According to the World Health Organization, around 4. 5 billion people are infected with one type of parasite or another. In this case, most of the time it is not clear that an "agreement" has occurred. The signs of parasites are not always obvious; they are sometimes similar to the symptoms of other diseases, from which they can be differentiated by different examination methods.
Types of parasites and places of their location in the body
Many types of parasites have already been discovered. Some of them can be found quite frequently in your body.
Pinworms
Quite common in young children and teenagers. They live in the large intestine. Its length does not exceed 1-1. 5 cm. Their peculiarity is that, living in the folds of the large intestine, they lay eggs in underwear and skin folds. Egg maturation occurs within 6 hours. In this case, the child feels intense itching, grinds his teeth during sleep, eats little and gets tired quickly. This parasite can enter a child's body through dirty hands, toys, toilet seats, dishes and other children's underwear.
Toxocars
The carriers of this parasite are domestic animals - dogs and cats. On its body it reaches 30 cm. Toxocara eggs can survive for a long time in soil and sand. They come out of there through human hands and can also stick to clothes and shoes. After that, they enter the body, where they spread through the vessels and internal organs, but are not transported.
Ascaris
This pathogenic organism is the most common and occurs annually in 100 million people. It spreads through food, soil, water and dirty hands. The parasite reaches 40 cm in length. The female lays up to 200 thousand eggs every day. They end up in the soil, where they can persist for many years. If the parasites penetrate through food, they penetrate the intestine, spread through the bloodstream through the capillaries, reaching the liver, brain, lungs, eyes, constantly multiplying. Roundworms feed on red blood cells and nutrients from human food. As a result, a person often develops various types of anemia, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system occur, and allergic reactions occur. When roundworms penetrate the respiratory tract into the deeper layers of the skin and lungs, diseases such as bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, arthritis, convulsions, fever and other symptoms similar to bronchitis or pneumonia develop. If the lungs are affected by roundworms, the following are possible: rupture of pulmonary vessels, hemoptysis and other unpleasant symptoms reminiscent of tuberculosis.
Often the location of sites of parasitic damage is the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, causing disturbances in the normal functioning of these organs. In particularly difficult cases, intestinal obstruction, purulent processes may occur.
Wide tapeworm
This type of parasite can reach 10 m in length. In the patient's body, it is twisted. Its nutrition comes from the nutrients consumed by humans. As a result, a person feels exhaustion of the body, iron deficiency anemia, nausea, morning vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of strength and drowsiness.
Infection with this type of parasite most often occurs through raw fish.
Bovine tapeworm (sow)
Tapeworm infection occurs through meat products - raw or undercooked. The length of this parasite reaches 2 to 7 meters. It can live in the human body for up to 20 years. The main danger of this parasite is that it can infect the brain and eyes.
Echinococcus
Infection with this type of parasite occurs from infected animals, contaminated fruits or berries with soil, through water. The parasite larvae penetrate the body and spread through the bloodstream, affecting several internal organs: kidneys, liver, brain, as well as the lymphatic and skeletal systems. Additionally, echinococcal larvae can degenerate into cysts, growing to a size that compresses nearby internal organs. Symptoms mainly depend on the location of the parasites.
General symptoms of the pathological condition
There are many common signs of this pathology, but each of them may or may not appear depending on the location and type of parasite.
- intestinal and gastric discomfort syndrome;
- dysbiosis;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- bile stagnation;
- weight change;
- problematic skin;
- allergy;
- pain in joints, muscles;
- anemia;
- decreased immunity;
- avitaminosis;
- sleep disturbances, nervousness;
- chronic fatigue;
- oncology.
Stomach discomfort is one of the signs of parasites
Intestinal or stomach discomfort
Many types of parasites are located in the upper or lower part of the intestine, which leads to inflammation of this area, disruption of its functioning and swelling. In this case, nutrient absorption decreases. If the location of the parasites is in the upper part of the intestine, the fats are not broken down, but enter the lower sections, causing spasms, alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Additionally, this symptom is often accompanied by:
- pain in the epigastric region;
- pain in the left and right side under the ribs;
- nausea, heartburn;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- dysbiosis;
- intestinal/biliary colic.
