Parasitic diseases are a large group of diseases caused by helminths, some arthropods and protozoa.
Despite all the achievements of modern medicine and developed hygiene, according to statistics, about 90% of people around the world meet these pathologies at least once in their lives.How to suspect illness and what tests to be taken for parasites can be found in this article.
Types of parasites
Parasites are organisms that survive on the vital activity of living things.Setting up in the human body, during growth and reproduction, they lead to a deficiency of trace elements, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients.They can lead to recurrence and exacerbations of chronic pathologies and cause damage to the internal organs themselves.
There are the following types of parasites that can cause disease in humans:
- Protozoa (Amoeba, Lamblia);
- pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasma and others);
- Helminths (roundworms, pinari, tapeworm with beef and pork, etc.);
- Parasitic arthropods (scabies mites, demodex).
The main characteristic of the pathologies they cause is a long asymptomatic or low systemic course.The parasites skillfully hide their existence, trying to "pull everything out of the host's body" while its reserves are exhausted and the organ or tissue is seriously damaged.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
Parasitic pathologies most often mean helminths - diseases caused by the presence of worms in the body.In most cases, they are found in children, but they can also develop in adults if hygiene rules are neglected.For a long time after the infection, they do not manifest themselves in any way or are accompanied by subtle symptoms that often go unnoticed.
Each disease is characterized by certain characteristics, but there are common signs:
- Headache, dizziness, increased weakness and fatigue.These manifestations are a consequence of intoxication, which occurs due to poisoning with the life of parasites.
- Exacerbation of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, urticaria.They occur due to increased sensitivity to helminth cells and their release products.
- Disruption of the digestive system (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, acids, constipation and diarrhea).Helminths parasitizing in the intestinal lumen lead to its inflammation, intestinal obstruction due to blockage of the intestinal lumen.
- Anemia, vitamin deficiency, weight loss.It occurs due to deficiency, proteins, vitamins and trace elements, a decrease in hormone production.
- Sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, irritability, nervousness, muscles and joint pain.
In order to detect the majority in the type of helminths, it is necessary to analyze the stools or give blood for specific antibodies.You can undergo a clinic at the site of residence when you enter the hospital, as well as in any of the private laboratories.Some medical centers propose to undergo an extended examination during which it is possible to diagnose the presence or absence of several types of parasites in the body at once.
Parasite tests
What tests should be taken in case of suspicion of a parasitic disease, the attending physician will say on the basis of complaints, history and clinical manifestations of the disease.
The diagnosis begins with a common blood test.The most characteristic changes in helminthiasis will be:
- Reduction of hemoglobin levels and a decrease in the number of red blood cells (occurs due to protein and iron deficiency).
- Increasing the number of leukocytes, the acceleration of ESR (are signs of inflammation of the internal organs, in particular the gastrointestinal tract).
- Increasing eosinophils (a characteristic sign of allergy arising in response to the irritating effect of helminth life).
For a more accurate diagnosis, stool analysis is used on helminth eggs and scraping.In the stool study, you can find pathogens of enterobiosis, ascariasis, hymenlidosis, and find the presence of simple microorganisms (Giardia).
It is important to remember that with one study the likelihood of detecting eggs eggs in the stool is 30%.Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis at the first negative result, the study is conducted twice more at an interval of 2-4 days.
In order to increase the accuracy of the study, it is important to carefully prepare for the passage of stools for analysis.The biological material should only be collected in a special sterile container that can be purchased at the pharmacy.A few days before the analysis, you should refuse to eat coloring foods (beets, red fruits, exotic fruits, sweets and dyes with dyes), do not use laxatives as well as rectal candles.
Enzyme immuno -analysis
Using ELISA analysis in adults and children, it is possible to detect antibodies produced by the human body in response to the presence of foreign objects in it.To do this, the blood is taken from a vein in which in the laboratory specific IgG antibodies to Giardia, Trichomonas, Pork and Fovine Tapeworm, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Toxocara, Ascaris and Pinworms can be found.Using this study, you can find the presence of almost all parasites in the human body.
Preparation for the study is not difficult.The test should be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach after 8-10 hours quickly.On the eve of the study, it is advisable not to take antibacterial and antihistamine drugs, and not to eat allergenic foods (honey, seafood, exotic fruits and red fruits, nuts).Immediately before donating blood, experts recommend that you rest in the laboratory for a laboratory for 10-15 minutes.
The results of the study become known in 1-2 days.These studies are conducted both as a primary diagnosis and as a control over treatment.
Timely detection and modern effective treatment of parasitic diseases allow you to avoid complications dangerous to health.