In modern medicine, parasitic lesions are considered one of the most unpleasant and dangerous problems. They can "establish" in several systems and organs of the human body, causing various diseases, as well as negatively affect the general physical condition. The current pest struggle is an urgent task that requires an integrated approach and professional treatment.
The propagation of parasitic infections in modern society has increased significantly. This is a consequence of an increase in the number of tourist trips abroad, strengthening connections between different cultures and increasing the level of population movement. Despite all successes in the sanitation and hygiene field, the probability of infection with parasites remains until today. In addition, the appearance of new varieties of parasites significantly complicates the task and requires the creation of even more effective treatment and diagnosis.
A great degree of adaptation and capacity for change is inherent only to living beings, so the idea that parasites can live within our body cause fear and rejection.
The causes of parasites in the body
Through contaminated food or water
Many parasites have the ability to live in poorly cooked or unprocessed foods. For example, Tricinosis- An infectious disease generated by Trichinell helminas. The infection for them can occur in the case of the consumption of raw or poorly fried meat.
Contact with dirty land and surfaces
Some types of parasites may exist in the environment for a long time and at the same time remain viable. A person is infected, touching the soil or surfaces, contaminated, for example, animal excrement. An example of such infection is an infectious disease causedAscarrides(worms).
Poor hygiene
Inappropriate hand washing before eating and after bathing increases the risk of helminthiasis. In addition, inappropriate storage and cooking can create favorable conditions for distribution. The accommodation under unhealthy conditions (poor hygiene or insufficient care for animals that live close) also contributes to the development of parasitic infections.
Weak immunity
Unstable nutrition, stress, lack of sleep and the presence of chronic diseases can weaken the immune functions of the body, which is also a common cause of infection.
Parasites in the human body: signs, symptoms, how to get rid of
What are the types of parasites?
Helmintos (Intestinal worms)
They are the most common parasite group that lives in the human body, feeding on the digestive tract and tissues. Your most famous representatives areASKARIDS,Trematodes(liver and intestinal),Cestodo(Worms-Lane), some speciesNematode.
Appropriate
These are microscopic organisms that live in the human body or in its cavity. For example, giardias cause lambliosis, and amoebas can cause amebic dysentery.
Plant parasites
These are microorganisms that use the animal or plant environment for their growth and development. Some of them can infect a person and cause the appearance of a skin fungus.
Blood insects
Mosquitoes and ticks can also be carriers of some infections. The ticks are pathogens of encephalitis and paneliosis transmitted by ticks, and mosquitoes are malaria and fever.
Ectoparasites
Live in a person's skin (skin lice) or their hairy area (pediculosis).
Pathogenic bacteria
Despite the fact that most bacteria are useful for the human body, there are those that can damage. They include Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
Each type of parasites has its own distinctive characteristics of the body effect and requires a special approach to pharmacological therapy. In this sense, it is always worth requesting medical help in case of suspicion of parasitic infection.
Ways to transmit parasites
Contact with dirty soil or water
Parasites can live on ground or ponds. When interacting with them, they can penetrate through the epidermis. To protect it, follow the rules of elementary hygiene: Wash your hands well before eating, do not consume raw or insufficiently cooked foods, and do not swim in dirty open ponds.
Through insect bites
Certain varieties of mosquitoes, ticks and flies can transmit different diseases, such as malaria or dermatitis. To protect against bites and prevent infection, you must wear special repulsive agents, put closed clothes during walks in the forest or nature, avoid the accumulation of waste or water stagnation, which can attract insects.
Eat products or beverages infected with parasite eggs
This can happen with insufficient food treatment and the use of poorly washed vegetables and fruits. It must be fry until the product is absolutely fried. You must also remember that vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly before use.
Parasites that are transmitted from person to person
The exchange of exchange is carried out in close contact with infected through clothes, personal belongings or bedding. To prevent infection, you must regularly change bedding, not use strange personal things and also try not to contact sick people.
Parasites symptoms in the human body
Constant fatigue
The appearance of constant fatigue, indifference and inability to concentrate is due to the fact that parasites deprive the necessary body for the proper functioning of nutrients.
Problems with a chair
This has several manifestations: diarrhea, constipation or change of color and texture of the feces. Often, pathogens can influence the functioning of the digestive system, so some people can dislike certain products.
