Parasites can be called natural companions of humans, because these creatures cannot live outside the body of the host. It is estimated that at least 70% of the world's population is infected with various types of helminths. Moreover, many people have been home to them since birth. At the same time, he is considering how to determine the presence of parasites in the body, about a third of all infected. The reason for that is low awareness of the population or lack of interest in the state of their health.
To avoid complications caused by parasites, it is important to recognize the infection in time.
According to statistics, more than 60% of people with parasitic infections accidentally find out about the problem, and only about 30% deliberately look for symptoms of helminthiasis and go to identify the problem with specialists.
Until recently, helminthiasis was commonly referred to as the disease of the poor, as hygienic skills are poorly embedded in these layers. However, with the growing interest in the problem by science, it turned out that such a definition is fundamentally wrong, because worms can be found in both farmers and reputable businessmen.
Why is coexistence with parasites dangerous?
Many people do not understand why they have to be tested for parasites, if there are no serious health problems? Why should you look for any disorders in your condition if they do not interfere with your normal lifestyle? Moreover, 8% of the population has a reasonable question - what if a person has learned to exist with parasites in their body? After all, evolution does not stand still, and what was once considered harmful may already be the norm.
Similar questions have been asked many times, and every doctor, even the most inexperienced, will say that a parasitic organism differs from a symbiont (a microorganism that peacefully exists in humans, which helps, for example, in more efficient processing and assimilation of food) in that it takes morethan it gives. In the human body, parasites generally behave as very unreliable and irresponsible hosts:
- clog it with toxins and slag;
- destroy natural defenses (immunity);
- deprive most of the nutrients;
- damage internal organs on a physical level.
This is what is called parasitism, ie the existence in the host's organism in order to get the maximum benefit for oneself, but without providing benefits for the host.
Timely detection of parasites helps to avoid many problems, including severe endocrine and hormonal disorders, dysfunction of internal organs, and even mental disorders.
What signs appear in parasites
Most parasitic life forms dangerous to humans live in the intestines and internal organs. They rarely come out in their original form, and therefore, during the preliminary diagnosis, the doctor takes into account only the external signs of their stay. Their presence can be determined by a combination of clinical manifestations.
In 99% of cases, the host body reacts violently to a dangerous neighborhood. Signals of worm infection can be various disorders of bodily functions, depending on which organ they live in. Since it can be difficult to detect parasites in their natural form, it is important to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Sudden onset of indigestion. They most often indicate that intestinal forms of helminths - round and tapeworms, lamblia and protozoal organisms - have begun to parasitize. This group of symptoms can be expressed by sudden constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, belching, indigestion. Another sign of intestinal helminthiasis is vague abdominal pain, which may not have a clear localization.
- Allergic reactions in the form of rashes, peeling skin, the appearance of spots. In most cases, it is impossible to discover the source of such a reaction, because tests for allergens show negative results. And only after the patient passes the test for the presence of parasites in the body, it becomes clear what caused the atypical immune response.
- General deterioration of well-being in the form of febrile conditions, fatigue, deterioration of sleep quality. Similar clinical manifestations of helminthiasis appear immediately after the invasion, as well as with its prolonged course. Since it is not possible to immediately identify parasites, many patients try to cope with these unpleasant phenomena with the help of folk remedies and symptomatic drugs. As a rule, they bring only temporary relief.
A certain group of signs inherent in diseases associated with worm infection can be found only in women. So, their hair and nails become dull and brittle. The skin also suffers from parasites - it becomes pale, pustules, age spots, peeling appear.
A rare woman associates cosmetic problems with helminths. Most of them say to the last: "I'm missing vitamins, hormonal imbalance, not worms! "
If you have the slightest suspicion that there are parasites in the body, how do you know exactly what caused their appearance? There are many self-diagnostic methods at home, as well as specialized ways to recognize worms.
How to recognize helminthiasis at home
About 70% of patients who assume they have helminths do not want to go to the doctor with this problem. And the point here is not that a man does not take care of his health. Until now, people have considered helminthiasis a shameful disease that can occur only in the lower strata of the population. However, experts say that quite prosperous people can acquire an insidious settler.
Since helminths mostly settle in the intestines, the only way to recognize their presence is to check for feces. This proven method was the basis for microscopic examination of feces, during which the doctor can detect worm eggs.
This is the simplest and cheapest way, and it can also be reported at home. However, it will not allow you to detect worm eggs due to their microscopic size.
How does self-testing work?
There are several rules on how to determine the presence of parasites in the human body in this way:
- The feces should be inspected several times, because the worms do not come out constantly, but periodically. Since different types of worms become active at different times of the day, it is worth collecting both morning and evening portions of feces. In the morning you can find pinworms, and in the evening you often come across larger worms - roundworms and tapeworms.
- A person examining helminth droppings should wear disposable medical gloves. Most helminths actively secrete eggs, which, if swallowed, can cause re-infection. It is important to protect yourself from this, even if you already have symptoms of a worm infection. Discard them after using gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- When examining feces, it is worth using an object, because parasites can be found not only on the surface, but also in the center of the feces. It is recommended to dispose of the stick or spatula after such use.
Finally, the most important rule for self-study of worm feces. It is recommended to collect the material in a special container, because it is unlikely that it will be possible to carefully check it in the toilet bowl or pot. As a last resort, you can cover the toilet bowl with plastic, empty it, and then carefully inspect the feces.
Experts recommend applying a small amount of material to the glass and then inspecting it from all sides in good lighting. This is how even the smallest parasites can be seen.
The result of self-examination of earthworm feces
It is necessary to talk about the 100% presence of helminthiasis if it can be found in the feces:
- live or immobile small worms;
- white or yellowish slices that look like cooked noodles with a slightly wavy edge;
- fragments that look like rice grains that can be mobile;
- large round worms of white or pink color.
All these signs indicate an infection with dangerous worms, which can lead to serious health problems, including sudden death. But even if the feces turn out to be "clean", and there are symptoms of helminthiasis, urgently consult a specialist in infectious diseases or a pediatrician (if signs of helminthiasis are noticed in a child).
Worm tests in the clinic
Since it is very difficult to find out for yourself whether there are parasites in the body, and the results of self-diagnosis are not very accurate, the diagnosis should be entrusted to professionals. A referral for the necessary tests is given by a doctor or a specialist in infectious diseases. If the child is bothered by signs of invasion, you can seek help from a pediatrician.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you must go through:
- microscopic analysis of feces (coprooscopy) - preferably three times at intervals of one week;
- scraping for enterobiosis;
- blood test for ELISA - one delivery is enough for a reliable diagnosis;
- fecal analysis PCR - prescribed when ambiguous results of microscopic examination of feces are obtained.
Also, the doctor may prescribe additional instrumental diagnostics. This usually happens when there is a suspicion of the presence of helminths in the parenchyma of the liver and bile ducts or in other internal organs. In the presence of worms, the tests will be positive (parasite eggs, their DNA, antibodies and antigens will be found in the material).
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed a treatment that can almost always be carried out at home (there are not many parasitic infections that require hospitalization). Therapy may be needed for all members of the worm carrier's family, as many species of these creatures are easily transmitted from person to person.