Parasites are microorganisms that survive by feeding on their host's organism. Living in the human body, they cause serious health problems and, as a result of their reproduction, can be fatal.
Parasitic organisms are generally classified into two types:
- Zooparasites, including parasitic worms (helminths, flatworms), arachnids, ticks, mollusks, etc.
- Phytoparasites are parasitic plants, viruses, pathogenic fungi, etc.
Furthermore, 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 cannot fully protect itself from infection by parasites, but if you conduct an analysis for parasites in time, you can prevent their reproduction and get rid of them without causing serious harm to health.
Symptoms that indicate the presence of parasites in the human body
Parasites enter the human body through natural openings such as the mouth, genitals, and anus. Less commonly, helminths penetrate through the skin, the genitourinary system, or the ears.
The causative agents of the disease can be transmitted with food and water (most helminths), through body contact with an infected person (pinworms), through the soil, by air or dust (wormsintestinal).
Most of the time, invasive diseases are asymptomatic and do not show 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 the correct 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;
- difficulty in defecation and constipation;
- teeth grinding during sleep;
- low efficiency, constant fatigue;
- increased nervousness;
- insomnia;
- cracked heels;
- shortness of breath;
- alteration of the digestive tract;
- strong weight fluctuations;
- fragility of nail plates;
- itchy anus.
Tumor neoplasms
Keep in mind that parasitic diseases can cause serious problems. For example, large numbers of helminths can join together 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;
- bad mood, weakness, nervousness;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- pale skin;
- intestinal problems (diarrhea with mucus or constipation);
- nausea and vomiting mainly in the morning.
Most parasites cannot leave the human body on their own. Therefore, if at least one of the above symptoms manifests, it is imperative to contact a local therapist or pediatrician, get a parasite test, and undergo helminth treatment.
Diagnosis of invasive diseases
The diagnosis of invasive diseases involves the detection of parasites (pinworms, amoebae) and their reproductive products (larvae, eggs). A blood test, stool, tissue scraping or sputum test is pre-assigned. To study samples, do:
- histological examinations;
- immunological studies;
- blood macroscopy;
- vegetative resonance tests.
Tests to detect the presence of parasites in children
Before visiting a specialist, parents often wonder what tests should be performed to identify parasites in a child and which method will give a more accurate result. An analysis of invasive diseases in children is prescribed depending on the location and type of parasites.
Most frequently assigned:
- ELISA blood test;
- serological test;
- scraping or smear by PCR method;
- blood tests in adults and children.
A blood test is the most effective type of investigation and allows you to determine the exact picture of the disease, the type of helminth and the ability to reproduce. It allows you to determine the presence of ascariasis, toxoplasma, cysticercosis, amoebae, and lichen.
A type of study of this type is an ELISA blood test, which allows you to evaluate the content of certain antibodies in the plasma, allows to determine the stage of infection, to study the body's immune response to the effects of helminthsand allows you to identify specific elements in the blood.
Advantages of ELISA research:
- the accuracy of the result, regardless of the qualifications and experience of the lab assistant;
- high sensitivity of analysis, up to 90% precision;
- allows you to show a complete picture of the disease and the number of parasites;
- Parasites are diagnosed at an early stage of development;
- the ability to monitor the dynamics of the disease;
- determination of the presence of toxic products in the blood.
When interpreting the result, the color of the reagent and the intensity of the sample tone are taken into account. The ratio of antibodies to antigens of the parasite is measured by the level of IgM and IgG markers in the blood. A high concentration of IgM and IgG is maintained throughout the entire period of helminth presence.
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 the diagnosis of parasitic diseases:
- ELISA blood test results are obtained within 7 days, while scrape, smear and stool samples are obtained after 1-2 days;
- Research must be done in a special laboratory 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 the taking of medications 12-15 hours before taking blood samples. Parents are advised to prepare their children in advance.
Stool analysis
Microscopic analysis of stool may be required for preliminary determination of helminths in the traditional way. During the study, the presence of parasite eggs is determined in a piece of stool.
The most accurate result is the one shown in 3 tests during the week.
For the most accurate result, a piece of stool should be sent to a laboratory for examination no later than 45 minutes after a bowel movement.
During the study, parasites such as:
- tapeworm;
- themes;
- round helminths.
This type of diagnosis, being fairly straightforward, cannot 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.