The problem of parasitic infection is not adequately covered in society, so a person begins to be interested in how to detect 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 early, it is important to know how to determine the presence of parasites in the body - these are the symptoms of helminths that we will talk about in the article.
Pests, their species
Parasites are lower life forms to the detriment of the host organism. They can be present on the surface of the skin, affecting the internal organs, tissues, mucous membranes.
By consuming the nutrients that enter 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 pests:
- endoparasites are present in the human body (echinococcus, bulbs, toxoplasma, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi).
- exoparasites 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, bedbugs.
Most often, worms are found worms, roundworms, pork strips, bovine strips, bulbs, alveolus, echinococcus, broad strip.
The adult body, along with all the operating systems, is able to prevent some parasitic attacks.
In the oral cavity, along with saliva, enzymes are produced that are deadly to worm eggs. The acidic environment of the stomach also serves as a protective system.
The next barrier to protection - for highly persistent 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 incredible conditions, to adapt to any changes and to destroy the body asymptomatically, practically not betraying their presence.
According to studies, it can take several months or even years from the time of infection until the first signs of helminthiasis appear.
To detect infection at an early stage, you need to know how to detect parasites in the human body.
You should carefully monitor the changes in your body and its signals, in order to observe in time the symptoms of intoxication with helminth waste and to detect if 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 that indicate the defeat of protozoa are similar to the symptoms of common diseases.
To find out if there are parasites in the body, it will allow a medical examination.
There are the following groups of signs that indicate infection of the body:
- poisoning of the body.
- damage to the nervous system.
- gastrointestinal tract disorder.
- 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 disturbed, which is a consequence of the occurrence of colds, intestinal disorders, allergies.
A clear sign of a parasite attack is an irrational weight loss due to the body fighting with the worms for nutrients.
Children are more susceptible to this symptom. If the child has lost weight dramatically with the usual way of life, then it is urgent to check if the child has helminthiasis.
Prolonged intoxication with worm toxins results in nervousness, depression, and irritability.
Sleep disturbance can occur, especially in the middle of the night. At the moment, according to human biorhythms, the liver is more active and an irrational 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 the parasitic intervention is bruxism - grinding of the teeth during sleep. Many consider this to be 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 fats is reduced. Moving to the large intestine, the worms cause cramping pain. During their vital activity, many types of parasites secrete specific substances that cause diarrhea.
Worms have different shapes and sizes, so they can cause obstruction of certain organs, bile and intestinal tract, 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.
The disorder 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 because 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 several of the changes listed above, you should contact a parasite doctor immediately.
A qualified parasitologist will carry out an understandable and accessible instruction (explain how to get tested, what tests you need to do) and, based on the test results, will prescribe treatment.
Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of helminths
In the human body, parasites, larvae and their eggs can be found in different organs. The ability to move within the body and, as a result, to be found in every system of the body, makes helminthiasis difficult to recognize.
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 helminths in the body? In order 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;
- sputum;
- blood;
- muscle;
- perineal and rectal mucus.
The traditional method by which you can test a child or an adult for the presence of protozoa is to study the patient's stool.
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 of 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 produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) against antigens in the human blood.
This method is informative, with the help of which more than 90% of the species of parasitic microorganisms can be detected.
As a result of a blood test, it is possible to identify the parasitic organism and discover the dynamics of the development of the disease.
The serological method is used in the acute stage of the disease. You must donate blood for this test.
The biofluid will serve as a material in which antibodies to a particular type of parasite can be found.
This method is often used in combination with x-rays, ultrasound and endoscopic examinations.
You can check the body for parasites through diagnostic PCR. The method makes it possible to detect a specific parasitic organism through special DNA analysis.
With the help of PCR diagnosis, one can detect parasites in the test material and predict the subsequent development of the disease.
Less commonly in modern medicine, parasites are detected using bioresonance studies, histological system histograms, hematopoiesis, and electroacupuncture.
Every year, new and existing and studied diagnostic methods are developed and improved. This allows you to spot the parasites at a stage when the worms have not yet caused changes in the body's work.
Modern medicine recommends protection against parasitic infection twice a year. There are many medicines for this.
Before using medicines, you should consult a doctor, as anthelmintic agents are toxic not only to helminths, but also to the human body.