The life activity of people is closely connected with a variety of microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly inside them.
According to some studies, each of us is home to approximately 100 trillion.all kinds 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, pneumocystis, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods - mites, insects and others.
Their initial task is considered to be a secretive existence.That is why many of them are difficult to detect immediately; sometimes a disease caused by a parasitic organism can last for years without 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 needs to be tested for parasites once a year.
A range of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms
First of all, the presence of parasites in the human body is indicated by:
- Any disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general fatigue, as a result of the lack of required microelements sucked out by the pest.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations - runny nose, rash, cough caused by unreasonable factors (the cause will often be called parasite waste).
- Weight loss with adequate nutrition.
- Dull skin due to the absence or deficiency of essential vitamins due to their absorption by parasites.
- Itching in the anus (a sign of enterobiasis caused by pinworms).
- Problems with nails 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 studies of dysfunctions.
Tests for detecting parasites in adults
It is impossible to capture the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms in one specific and inexpensive survey method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often carried out.
Moreover, the following can be diagnosed: urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissue areas of the human body.
Let's consider the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological coprogram
Fecal parasite testing involves using a microscope to examine a 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 effectiveness when detecting harmful organisms living in the intestines.
Allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm disease, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and others.
For a detailed analysis of stool to identify parasites, fecal matter is collected in a jar issued at a hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is filled to a third, taking into account the fact that foreign substances (blood, urine) should not get into it.
Collection is made until 11.00 am.If fecal matter is stored in the refrigerator, it can be examined within 8 hours.But in the best case, the collected material must be transferred to the laboratory within an hour.When donating stool, you need to sign your jar.
Before donating fecal matter, the patient needs to prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintic drugs, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be remembered that before the collection procedure, both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited, and the consumption of fatty foods should be eliminated four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnosis is one of the cheapest, but the information content of the examination often does not reflect the true picture after a single check.
The laying of eggs by helminths does not occur every night, so this test is carried out 2-4 times with an interval of 3-5 days.If several tests given give negative results, then you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestines.
Scraping
The main and simplest examination for enterobiasis.Its meaning is to detect pinworm eggs, which lay them in huge quantities in the anus at night.
A smear is taken with a special spatula or a regular moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply the tape to the anus and perineum area, and then stick it on a specially prepared clean glass.
Before taking tests for parasites, they must be sealed in a clean bag and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.When stored in the refrigerator, the material remains suitable for five hours.
Scraping, like examining stool for parasites, is a cheap examination, but only detects one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably informs about the presence of a specific pest in a person.In the process of their harmful life activity, microorganisms release various toxins, and our body responds with antibodies.
Often parasites live in the liver and lungs and cannot be detected in any other way.
The following blood tests are distinguished:
- for the causative agent of trichinosis;
- enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
- general;
- on Giardia;
- for the causative agent of echinococci;
- on the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- on the causative agent of toxocariasis.
Each of these studies accurately determines the presence of harmful creatures and the degree of organ damage using antibodies.But to choose which tests for parasites you need to take, you always need to see a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of parasitic pinworms or roundworms.And, for example, detecting an increased amount of immunoglobulin antibodies using ELISA for parasites allows diagnosing any type of helminth 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 parasites.
Before donating blood for analysis, you must first stop taking all medications that could have a detrimental effect on the study.It is advisable to consult your doctor about this.
The day before the test, be sure to exclude fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks and all kinds of sweets from the diet.The procedure itself takes place in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an amount of approximately 4 ml from the cubital vein.The results of the study are usually ready after 2-3 days, but identifying some parasitic organisms will take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites using other methods
In rare cases, to obtain an accurate picture of the development of the disease, a specialist prescribes:
- chest x-ray- shows calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pork tapeworm;
- computed tomography of the chest— will display calcifications, as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infection with harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to combat pests with prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven food;
- subject meat and fish to thorough heat treatment;
- Maintain intimate hygiene regularly.
But even following all the rules does not guarantee 100% security.That is why you should not ignore the symptoms, but should immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary research.