Skin problems
It manifests in rashes, itching or excessive dry skin. Parasic organisms cause allergic reactions and inflammation, which can lead to skin problems.
A constant thirst sensation
This is due to the fact that some types of parasites have the ability to consume a large amount of liquid for their existence. A key sign of the body imbalance, in which parasites cause constant desire, can be a craving.
Change the appetite
Individual people suffer from a constant feeling of hunger, while others, on the contrary, lose interest in food. The worms affect metabolic processes, so digestion dysfunction occurs, which leads to weight loss.
Sensitivity to infections
Frequent nose and reactions to allergens: all this can be the result of a weakened immune system. The parasites weaken the body protection mechanisms and make it more vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Who is at risk
Children
This situation is explained by several factors: an unchanged immune system, weaker mechanisms to protect the body and insufficient knowledge of hygiene. The possibility of infection with certain types of parasites increases when animals with animals are contacted and during the street game.
Tourists
People who visit exotic countries or regions with a high level of infection with parasites also run the risk of infecting. Some types of parasites are transmitted through insect bites, contact with contaminated water or incorrectly prepared foods. The most preferable preventive measures for the traveler are vaccines and the use of antiparasitic agents.
Residents of rural areas
Parasites are more prone to people living in rural areas or have direct contact with animals (farmers and hunters). For example, Lambliosis and tricinelosis are often found in the people involved in the breeding of livestock or the consumption of meat insufficiently entered.
Immunostresas people
People with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV positive patients or who receive immunosuppressive therapy) become more frequently parasitic infections.
How infection affects the immune system
When infected with parasites, the human body activates a variety of immune mechanisms to detect and destroy these strange agents. The immune system reacts to the presence of parasites, producing antibodies and cytokines. It is these proteins that help fight infection. In addition, special immune system cells - neutrophils and macrophages - phagocytes (absorb) pathogens.
However, some types of parasites developed in such a way that they avoid the action of the host immune system. This allows parasites for a long time to persist in the human body and continue to cause several diseases.
The immune system, in the case of allergic reactions to parasites, begins to produce more IGE antibodies and can cause strong burning skin. In addition, some types of parasites have the opportunity to suppress the owner's immune responsibility by librating special components or modular the activity of cell receptors.
Therefore, foreign studies showed that infection with parasites of some species can lead to a change in the reaction of the immune system to other infections. For example, some helminths (worms) tend to suppress the body's immune response to bacteria or viral infections. This makes a person more subject to various types of infections.
Some types of parasites can cause damage to organ tissues. As a result of this, a decrease in the general resistance of the body and the deterioration of its ability to combat other infections can occur.
How to determine the presence of parasites in the body
- Helmintological analysis: A study of the content of the excrement for the presence of parasites eggs. This research method is one of the most popular and convenient to identify the infection. For the analysis, you must collect a sample of feces to a clean container and take it to the laboratory. Helmint adults are found without optical and egg devices, using a magnifying glass.
- A blood analysis for immunoglobulin to parasites. This method allows to determine the presence of antibodies in the body, which are formed during contact with parasites. The study can help detect infections caused by parasites, for example, toxoplasma or opistorchiasis.
- Ultrasound study. It is used to determine the presence of specific types of microorganisms (worms and protozoa infections).
- Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MRI). Using computer tomographies or magnetic resonance systems, parasitic infections can be detected, such as equinococcus or toxoplasmosis.
- Biopsy. During the biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed using a needle or surgical tool and then studied under a microscope.
The conclusion about the presence of infection should be made exclusively by the assistant glistologist after examining the patient and evaluating his complaints, as well as taking into account the epidemic situation.
Treatment of parasites in the human body
Many patients with parasitic infections do not notice the presence of these hateful guests until the symptoms of the disease become obvious. Determining the exact diagnosis is the first step towards the fight against parasites. It is necessary to consult an experienced parasitologist to discover the exact cause of the problem and choose the most effective treatment.
Drug treatment
These medications are sold in a pharmacy according to the recipe, these include capsules, tablets or strips to fix the skin. They affect the vile inhabitants, eliminating them or damaging them, which allows the body to get rid of infection.
