Parasitic infections are a large group of diseases caused by pathogens which are micro-organisms of class of protozoa, and helminths (worms). We know today more than 200 species of parasites, of which 70 species are found in european countries and Russia.
Parasites introduced into the human body, develop and exist due to the "exploitation" of the resources of his body, instead of poisoning the products of their life and causing many dysfunction of organs and systems.
The first phase of development worm infestations diagnosis of the disease is virtually impossible, as the other person does not feel the presence of parasites and their state of health is satisfactory.
Even after some time, the person is not yet experiencing a discomfort due to the presence of parasites in the body, only, sometimes, may, however, be minor defects in the functioning of certain organs and systems. In this case, an important factor is the attention to their health. In fact, even a slight discomfort can be the first alarm bell about the development begins with the disease.
Most often the infection is diagnosed by chance, following a routine examination, or even when the man has sought medical attention resulting from the dynamics of the aggravation of the general condition.
The classification of the parasites
All parasites are divided into:
- the micro-organisms of the most simple (giardia, Toxoplasma gondii, the dysentery amoeba);
- helminths (pinworms, ascaris, Toxocara)
Helminth very diverse group of parasites, which is characterized by different life cycles, to biological differences, the spread within the organization and specific development. Therefore, classify the helminth parasites on different principles: the structure, the life cycle, as a function of the location of parasites and the duration of the interaction with the host organism.
According to the biological principles can be distinguished:
- Bio-helminths (wave and tsepen, Echinococcus, opisthorchis). The life cycle of these parasites must be two or even three intermediate hosts, it is to other living organisms.
- Geo-helminths (ascaris, whipworm, Ancylostoma). In its development process do not require modification of the host, they are displayed with the influx in the environment and are located in the soil at a certain temperature and humidity in the eggs develop larvae. The eggs, which are alive, the larvae penetrate into the body and moves to the next stage of their development.
- Contact helminth (pinworm, dwarfish tsepen) of the noisy data to stand out in an environment with influx, and in the case of non-observance of personal hygiene, infection occurs by oral-fecal severe way, then there are eggs of these parasites of the human ingests it. The main source of infection is dirty hands.
According to the structure of helminths are divided into:
- nematode or roundworm (pinworm, roundworm,whipworm);
- the trematodes or gill parasites (schistosoma, opisthorchis, cat and the fluke);
- cestodes or tapeworms (Echinococcus, wave and tsepen).
According to their location in the body can be distinguished:
- helminth, intestinal (pinworm, roundworm, wave, and swine tsepen);
- out-of-intestinal disorders (alveolar, opisthorchiasis,: trichinella).
The route of infection by parasites
There are different ways to infection by worms:
- The consumption of meat, which do not have the quality of heat treatment, meat can be parasites, which are fixed in the muscles of cattle and small ruminants by eating meat, people infected with the porcine and bovine tapeworm, Echinococcus.
- The consumption of salty foods, smoked, little solo, and the raw fish. In the raw fish are opisthorchis and broad tapeworm, because the life cycle of these parasites involves changing several owners, one of which is a fish.
- The consumption of raw water from unknown sources, washing dishes, washing the vegetables and fruits in this water, for example, on vacation.
- Working in the garden without protective gloves geo-helminth parasites can get on hands and by the hands in the mouth. You can also get this kind of parasites by dirty vegetables, herbs and berries.
- By the contact with a pet. Dogs and cats are carriers and transmitters of many parasites. Above all we must not let the pet to save it in a bed with people or to allow them to lick the face and hands of the man.
- The source of the infection can become a person infected acute helminth.
The symptoms of worms in adults
The signs of helminths of man are manifested already at an advanced stage of development of the infection. Of course, some of these signals, the body is already at the beginning of the disease, especially, at the time to pay attention and interpret correctly. The first steps of the penetration of the parasites in the body of a person might experience minor symptoms, you can take as a consequence of other diseases:
- fatigue;
- frequent headaches;
- increasing weakness;
- irritability;
- sleep disorders;
- the reduction of weight for no apparent reason;
- apathy and depression.
The next development step of worm infestation observed the allergy of the body. On the pidermes of the patient appear to be different type of precipitation, and the clinical research of blood detects an increase of eosinophils, showing the development of an allergic reaction.
When the parasite becomes an adult and is localized in an organ, symptoms characteristics of the area of the presence of parasites. The more often the helminths are located in a thin or large intestine, therefore, if you encounter any specific problems in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of diarrheal disease (the fermentation and the phenomena of putrefaction):
- the pain in the region of the navel;
- the loss or deterioration of appetite;
- in some cases, increased appetite;
- flatulence, rumbling and gurgling in the abdomen;
- constipation and diarrhea;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- bloating.
