Parasites are microorganisms that survive by feeding on their host organism. Living in the human body, they cause serious health problems and as a result of their reproduction, they can be fatal.
Parasitic organisms are usually 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, which lead a parasitic lifestyle at the expense of a foreign organism, can be classified as parasites.
Unfortunately, even modern society is not able to fully protect itself from parasite infection, but if you perform an analysis for parasites in time, you can avoid their reproduction and get rid of them without serious damage to health. .
Symptoms indicating 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. Less often, helminths penetrate through the skin, genitourinary system or ears.
Disease-causing agents can be transmitted through food and water (most helminths), through bodily contact with an infected person (peg worms), through soil, air, or dust (roundworms).
Most often, invasive diseases are asymptomatic, indicating their presence to me in any way. But with excessive reproduction, signs of various diseases appear, which usually do not indicate the presence of parasites, which significantly complicates treatment due to the inability to make an accurate 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 rashes;
- difficult bowel movements and constipation;
- gnashing of teeth during sleep;
- low efficiency, constant fatigue;
- increases nervousness;
- insomnia;
- cracked heels;
- gulçim;
- digestive tract disruption;
- sharp fluctuations 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, large numbers 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 to identify the presence of parasitic organisms in a child:
- violation of the usual diet (lack of appetite, gluttony);
- increase in body temperature;
- allergic rash;
- mood, weakness, irritability;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- pale skin;
- bowel problems (diarrhea with mucus or constipation);
- nausea and vomiting mostly in the morning.
Most parasites are unable to leave the human body on their own. Therefore, if at least one of the above symptoms manifests itself, it is imperative to contact a local therapist or pediatrician, get tested for parasites, and undergo treatment for helminths.
Diagnosis of invasive diseases
Diagnosis of invasive diseases involves the detection of parasites (worms, amoebae) and their reproductive products (larvae, eggs). The test is a pre-arranged blood test, feces, tissue scrapers or sputum. 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 ask what tests should be done to identify parasites in a child and which method will give a more accurate result. An analysis for invasive diseases in children is described based on the location and type of parasites.
Most often assigned:
- blood test by ELISA;
- serological test;
- scratching or staining by PCR method;
- blood test in adults and children.
A blood test is the most effective type of research and allows you to determine the exact appearance of the disease, the type of helminth, and the ability to reproduce. Allows you to determine the presence of ascariasis, toxoplasma, cysticercosis, amoeba and lichen.
One type of such study is an ELISA blood test, which allows you to assess the content of certain antibodies in the plasma, make it possible to determine the stage of infection, study the body's immune response to the effects of helminths, andallows you to identify specific elements in the blood.
ELISA research pros:
- accuracy of the result, regardless of the qualifications and experience of the laboratory assistant;
- high sensitivity of analysis, up to 90% accuracy;
- allows you to show 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;
- determining the presence of toxic products in the blood.
When interpreting the result, the color of the reagent and the intensity of the shadow of the sample are taken into account. The ratio of antibodies to parasitic antigens is measured by the level of IgM and IgG markers in the blood. A high concentration of IgM and IgG is maintained throughout the period of presence of helminths.
If the blood test shows a high level of IgM, then the disease is acute. IgG antibodies speak of a chronic form of the disease.
Cons of blood tests for diagnosing parasitic diseases:
- blood test results from ELISA are obtained within 7 days, while samples of scratches, stains and feces are taken after 1-2 days;
- the search must be performed in a separate lab for a fee.
It is recommended to donate blood on an empty stomach, mainly in the first half of the day, it is advisable to exclude taking medication 12-15 hours before blood collection. Parents are advised to prepare their child in advance.
Stool analysis
Microscopic analysis of feces may be necessary for the preliminary determination of helminths in the traditional way. During the study, the presence of parasite eggs in a 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 should be submitted for examination to a laboratory no later than 45 minutes after a bowel movement.
During the study, parasites such as:
- ribbon;
- themes;
- round helmets.
This type of diagnosis, being fairly easy, can not claim to be 100% accurate. This is due to the fact that parasites that live in the human body may not lay eggs for a long period of time.