworms);
- Bacteria that provoke bacteriosis.
- The simplest parasites.
- Fungi.
Parasites in children and adults and natural defenses
Parasitic infestations in children are more common than in adults. The localization of parasites in the child's body is especially dangerous. It is difficult to identify parasites at an early stage. 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 intoxication.
The protection of the adult organism from parasites is stronger. The first barrier to their neutralization are the enzymes that are found in the oral cavity in adults. 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 parasites in the human body
What signs of parasites in the body should you pay attention to? The symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body are closely related to the place of their localization, differing in variability. But the processes of their influence are always the same and interconnected:
- toxic effect;
- allergic reaction;
- protein-energy deficiency;
- vitamin deficiency;
- decreased immunity.
Parasitic diseases caused by parasitic worms go through several stages of development. The nature of the stage determines which signs of parasites appear in the body:
- Sharp.It is characterized by general intoxication, resulting in allergies. The allergic reaction is more pronounced in children. The following symptoms also join:
- fever;
- 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). Diseases of parasites become chronic and are characterized by impaired organ function:
- Intestinal damage leads to intestinal obstruction, colitis.
- Signs of hepatitis, cholecystitis predominate when they are localized in the bile ducts (often the concepts of acids and parasites become inseparable).
- There are parasitic worms such as trichinosis that can affect the cardiovascular system.
The appearance of a person is the main indicator of dysfunction of internal organs.
What is the effect on the human body?
Parasitic invasion of the human body is the cause of disorders of vital functions and deterioration of health. The risk group includes babies and the elderly. The amount, the place of their concentration, the period from the moment of infection and the general condition of the patient influence what kind of damage will be caused to the parasites.
Mechanical disorders
Having small suction cups on your body, parasites in humans can attach to the walls of any organ. This leads to tissue damage. In addition, pathogens actively grow, multiply and gather in a group, forming a whole lump. This leads to the formation of an obstruction in the organ. When parasitic creatures are large, this situation is doubly dangerous.
Reducing nutrients
Once in the human body, worms reduce the protective function of the human immune system. They feed on vitamins and nutrients that are 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. The person loses weight, during the examination a deficiency of vitamins can be established.
Toxic damage from parasites
Parasitic creatures not only live in organs, but also excrete waste products. These are dangerous poisons that poison the body. Organic parasites can disrupt 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, reduced immune defenses and nervous breakdowns.
Diagnostic methods
The known diagnostic method - stool analysis - is ineffective. Worm eggs are observed under a microscope. It is difficult to find them because they are postponed after a certain time, not every day. To find out about their presence, the stool should be taken for analysis within 3 weeks, several times. This is inconvenient, which is why modern medicine has improved diagnostic methods:
- Immunoassay.The efficiency of the method is about 90%. It is based on the ability of antibodies to change color. With the help of analysis it is possible to recognize the type, quantity, to trace the course of development of the disease with parasites.
- Chemoscan.Invasion detection is performed by a fairly new method. A blood test is done immediately after taking a finger sample.
- Computer diagnostics.Exposure to electromagnetic waves helps detect the presence of worms in organs and possible parasitic diseases.
- MRI of the abdomen.Allows you to identify outbreaks of parasitic localization.
Characteristics of the therapy
It is not difficult to know which doctor treats worm infestations. The number of parasitic protozoa and worms is quite large, and there are enough methods of treatment and specialists for therapy. The treatment of parasites is performed by therapists, parasitologists. Worm control involves a set of measures carried out according to the scheme, taking into account the individual factors of the patient. What drugs are used more often and for what types of parasites?
Drug treatment
First, the body must be prepared for treatment against parasites. Special agents bind all the harmful secretions of parasitic organisms and remove them naturally. Then they start antiparasitic therapy. As a rule, any drug in the public domain is available in a pharmacy. Medicines are more often produced in the form of tablets, but there are suspensions, creams, suppositories.
Treatment is not recommended. The drug is selected by a specialist based on test results and other factors.
After a course of medication, the patient should undergo multiple tests.
Folk remedies therapy
Treatment of parasites with drugs is toxic. A safe way to deal with invasions at home is treatment with folk remedies. You can recover at home with:
- 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, insisting for 10 days. Drink 1 tbsp per day.
How to avoid infection?
Fighting parasites is difficult. Parasite treatment does not always work the first time. Following the basic rules will help to avoid infection with parasites, to prevent all diseases:
- Mandatory hand washing before eating, after going to the toilet.
- Complete processing of fish and meat.
- Observance of 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 about any hygiene rule, it is important to take antiparasitic medication for prevention. Only a specialist can appoint him. Remember that self-medication is dangerous. It can make prevention a big problem.