In modern medicine, parasitic lesions are considered one of the most unpleasant and dangerous problems. They can "establish" in various systems and organs of the human body, causing various diseases, as well as adversely affect the general physical condition. The current pest struggle is an urgent task that requires an integrated approach and professional treatment.
The dissemination of parasitic infections in modern society has increased significantly. This is a consequence of an increase in the number of tourist trips abroad, strengthening the connections between different cultures and increasing the level of movement of the population. Despite all successes in the sanitation and hygiene field, the likelihood of parasites infection remains today. In addition, the emergence of new varieties of parasites significantly complicates the task and requires the creation of even more effective treatment and diagnostic methods.
A great degree of adaptation and change is inherent only to living beings; Therefore, the idea that parasites can live within our body causes fear and rejection.
The causes of parasites in the body
Through food or contaminated water
Many parasites have the ability to live in poorly cooked or unsuccessful foods. For example, trichinosis- An infectious disease generated by Trichinell Helminas. The infection of them may occur in case of consumption of raw meat or little fried.
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, polluted, for example, excrement of animals. An example of this infection is an infectious disease causedascarids(Worms).
Bad hygiene
Inadequate hand wash before eating and after the bathroom increases the risk of helminthiasis. In addition, inadequate storage and cooking can create favorable conditions for their distribution. Accommodation under conditions of unhealthy conditions (poor hygiene or insufficient care for nearby animals) also contributes to the development of parasitic infections.
Weak immunity
Unstable nutrition, stress, lack of sleep and presence of chronic diseases are capable of weakening the body's immune functions, 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
Helminths (intestinal worms)
They are the most common parasitic group that lives in the human body, feeding on the deal and digestive tissues. Its most famous representatives areAskarids, Like this,Trematos(liver and intestinal),Cestodes(Worms-Lane), some speciesNematodo.
Appropriate
These are microscopic organisms that live in the human body or in their 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 its growth and development. Some of them are able to infect a person and cause the appearance of a skin fungus.
BLOOD -Suading insects
Mosquitoes and ticks can also be carried out of some infections. Ticks are tick encephalitis pathogens and boreliosis, and mosquitoes are malaria and denge fever.
Ectoparasites
Live in the skin of a person (lice of the skin) or their hairy area (pediculosis).
Pathogenic bacteria
Although the fact that most bacteria are useful for the human body, there are those that can harm. They include Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
Each type of parasite has its own characteristics distinct from the effect on the body and requires a special approach to drug therapy. In this sense, it is always worth requesting medical help in case of suspected parasitic infection.
Ways to transmit parasites
Contact with dirty soil or water
Parasites can live on soil or lagoons. In interacting with them, they are able to penetrate the epidermis. To protect it, follow the rules of elementary hygiene: Wash your hands completely before eating, not consuming raw or insufficiently cooked foods and not swim in dirty open lagoons.
Through insect bites
Certain varieties of mosquitoes, ticks and flies are able to transmit different diseases such as malaria or dermatitis. To protect against bites and prevent infection, you should wear special repulsive agents, wear closed clothes while walking in the forest or nature, avoid the accumulation of waste or water stagnation, which may attract insects.
Eat products or drinks infected with parasitic eggs
This can happen with insufficient food treatment and the use of poorly washed vegetables and fruits. Frying should be performed until the product is absolutely fried. You should also remember that vegetables and fruits should be well washed before use.
Parasites that are transmitted from person to person
Exchange of exchangers is made in close contact with infected through clothes, personal belongings or bedding. To avoid infection, you need to regularly change bedding, do not wear strange personal things and also try not to contact sick people.
Parasitic symptoms in the human body
Constant fatigue
The occurrence of constant fatigue, indifference and inability to concentrate is due to the fact that parasites deprive the body necessary for the proper functioning of nutrients.
Problems with a chair
This has several manifestations: diarrhea, constipation or change of color and texture of stool. Often pathogens are able to influence the functioning of the digestive system so that some people can disgust certain products.
Skin problems
It is manifested in rash, itching or excessive dry skin. Paragraph organisms cause allergic reactions and inflammation, which can lead to skin problems.
A constant sensation of thirst
This is due to the fact that some types of parasites have the ability to consume a large amount of fluid for their existence. A -chave sign of the body imbalance, in which parasites cause constant desire, can be a desire.
Change of appetite
Individual people suffer from a constant feeling of hunger, while others, on the contrary, lose interest in food. Worms affect metabolic processes, which is why digestion dysfunction occurs, leading to weight loss.
Sensitivity to infections
Frequent nose and reactions to allergens - all this may be the result of a weakened immune system. Parasites weaken body protection mechanisms and make it more vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Who is at risk
Children
This situation is explained by several factors: an unnatural immune system, weaker mechanisms to protect the body and insufficient knowledge of hygiene. The possibility of infection with certain types of parasites increases when children with animals are contacted and during the game on the street.
Tourist
People who visit countries or exotic regions with a high level of parasitic infection are also at 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 likely to people living in rural areas or have direct contact with animals (farmers and hunters). For example, lambliosis and tricelelosis are often found in people involved in cattle breeding or in the consumption of insufficiently overeating meat.
Immunosisive people
People with a weakened immune system (eg positive HIV patients or receiving immunosuppressive therapy) become more often with parasitic infections.
How the infection affects the immune system
By infecting with parasites, the human body activates a variety of immunological mechanisms to detect and destroy these foreign agents. The immune system reacts to the presence of parasites, producing antibodies and cytokines. It is these proteins that help combat the infection. In addition, special cells of the immune system - neutrophils and macrophages - phagocytes (absorb) pathogens.
