The problem of parasitic infection 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 damage to health.
People are accustomed to not noticing the problem that has arisen until the effects of helminths begin to affect their well-being.
To start treatment at the right time, it is important to know how to determine the presence of parasites in the body - these are the symptoms of helminthiasis that we will talk about in the article.
Parasites, their species
Parasites are the lowest forms of life that exist at the expense of the host organism. They can exist on the surface of the skin, affecting internal organs, tissues, mucous membranes.
By consuming the nutrients that enter the host 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 within 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 cells and tissues of the host body. This group includes lice, fleas, ticks, insects.
Most often, worm worms, ascaris, swine tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, lamblia, alveococcus, echinococcus, wide tapeworm are found by worms.
The adult body, along with all the functional systems, is able to prevent some attacks by parasites.
In the oral cavity, along with saliva, enzymes are produced that are fatal to worm eggs. The acidic environment of the stomach also serves as a defense system.
The other defense barrier - for particularly persistent representatives of helminths - is the immune system.
However, in the immature body of children, the protective barriers may not work, which can lead to parasitic infection.
In the process of evolution, endoparasites have learned to survive in extraordinary conditions, to adapt to any change, and to destroy the body asymptomatically, practically not betraying their presence.
According to studies, it can take months or even years from the moment of infection until the first signs of helminthiasis appear.
To detect infection at an early stage, you need to know how to identify parasites in the human body.
You need to carefully monitor the changes in your body and its signals in order to notice in time the symptoms of intoxication with helminth waste products and identify if there are parasites in the body.
Signs of worm infection
The presence of parasites in the body always affects the state of human health. But the signs that indicate the loss of protozoa are similar to the symptoms of common diseases.
To find out if parasites are present in the body, a medical examination will allow.
There are the following groups of signs that indicate infection of the body:
- intoxication of the body;
- nervous system damage;
- 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 rise in temperature to 37. 5 for no apparent reason. The work of the immune system is broken, which is a consequence of the appearance of colds, intestinal disorders, allergies.
A clear sign of parasite infection is an unreasonable weight loss due to the body fighting the worms for nutrients.
Children are more susceptible to this symptom. If the child has dramatically lost weight in the usual way of life, then it is urgent to check if the child has helminthiasis.
As a result of prolonged poisoning by worm toxins, irritability, depressive state and irritability occur.
Sleep disorder can be caused, especially in the middle of the night. At this time, according to human biorhythms, the liver is more active, and an unreasonable awakening may be the result of the body's efforts to get rid of toxic substances.
According to some sources, the reaction of the nervous system to parasitic intervention is bruxism - the gnashing of teeth 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 nutrients and fatty compounds is reduced. Moving to the colon, the worms cause cramping pain. During their lifetime, many types of parasites secrete specific substances that cause diarrhea.
Worms have different shapes and sizes, so they can be the cause of blockage of some organs, bile ducts and intestines, which leads to constipation.
Located in the small intestine, parasitic creatures cause bloating, bloating, and inflammation. Frequent swelling 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, papilloma, dermatitis.
Often, parasites are the cause of allergic reactions: urticaria, rash, eczema. This is due to the fact that worms produce a poison that activates the immune system, which leads to a response from the body.
If you notice in yourself or your child some of the changes listed above, you should contact a doctor immediately to be checked for parasites.
A qualified parasitologist will perform an understandable and accessible instruction (explain how to get tested, what tests you should do) and, based on the test results, will prescribe treatment.
Laboratory methods for diagnosing helminthiasis
In the human body, parasites, their larvae and eggs can settle in various organs. The ability to move within the body and, as a result, to be in any body system, makes helminthiasis difficult to identify.
At an early stage, parasites can be detected in no more than 15% of patients out of the total number of infected.
How to find out if there are toxins in the body? To detect all clinical forms of parasites, complex studies are performed, combining different methods.
The following biological materials are used to detect worms in the laboratory research process:
- feces;
- bile;
- urine;
- saliva;
- blood;
- muscle;
- perianal and rectal mucus.
The traditional method by which you can check a child or adult for the presence of protozoa is to study the patient's feces.
To do this, you need to pass the proper analysis. This proven method allows you to determine the presence of protozoan bodies, larvae and eggs, to detect their type.
The immunological method consists of a blood test that detects antigens and antibodies to certain types of microorganisms.
Antigens are directly represented by parasites and the 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 types of parasitic microorganisms can be detected.
As a result of a blood test, it is possible to identify the parasitic organism and detect the dynamics of disease development.
The serological method is used in the acute stage of the disease. For this test, you need to 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, you can detect parasites in the test material and project the subsequent development of the disease.
Rarely in modern medicine, parasites are detected using bioresonance studies, histological coprograms, hemoscan, 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 body's work.
Modern medicine recommends prophylaxis of parasite infection 2 times a year. There are many medicines for this.
Before using the medication, you should consult a doctor, as antihelminthic agents are toxic not only to helminths but also to the human body.