Many will be surprised if they find that a person constantly lives "not alone". On himself, as well as inside his body, microorganisms constantly exist and without this mutually beneficial coexistence, a person would be seriously ill and could not survive. Thus, on the surface of healthy skin, there is a normal microflora that protects it from the reproduction of harmful microbes. Lactobacilli, or Dederlein sticks, are present in the vagina of women, which form a normal acidic environment. Finally, in the large intestine and feces of a healthy person, there are hundreds of billions of microorganisms involved in the digestion of food, the production of vitamins and the protection of a person from disease.
But,except microbes, all other random organisms - protozoa and worms - are parasites. . . Some begin to multiply, "poisoning" our body. How to detect parasites in the human body?
This question is far from idle. Of course, if the doctor points his finger and says which parasites live in the body of a particular person, then this patient will immediately go for tests. The same will happen if, for example, small worms are accidentally found in fresh feces. The question is clear: the Helminth invasion is evident. It remains only to clarify the diagnosis and begin treatment.
But parasites have learned to "keep their noses out", and often their existence in the body causes incomprehensible changes that the patient does not at all associate with the presence of parasites. What are these symptoms? How can one suspect, for example, chronic helminthiasis?
Common signs of parasites
The whole variety of parasites, ranging from accidental (transient) and ending with those parasites that constantly live in the human body, is manifested by some symptoms. They can be divided into two groups:
- specific(characteristic of a particular type of parasite), for example, swelling and muscle pain with trichinosis, development of acute appendicitis when crawling in the ascarid appendage, or stabbing itching in the perianal region in the presence of pinworms.
But it is good if there is such a symptom that accurately indicates the cause of the invasion (in medicine it is called pathognomonic). But how to determine the presence of parasites in the human body if there are no such direct signs?
To do this, check for other symptoms common to parasites - non-specific.
- not specificthe symptoms are signs that indicate poisoning of the body with the waste products of worms and protozoa.
In turn, these signs most often appear in the form of two syndromes:
- an allergic reaction of the body to a parasite;
- intoxication or poisoning syndrome.
How to identify parasites in the human body and what symptoms do they cause?
The most common symptoms of parasitosis
- gradual, but constantly progressive decrease in body weight, not associated with chronic stress, increased level of physical activity;
- the onset of insomnia. It can be caused by both itchy skin and the release of toxins, for example during the migration of larvae. In this case, the person simply experiences a deterioration in evening and night well-being.
- the onset of nausea and vomiting, sometimes due to food aversion;
- anorexia, or a marked decrease in appetite, up to its complete absence. For example, with giardiasis, children often have a morning aversion to food;
- there is pronounced weakness, weakness, reduced performance;
- daytime sleepiness appears;
- the temperature rises to subfebrile numbers (37, 1-37, 5);
- there is a headache syndrome: a headache appears that is not associated with physical and mental stress.
Allergic manifestations of helminthiasis can be different. Urticaria may occur, causeless skin itching may appear and disappear, Quincke's allergic edema, bronchospasm.
In that case,if you or loved ones have the above symptoms, see a doctor. . .
Of course, this does not limit the range of symptoms, but these are the most common.
About laboratory signs
How to identify parasites in the human body using simple tests? For example, when studying the result of a general blood test, the following results indicate a helminth invasion:
- anemia, or a decrease in hemoglobin level and color index;
- eosinophilia. . . Normally, the number of eosinophils does not exceed 5%, and their number increases with parasitic diseases.
Of course, you shouldn't do all the tests below yourself, the doctor knows best what to prescribe in each specific case.
Speaking of accidental finds
Sometimes an accidental finding helps to identify the presence of parasites in the human body. How does it happen?
- for example, with fluorography, an unusual darkening in the lung field is found, which can turn out to be a parasitic cyst;
- During an MRI of the brain, it is also possible to detect single or multiple cysts, often without any symptoms.
In conclusion, it must be said thatafter the detection of these symptoms, a specific diagnosis is made: immune reactions are set, feces are analyzed, if necessary, duodenal contents are taken. Of course, the story of life is very important. So, if a person the day before rested in the hot countries of Asia and Africa and swam where it is not recommended, or used water of dubious quality or unwashed fruit, the presence of a helminth invasion is morethat's likely.
Similarly, if a child has similar symptoms after attending school, kindergarten, and parents are confident that the cause is not a stressful state due to the influence of an organized team, then there are more than enough reasons to visit apediatrician specializing in infectious diseases.
Treatment of identified helminthiasis is carried out in a special helminthological (parasitological) room, which usually exists in each regional center at the main infectious disease hospital.