If the digestive tract is not functioning properly, other accompanying symptoms that affect the condition of the skin will also be observed:
- skin rashes of various types (acne, pimples);
- pigmentation;
- decreased tone, frequent formation of wrinkles;
- dehydration, dry skin;
- change in complexion - pale, dull tone.
Bile stagnation
Parasites located in the bile ducts or nearby organs, due to their large size, can block the ducts of the tract, which causes blockage of the common duct and difficulty in the outflow of bile, causing obstructive jaundice.
This problem also negatively affects the skin condition.
Weight change
The change in body weight can be up or down. This is a consequence of a parasitic disease. Weight reduction occurs due to the consumption of nutrients by the "subcolonizer". Obesity is also due to the fact that the parasite consumes everything the person eats, which is why they have a false feeling of hunger. The feeling of insatiation also occurs due to the fact that the helminth poisons the "host" body with its feces and a drop in blood sugar occurs.
Changes in body weight are a possible sign of parasites
Pain in muscles and joints
Parasites look for the most convenient place for themselves and sometimes "settle" in joints or muscles. As a result, tissue damage or an immunological reaction to its presence in the body occurs. This causes a person to experience muscle or joint pain.
Allergy
Parasites disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, causing undigested pieces of food to enter the large intestine. The immune system reacts to this by activating the body's protective cells - eosinophils, which contribute to the development of an allergic reaction. Parasites also contribute to increased secretion of immunoglobulin E, which also contributes to increased allergic reaction.
Decreased immunity
The presence of a parasite in the body impairs immunity. The synthesis of immunoglobulin A, which also maintains the level of immunity, decreases. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to the negative influence of various bacteria and viruses.
Therefore, patients are often infected with colds, viral diseases and other diseases.
Sleep disorders, nervousness
The toxic secretions of parasites negatively affect the functioning of the central nervous system, cause constant nervousness, worsening the quality of sleep. Patients often experience nighttime awakenings between 2 and 3 am, which are caused by the body's "desire" to get rid of toxic substances secreted by parasites through the liver.
If the brain is damaged by parasite larvae, the following signs are possible:
- difficulty reading;
- hyperactivity;
- attention disorder.
Sleep disturbance is a possible symptom of the presence of parasites in the body
Constant lack of sleep, nervousness and anxiety negatively affect the condition of the entire body, including the skin.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Its signs include:
- general weakness;
- decrease or increase in body temperature for no reason;
- emotional instability;
- depression;
- apathy towards all aspects of life;
- impaired concentration;
- poor memory;
- distraction;
- rapid fatigue with minimal physical activity.
These symptoms can also be caused by other diseases caused by the presence of the parasite.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosing the presence of parasites is quite difficult, especially in the first period after their "invasion". Previously, the most effective methods were stool analysis and duodenal intubation. These studies made it possible to determine the presence of parasite fragments, their eggs and larvae. But these methods did not always give reliable results. Tests are currently being carried out to help determine the presence of parasites with almost a 100% guarantee.
- stool analysis (at least 3 times);
- ELISA tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- serological examination methods;
- computed tomography;
- PCR diagnosis, which involves analysis of parasites using DNA analysis;
- endobiopsy.
If there are signs of parasites, a stool test is prescribed
These research methods not only help to determine the presence of parasites, but also to identify various diseases and disorders in the functioning of systems and organs, as well as to assess the condition of internal organs.
If there are several signs of parasitic damage, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe all the necessary tests. This way, it will be possible to detect the "settler" in time and protect yourself from its negative effects on the body.
FAQ
What signs indicate the presence of parasites in the body?
Signs of parasites may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, digestive problems, and other nonspecific symptoms.
What types of parasites can live in the human body?
The parasites that live in the human body can be diverse, including helminths (roundworms and flatworms), protozoa, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
To diagnose parasites in the body, stool tests, blood tests, molecular diagnostic methods, ultrasound and other methods can be used, depending on the type of parasite and its habitat.
Useful Tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to weight and appetite changes in yourself and your pets, as these may be signs of parasites.
Tip #2
Learn about the different types of parasites, such as roundworms, flatworms, mites, lice, etc. , to be prepared for possible infections.
Tip #3
Make regular visits to your doctor and veterinarian for exams and parasite testing, especially if you travel or live in areas with high infestation rates.