Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body;Symptoms may not appear for years, so most people do not even realize that they are carriers of some harmful organism.There are many types of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their eating habits.Unlike bacteria that participate in digestion and symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause several diseases in the course of their lives.
The main types of parasites found in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body, and they can enter the body in many different ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food thoroughly enough to avoid catching such parasites, but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures cannot completely protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of parasite.
The diversity of endoparasites in adults is such that not all possible invasions are currently studied.More than 250 species of parasitic worms alone are now known, and they can live not only in the intestines but also in other organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, muscle fibers, hair and nails.In fact, any organ of the human body can easily become a home for many types of parasites.There are quite a few types of parasites commonly found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, each year about 100 million people are infected with this parasite.As a rule, damage occurs from eating unwashed vegetables, as well as through contaminated objects.Roundworms attack the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.Can be spread not only by humans, but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite among children.As a rule, infection occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc.Pinworms live in the large and small intestines.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes larger than 1 cm.
- Tapeworm.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, porcine, dog, dwarf tapeworms, as well as broad tapeworms.These creatures do not have their own digestive system, so they suck nutrients from their bodies.These organisms especially love vitamin B12 and folic acid, so patients with such parasites have a significant deficiency of these elements.
- Toxocara.A parasite that commonly affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with animals.The length of an adult individual can be 30 cm.Almost all organs and tissues can be affected, but the prognosis is especially poor if the eyeball is affected, as this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye.
- Alveococcus and Echinococcus.These microorganisms usually enter the human body through contact with a carrier or its feces.Often the carrier is a fox.In the human body, these parasites can invade any organ but they especially love the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Cyst rupture can cause acute allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks a lot like roundworms.Infection often occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites can be up to 40 cm long.Can affect most organs and tissues.During their lives, they release toxic waste into the blood.The representative of roundworms is Trichinella, the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and severe, leading to death in 30% of cases.
- Roundworm.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalus disease.Damage occurs when consuming food and water contaminated with pathogen eggs.In addition, infection can occur through household objects.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary walls of the intestines.The lifespan of the parasite is about 5 years.
- Trematodes.This is a common type of flatworm that can parasitize lung tissue, blood vessels, intestines and liver.As a rule, infection with these parasites occurs from eating inadequately processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasitic infection
Parasites, in order to live normally in the human body, attach to the walls of organs made of chitin, hooks, bristles, suction cups, irritating tissues, causing an inflammatory process.Additionally, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste products, and under certain conditions can eat healthy tissue, causing widespread damage.
Parasites can exist for a long time in the body without causing obvious manifestations, but in case of frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other adverse conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are many common symptoms in people infected with parasites, including:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue;
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- problems with stool;
- headaches and migraines;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations;
- insomnia;
- decreased immune system;
- allergic reaction;
- increased anxiety;
- reduced performance.
The degree of intensity of manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasite, but also on the degree of their damage to certain tissues.For example, if there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of suffocation may occur.In cases where the parasite causes brain damage, the manifestations can be very diverse, including convulsions, convulsions, etc.Signs of the presence of parasites in the human body may not manifest obvious symptoms for a long time, therefore, to accurately determine the presence of parasites, preventive diagnostics should be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treatment of parasitic infections
To effectively treat a parasitic infection, it is necessary to first determine the type of parasite.Commonly used to identify parasites:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histology program;
- blood scan;
- Serological research.
All medical anthelmintics can be divided into those containing chemical synthetic substances and herbal medicines.Treating parasitic infections is often an extremely difficult task, since chemicals, although effective in most cases, are still highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites, but also for the human body.An antiparasitic medication regimen should be prescribed by your doctor after determining the type of parasite.Preparations made from herbs are safer because they contain natural toxins that are intolerant to parasites but are not dangerous to humans.However, the disadvantages of these agents include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasites.
Methods of preventing parasitic infections
In fact, completely protecting yourself from parasite infection is extremely difficult, as their eggs are extremely resilient and can survive without a host for long periods of time.At the same time, there are a number of rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you need to pay attention to hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
In addition, you should always carry antibacterial wipes with you, which will be very useful in situations where it is not possible to wash your hands or disinfect surfaces.
Products should be purchased only in specialized stores that have all certificates confirming their safety.All vegetables, including leafy vegetables and fruits, must be scalded with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry as well as fish and crustaceans must be cooked properly.If planning to boil or fry, it is very important not to taste raw meat.Fish meat that is not salted enough can be infected with parasites, so you should not eat these dishes if they have not been soaked in salt solution for enough time.
If there are pets in the house, they should be vaccinated against the disease to protect the animal and its owner from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect the presence of parasites help avoid dangerous complications.