The problem of infection with parasites is not sufficiently covered in society, so a person begins to be interested in the question of how to identify parasites in the body, only after the worms have already caused serious harm to health.
People are used to not noticing the problem that has arisen until the effects of helminths begin to affect their well-being.
In order to start treatment in a timely manner, it is important to know how to determine the presence of parasites in the body - it is about the symptoms of helminthiasis that we will talk about in the article.
Parasites, their types
Parasites are lower life forms that exist at the expense of the host organism. They can exist on the surface of the skin, affect internal organs, tissues, mucous membranes.
Consuming nutrients entering the host's body, protozoa poison the human body with the products of their vital activity.
Depending on the location, there are several main types of parasites:
- endoparasites exist inside the human body (echinococcus, lamblia, toxoplasma, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi);
- ectoparasites live on the surface of the body, they can exist in the external environment. Their vital activity is based on the absorption of blood and tissue cells of the host's body. This group includes lice, fleas, ticks, bedbugs.
Most often, pinworms, ascaris, pork tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, lamblia, alveococcus, echinococcus, wide tapeworm are found from worms.
The adult body, together with all functional systems, is able to prevent some attacks from parasites.
In the oral cavity, together with saliva, enzymes are produced that are fatal to the eggs of worms. The acidic environment of the stomach also serves as a protective system.
The next barrier of protection - for especially persistent representatives of helminths - is the immune system.
However, in the immature body of children, protective barriers may not work, which can lead to infection with parasites.
In the process of evolution, endoparasites have learned to survive in incredible conditions, adapt to any changes and destroy the body asymptomatically, practically without giving out their presence.
According to studies, it can take several months or even years from the moment of infection until the first signs of helminthiasis appear.
To detect an infection at an early stage, you need to know how to identify parasites in the human body.
You should carefully monitor the changes in your own body and its signals in order to timely notice the symptoms of intoxication with the waste products of helminths and to identify whether there are parasites in the body.
Signs of worm infestation
The presence of parasites in the body always affects the state of human health. But the signs indicating the defeat of the protozoa are similar to the symptoms of common ailments.
To find out whether parasites are present in the body, a medical examination will allow.
There are the following groups of signs indicating the infection of the organism:
- intoxication of the body;
- damage to the nervous system;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- skin problems.
Systematic exposure to toxic substances produced by parasites can lead to headaches, weakness, nausea, and increased fatigue.
There is a slight increase in temperature to 37. 5 for no apparent reason. The work of the immune system is disrupted, which is a consequence of the occurrence of colds, intestinal disorders, allergies.
A clear sign of parasite infestation is an unreasonable loss of weight due to the body's struggle with worms for nutrients.
Children are most susceptible to this symptom. If the child has dramatically lost weight in the usual way of life, then it is urgent to check whether the child has helminthiasis.
As a result of prolonged poisoning with worm toxins, nervousness, depressive states, and irritability occur.
Sleep disturbance can be triggered, especially in the middle of the night. At this time, according to human biorhythms, the liver is most active, and an unreasonable awakening may be the result of the body's attempts to get rid of toxic substances.
According to some sources, the reaction of the nervous system to parasitic intervention is bruxism - teeth grinding during sleep. Many consider this a sign of the presence of parasites in a child, which has not been scientifically confirmed.
The presence of parasites has a negative impact on the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. Worms act on the intestinal wall, causing irritation and inflammation.
As a result, the absorption of nutrient and fatty compounds is reduced. Moving to the large intestine, the worms cause cramping pains. During their vital activity, many types of parasites secrete specific substances that cause diarrhea.
Worms have different shapes and sizes, so they can be the reason for blocking some organs, bile and intestinal ducts, which leads to constipation.
Located in the small intestine, parasitic creatures cause flatulence, bloating, and inflammation. Frequent bloating indicates the presence of microorganisms in the system.
Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, in turn, leads to changes in the skin: acne, acne, spots of unknown origin, baldness, papillomas, dermatitis.
Often parasites are the cause of allergic reactions: urticaria, rash, eczema. This is due to the fact that the worms produce a poison that activates the immune system, which leads to a response from the body.
If you notice several of the changes listed above in yourself or your child, you should immediately consult a doctor to get tested for parasites.
A qualified parasitologist will conduct an understandable and accessible instruction (explain how to be checked, what tests to take), and, based on the results of the tests, will prescribe treatment.
Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of helminthiasis
In the human body, parasites, their larvae and eggs can be located in different organs. The ability to move within the body and, as a result, to be in every system of the body, makes the identification of helminthiasis difficult.
At an early stage, parasites can be detected in no more than 15% of patients from the total number of infected.
How to find out if there are helminths in the body? In order to detect all clinical forms of parasites, complex studies are being carried out, combining various methods.
To detect worms in the process of laboratory research, the following biological materials are used:
- feces;
- bile;
- urine;
- sputum;
- blood;
- muscle;
- perianal and rectal mucus.
The traditional method by which you can check a child or adult for the presence of protozoa is the study of the patient's feces.
To do this, you must pass the appropriate analysis. This proven method allows you to determine the presence of bodies, larvae and eggs of protozoa, to reveal their type.
The immunological method consists in a blood test that detects antigens and antibodies to certain types of microorganisms.
Antigens are directly represented by parasites and toxins produced by them, and antibodies (immunoglobulins) are produced against antigens in human blood.
This method is informative, with its help more than 90% of the species of parasitic microorganisms can be detected.
As a result of a blood test, it is possible to recognize the parasitic organism and find out the dynamics of the development of the disease.
The serological method is used in the acute stage of the disease. For this analysis, you must donate blood.
Biofluid will serve as a material in which antibodies to a certain type of parasite can be found.
This method is often used in combination with X-ray, ultrasound and endoscopic examinations.
You can check the body for the presence of parasites through PCR diagnostics. The method makes it possible to detect a specific parasitic organism through specific DNA analysis.
With the help of PCR diagnostics, one can both detect parasites in the test material and project the subsequent development of the disease.
Less commonly in modern medicine, parasites are detected using bioresonance studies, histological coprograms, hemoscanning, and electroacupuncture.
Every year, new and existing and studied diagnostic methods are being developed and improved. This allows you to identify parasites at a stage when the worms have not yet caused changes in the work of the body.
Modern medicine recommends prophylaxis of parasite infestation 2 times a year. There are many pharmaceuticals for this.
Before using medications, you should consult a doctor, since antihelminthic agents are toxic not only to helminths, but also to the human body.