Parasitic diseases are an extensive 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 at least once in their lives face these pathologies.How to suspect the disease and what tests for parasites pass, you can find out in this article.
Types of parasites
Parasites are called organisms that survive due to the vital activity of living beings.Having established themselves in the human body, they, in the process of growth and reproduction, lead to a deficiency of traits, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients.Both can lead to relapses and exacerbations of chronic pathologies and cause damage to internal organs on their own.
There are the following types of parasites that can cause disease in humans:
- Protozoa (Amoebas, Lamblia);
- pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasmas and others);
- Helminths (ascarids, pinworms, bulls and pork chain and so on);
- Parasitic arthropods (scab, Demodex).
The main feature of the pathologies caused by them is an asymptomatic or low long -term course.The parasites hide their existence skillfully, trying to "squeeze the body owner" until their reservations are sold out and the organ or tissue is seriously damaged.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
Parasitic pathologies usually refer to helminthiasis - diseases caused by the presence of worms in the body.In most cases, they are found in children, however, they can develop in adults if hygiene rules are neglected.For a long time after infection, they do not manifest themselves in any way or are accompanied by inconspicuous symptoms that often remain unnoticed.
Each disease is characterized by certain features, but there are general signs:
- Headache, dizziness, increased weakness and fatigue.These manifestations are a consequence of intoxication that occurs due to parasitic life poisoning.
- Exacerbation of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, hives.They arise due to increased sensitivity to helminth cells and their release products.
- Violation of the digestive system (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea).Helminths parasitize in intestinal lumen lead to their inflammation, intestinal obstruction due to blockage of intestinal lumen.
- Anemia, vitamin deficiency, weight loss.It occurs due to deficiency, protein, vitamins and trace elements, a decrease in the production of hormones.
- Sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, irritability, nervousness, muscles and joint pain.
To detect the majority by the type of helminths, it is necessary to analyze feces or donate blood to specific antibodies.You can undergo a study at a clinic at the place of residence when entering the hospital, as well as any of the private laboratories.Some medical centers propose to undergo an expanded exam, during which it is possible to diagnose the presence or absence of various types of parasites in the body at the same time.
Parasitic tests
The assistant doctor will tell you which exams you need to suspect a parasitic disease based on complaints, medical history and clinical manifestations of the disease.
The diagnosis begins with a general blood test.The most characteristic changes of helminthiasis will be:
- Decrease in hemoglobin levels and decrease in the number of red blood cells (occurs due to protein and iron deficiency).
- Increased number of leukocytes, acceleration of VHS (are signs of inflammation of the internal organs, in particular of the gastrointestinal tract).
- Increased eosinophils (a characteristic sign of allergy that occurs in response to the irritating effects of helminth waste).
For a more accurate diagnosis, fecal analysis for helminth eggs and scrapings are used.When examining feces, it is possible to detect pathogens of enterobiasis, ascariasis, hymenolipedosis, and also detect the presence of protozoan microorganisms (giardia).
It is important to remember that with a single test the likelihood of detecting eggs of worms in the stool is 30%.Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, with the first negative result, the study is conducted twice more times with 2 to 4 days.
To increase the accuracy of the study, it is important to carefully prepare the sending of stools for analysis.Biological material should be collected only in a sterile special container, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.A few days before the exam, one should stop consuming foods that stain (beetroot, red fruits, exotic fruits, sweets and drinks with dyes) and not use rectal laxatives or suppositories.
Immunoform analysis
Using ELISA analysis in adults and children, antibodies produced by the human body can be detected in response to the presence of foreign objects in it.To do this, blood is taken from a vein in which, in a laboratory, you can detect specific IgG antibodies to Giardia, Trichomonads, pork and bull tapeworm, Trichinellah, Echinococcus, toxocaris and pinworms.With the help of this study, the presence of almost all parasites in the human body can be detected.
Preparing for the study is not complicated.It is necessary to take the analysis in the morning, on an empty stomach after 8-10 hours of starvation.On the eve of the study, it is advisable not to take antibacterial and antihistamines, and also not to eat allergens (honey, seafood, exotic fruits and red berries, nuts).Immediately before donating blood, experts recommend relaxing in the laboratory waiting room for 10 to 15 minutes.
The results of the study become known after 1-2 days.These studies are carried out both as an initial diagnosis and as a control over treatment.
Opportunity detection and modern effective treatment of parasitic diseases avoid hazardous complications for health.