It should be remembered that some microorganisms have a complex life cycle and require longer treatment. For example, malaria treatment can last several weeks or even months to completely get rid of parasitic organisms. Therefore, you must follow the doctor's instructions and finish the complete course of treatment.
Change in lifestyle
This is necessary to prevent refection and maintain physical health after undergoing a treatment course. It is necessary to remember about observing the hygiene of the hands and safety rules when interacting with food and water. Proper cooking and careful processing of products are also inextricable components to prevent parasitic infections.
Popular methods
There are certain herbs and plants that have antiparasic properties. But before using these funds, you should consult a doctor to exclude possible negative reactions or interactions with other medications.
Recommendations for the prevention of parasites infection
- Mandatory compliance with personal hygiene. Washing your hands before eating and after interacting with the ground or animals, significantly reduces the probability of infection with various types of pathogens. You must also monitor nail accuracy and shoes cleaning.
- Good processing and cooking are important factors that protect a person from parasitic infections. To get rid of possible parasites, the product must be well prepared. Fruits and vegetables should be washed completely.
- Drinking water. The water class used to drink has a very important role in prevention of parasite infection. To exclude the infection, the liquid must cross filter and processing. It is also recommended to use only bottled water when traveling to states with an insufficiently developed water supply infrastructure.
- Taking care of pets. Due to the fact that domestic animals can be parasite carriers (helminths), it is recommended to regularly perform worm prevention and verify the presence of fleas.
- When visiting a public place where there is a great accumulation of people, it is necessary to observe the hygienic rules and be extremely attentive: there is no food of unknown origin.
- Medical exam and vaccination. Periodic medical inspections play an important role in the detection of parasitic infections and treatment in the initial stages. In particular, it is worth following recommendations for vaccination of specific parasitic diseases when they travel to countries with a high level of threat of infection.
Useful tips
- Be sure to pay attention to hygiene. The hands should be washed as necessary, not only before meals or after contact with contaminated surfaces (animals).
- It is worth considering the presence of a high level of quality of drinking water. Water can become a source of several parasitic infections, especially if it has not been treated thoroughly. It is necessary to use exclusively purified or filtered water.
- Avoid products with insufficient heat treatment. As mentioned above, many parasites are transmitted through food products. That is why the heat treatment of meat, fish and other products is required. It is recommended to exclude the meat without processing or without finishing the diet.
- Buy trusted suppliers products. Buy goods only in points of sale and reliable bazaars, where health control is respected.
- Strengthen the immune system. Using a powerful protection mechanism, the body can successfully resist several infections, as well as parasitic diseases. Regular use of fresh fruits and vegetables, complete foods (with sufficient protein) and physical activity can maintain the immune system in the proper form.
- Periodic medical exams. With a systematic visit to the doctor, it is possible to identify the presence of parasites or signs of their presence.
- When interacting with animals, hygiene standards must be observed. If there are pets, do not neglect personal hygiene rules. Cats for cats, bird cells with feathers and other places where pests can accumulate periodically.
- Antiparasitic drugs should be used. There are several medications that help not become infected with certain types of parasites. To choose the necessary medicine, consult a medical or pharmaceutical worker.
Possible complications
Some parasitic infections can be simple or in the short term, but others can become a serious threat.
One of the possible complications in the presence of parasites in the body is, as a rule, inallergic response. Most parasites produce poisons and substances of substances that can cause severe allergies in humans. This is manifested in the form of skin rashes, itching, edema or redness.
Another common complication is a violation of the digestive system. Enteroparasites can penetrate the gastrointestinal tract and consume its content. This is what leads to a decrease in the assimilation of food nutrients, as well as the development of vitamin deficiency and trace elements.
In addition, harmful microorganisms can cause damage to the tissues of the human body. For example, parasites in the form of intestinal worms and plans can penetrate through the liver or gallbladder to the organ, causing an inflammatory process. These parasites distinguish poisons that tend to damage other organs and tissues.
Parasitic areas can inhibit the protective response of the human body, which leads to greater susceptibility to other infections (frequent colds or allergic reactions).
It should be emphasized that complications in the presence of pests in the body depend on several factors (type of plague, level of infection and general physical form of a person). They also include old age, immunity and the presence of chronic diseases.
The fundamental measures to prevent potential complications are a standard examination for the presence of parasites and timely treatment.