However, some types of parasites have evolved to avoid the action of the host's immune system. This allows parasites for a long time to persist in the human body and continue to cause various diseases.
The immune system, in the case of allergic reactions to parasites, begins to produce more IgE antibodies and can cause strong burnt skin. In addition, some types of parasites have the opportunity to suppress the owner's immune responsibility with the release of special components or modulating cell receptors activity.
Thus, foreign studies have shown that parasites infection of some species can lead to a change in immune system reaction 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 may cause damage to organs. As a result, a decrease in general body resistance and deterioration of its ability to combat other infections may occur.
How to determine the presence of parasites in the body
- Helminthological Analysis - A study of the excrement content for the presence of parasitic eggs. This research method is one of the most popular and convenient to identify the infection. For analysis, you need to collect a stool sample in a clean container and take it to the laboratory. Helminth adults are found without optical devices and eggs - using a magnifying glass.
- A blood test for immunoglobulin for parasites. This method makes it possible to determine the presence of antibodies in the body, which are formed during contact with parasites. Study can help detect parasitic infections - for example, toxoplasm or opistorchiasis.
- Ultrasound study. It is used to determine the presence of specific types of microorganisms (worms and protozoal infections).
- Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (RM). Using computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging systems, parasitic infections such as echinoccus or toxoplasmosis can be detected.
- Biopsy. During biopsy, a small fabric sample is removed using a needle or surgical tool and is 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, and takes into account the epidemic situation.
Treatment of parasites in the human body
Many patients with parasitic infections do not notice the presence of these hated guests until 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 find out the exact cause of the problem and choose the most effective treatment.
Drug treatment
These medications are sold in a pharmacy according to the prescription, include capsules, tablets or straps to fix the skin. They affect the vile inhabitants, eliminating or damaging them, allowing the body free from 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 need to follow the doctor's instructions and finish the full treatment course.
Lifestyle Change
This is necessary to prevent re -infection and maintain physical health after undergoing a treatment course. It is necessary to remember to observe the hygiene of the hands and the safety rules when interacting with food and water. Proper cooking and careful processing of products are also inextricable components to prevent parasitic infections.
Folkloric methods
There are certain herbs and plants that have antiparastic properties. But before using these funds, you should consult a doctor to delete possible negative reactions or interactions with other medications.
Recommendations for preventing parasites infection
- Mandatory compliance with personal hygiene. Wash hands before eating and after interacting with the soil or animals, significantly reduces the likelihood of infection with various types of pathogens. You should also monitor nail accuracy and cleaning shoes.
- 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 well washed.
- Drinking water. The water class used to drink plays a very important role in preventing parasites infection. To exclude the infection, the liquid must pass through the filter and processing. It is also advisable to use bottled water only when traveling to states with an insufficiently developed water supply infrastructure.
- Taking care of pets. Due to the fact that domestic animals can be carried to parasites (helminths), it is recommended to regularly prevent worms and verify the presence of fleas.
- When visiting a public place where there is a great accumulation of people, it is necessary to observe hygienic rules and be extremely attentive - there is no food of unknown origin.
- Medical examination and vaccination. Periodic medical inspections play a major role in detecting parasitic infections and treatment in the early stages. In particular, it is worth following the recommendations for vaccination of specific parasitic diseases when traveling to countries with a high level of infection threat.
Useful Tips
- Be sure to pay attention to hygiene. You need to wash your hands as needed, not just before meals or after contact with contaminated surfaces (animals).
- It is worth considering the presence of a high standard of drinking water quality. Water can become a source of various parasitic infections, especially if it has not been fully treated. It is necessary to use exclusively purified or filtered water.
- Avoid products with insufficient heat treatment. As mentioned earlier, many parasites are transmitted through food products. This is why it is necessary to perform thermal treatment of meat, fish and other products. It is recommended to exclude non -processed or unfinished diet.
- Buy products from reliable suppliers. Buy goods only in trusted sockets and bazaars, where sanitary control is respected.
- Strengthen the immune system. Using a powerful protection mechanism, the body can successfully resist various infections as well as parasitic diseases. Regular use of fresh fruits and vegetables, complete foods (with sufficient protein) and physical activity can keep the immune system in the right form.
- Periodic medical examinations. With a systematic visit to the doctor, it is possible to identify the presence of parasites or signs of their presence.
- In interacting with animals, hygiene standards should be observed. If there are pets, do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene. Cats for cats, bird birds with feathers and other places where pests can accumulate periodically clean.
- Antiparasitic medications should be used. There are several medications that help not to infect with certain types of parasites. To choose the necessary medicine, consult a medical or pharmacist worker.
Possible complications
Some parasitic infections may be simple or short, but others may 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 that can cause serious allergies in humans. This manifests itself in the form of rash, itching, edema or redness.
Another common complication is a violation of the digestive tract. Enteroparasite can penetrate the gastrointestinal tract and consume its content. This is what leads to a decrease in food assimilation of food, as well as the development of vitamin deficiency and tracking elements.
In addition, harmful microorganisms can cause damage to human body tissues. For example, parasites in the form of intestinal worms and plans may penetrate through the liver or gallbladder to the organ that causes an inflammatory process. These parasites distinguish poisons that tend to harm other organs and tissues.
Parasitic zones may inhibit the protective response of the human body, which leads to increased 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 pest, level of infection and general physical form). They also include old age, immunity and presence of chronic diseases.
Fundamental measures to avoid potential complications are a standard examination for the presence of parasites and timely treatment.