Human life is closely related to various microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly in it.
According to some studies, each of us is home to approximately 100 trillionall types of unicellular organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live through their hosts are classified as parasites, with fungi, bacteria, and viruses being distinguished separately.
Pests in the human body can be divided into types:
- protozoa - amoeba, plasmodia, pneumocysts, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths - parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods - mites, insects, etc.
Their original task is considered to be a secret existence.That is why many of them are difficult to detect immediately;sometimes an illness caused by a parasitic organism can go on for years without any visible signs or complications.
According to some studies, approximately 85% of humanity is infected with worms, and many do not even know about it.
Therefore, every adult should be examined for parasites once a year.
A set of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms
First of all, the presence of parasites in the human body is determined by:
- Any disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract can indicate worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general lethargy, as a result of the lack of the necessary trace elements sucked by the pest.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations - runny nose, rash, cough, caused by unreasonable factors (the cause will often be called parasitic waste).
- Lose weight with proper nutrition.
- Dark skin due to lack or deficiency of essential vitamins due to their absorption by parasites.
- Itching in the anus (a sign of enterobiosis caused by pinworms).
- Nail problems and cracked heels.
Individual cases do not always mean the presence of harmful organisms in a person, but if several signs are combined, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible for advice and conduct appropriate tests for dysfunctions.
Tests to detect parasites in adults
It is impossible to cover the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms with one specific and inexpensive test method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often performed.
In addition, urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissue areas of the human body can be diagnosed.
Let's look at the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological coprogram
Fecal parasite testing involves using a microscope to examine the patient's fecal matter for the presence of larvae, eggs, or fragments of mature parasites.
Using this method, many types of worms can be identified, but it shows maximum efficiency in detecting harmful organisms living in the intestine.
It allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm, trichuriasis, enterobiosis and others.
For a detailed analysis of feces to identify parasites, feces are collected in a jar issued in a hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is filled up to a third, taking into account the fact that foreign substances (blood, urine) should not fall into it.
The collection takes place until 11.00.If feces are stored in a refrigerator, they can be examined within 8 hours.But at best, the collected material should be transported to the laboratory within an hour.When donating a stool, you must sign your jar.
Before donating fecal mass, the patient must prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintic drugs, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It must be remembered that both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited before the collection procedure, and the consumption of fatty foods must be eliminated four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnostics is one of the cheapest, but the informativeness of the study often does not reflect the true picture after a single check.
Egg laying by helminths does not happen every night, so this test is carried out 2-4 times with an interval of 3-5 days.If several given tests give negative results, then you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestines.
Scraping
The basic and simplest review about enterobiosis.Its purpose is to detect the eggs of pinworms, which lay them in huge quantities in the anus at night.
The smear is taken with a special spatula or an ordinary moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully place the tape in the area of the anus and perineum and then stick it on specially prepared clean glass.
Before taking parasite tests, they should be sealed in a clean bag and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.When stored in the refrigerator, the material remains good for five hours.
A scraping, like a stool test for parasites, is an inexpensive test, but it only detects one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably informs about the presence of a certain pest in a person.In the process of their harmful vital activity, microorganisms release various toxins, and our body reacts with antibodies.
Often the parasites live in the liver and lungs and cannot be detected in any other way.
The following blood tests differ:
- for the causative agent of trichinellosis;
- enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
- general;
- of Giardia;
- for the causative agent of echinococci;
- on the causative agent of ascariasis;
- about the causative agent of opisthorchosis;
- on the causative agent of toxocarosis.
Each of these tests accurately determines the presence of harmful organisms and the extent of organ damage using antibodies.But to choose which parasite tests to take, you should always see a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately show the presence of parasitic pinworms or roundworms.And for example, the detection of an increased amount of immunoglobulin antibodies using ELISA for parasites allows diagnosing any type of helminths in the human body with 90% accuracy.
The main thing is to contact an experienced specialist who will tell you what kind of analysis you need to identify the parasites.
Before donating blood for analysis, you must first stop taking any medications that could have a harmful effect on the test.It is recommended to consult your doctor about this.
On the day before the test, do not forget to exclude from the diet fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks and any sweets.The procedure itself is carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an amount of about 4 ml from the cubital vein.Test results are usually ready in 2-3 days, but identification of some parasitic organisms will take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites with other methods
In rare cases, in order to obtain an accurate picture of the development of the disease, the specialist prescribes:
- chest x-ray- shows calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pig tapeworm;
- computed tomography of the chest— will show calcifications as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infestation with harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to fight pests with prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven food;
- subject meat and fish to complete heat treatment;
- Maintain regular intimate hygiene.
But even following all the rules does not guarantee 100% security.That is why you should not ignore the symptoms, but immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary tests.