It is the development of anemia and IMR, because the people are suffering from a lack of nutrients, which stops the parasites. In this case, the person feels:
- the chronic fatigue;
- dizziness;
- a tragedy of weakness;
- headache.
In severe severe cases, one observes the development of serious diseases, requiring emergency treatment:
- allergic myocarditis;
- meningo-encephalitis;
- pneumonia;
- hepatitis b, or the violation of hemostasis;
- haematuria (blood in the urine);
- a decrease of the body's defenses (immune system malfunction);
- disruption of the endocrine system;
- the defeat of the lymph nodes.
A decrease of the defenses of the organism increases the probability of developing viral and bacterial infections. And the children of parasites cause a delay in physical growth and mental development. The symptoms of worms of man are of a general nature, however, the different types of parasites and their location in the body promotes the development of characteristic symptoms of the organs.
The clinical picture during the infestation of different types of parasites
According to the worm living in the body, the symptoms can be very diverse.
For example, if the enterobiasis of the main symptoms are:
- itching in the region of the anus;
- the pain in the abdomen;
- wolverina in girls, when the impact of parasites on the mucous membrane of the vagina.
The initial phase of ascariasis, which is called migration, is manifested in the form of:
- respiratory diseases: bronchitis, laryngitis, or tracheitis.
When the form intestinal ascariasis are observed:
- nausea and vomiting;
- the pain in the abdomen;
- decreased appetite;
- a rash on the skin;
- the growth of eosinophils in the blood.
Heavy cases can occur:
- the violation of the integrity of the wall of the intestine;
- with subsequent development of peritonitis and appendicitis (in case of contact with ascaris in the appendix);
- lesions of the liver;
- obstruction of the intestine (with the occlusion of the lumen of the gut).
During the infection by the cestode (tape worms) in the process of defecation with the influx are put in evidence the parasite. In this case, the following symptoms are observed:
- nausea and vomiting;
- increasing weakness;
- dizziness and headaches;
- constipation and diarrhea;
- the pain in the abdomen;
- a reduction of the mass of the body.
During the progression of the disease is observed the development of severe anaemia, as it is called By a lack of vitamin b12, and iron.
Opisthorchis their presence in the body can cause serious defeat of the bile ducts of the liver, the gallbladder and ducts of the pancreas. Since the presence of parasites in these organs is a barrier to the flow of bile, and then develops a cholecystitis; biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis. The inflammatory processes in these organs are accompanied by an increase of the temperature, the weight in the right upper quadrant, pain in the area of the gall bladder (colic liver), nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. The presence of Trichinella in the body causes a severe defeat of the intercostal muscle of mastication, the muscles of the tongue, throat, eyes, diaphragm.
Hookworm, whipworm, and schistosoma, broad tapeworm cause in the body of the anemia, dysbiosis of the gut, the beriberi, a disease that is metabolic. And when the urine-sexual schistosomiasis you receive this type of symptom, such as urinating blood.
When alveococcosis, Echinococcusoz, cysticercosis first stage involves virtually asymptomatic, but in the acute phase, the development proceeds to suppuration and rupture of small cysts of parasites, which leads to very serious consequences:
- the peritonitis;
- pleurisy;
- anaphylactic shock;
- vascular lesions and chronic bleeding (hookworm feed on blood);
- the defeat of the central nervous system.
The roundworm Strongyloides cause the development of allergic reactions, the pathology of the biliary tract, and disturbances in BOWEL functioning.
The test helps you to determine the presence of parasites in the body
With the help of this test can reveal the presence of parasites in the body. To do this, you just need to answer the following questions:
- Do you have any itching in the region of the anus?
- Are there rashes on the skin?
- Do you feel nauseous?
- Happens vomiting?
- If the insomnia?
- Is there bitterness in the mouth? And how many times?
- Lymph nodes increased?
- How often produce muscle pain? What is their intensity?
- Is there a body weight loss?
- Is there a loss of appetite?
- If symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, decreased concentration, and integrity?
If you have received 10 answers in the affirmative, we can assume the existence of a worm infection with a high degree of probability. All of these symptoms are observed in the acute phase of the disease. Because, in this period, the worms are more active and impacts on the organization.
The prevention of anti-parasitic infestations
Prevention of worms before it all comes down to the observance of rules of personal hygiene:
- the washing of the hands;
- the frequent change of laptop, and the linen;
- in a timely manner and the quality of service of cleaning of premises;
- the use of everyday objects: towels, dishes, etc;
- delivery in the deworming of domestic animals;
- the quality of thermal processing of meat products and fish;
- the refusal of consuming raw fish, carefully take in food, dried, salted, smoked, and few solo fish;
- all gardening work stored with protection gloves;
- use only clean water to drink;
- do not swim in pools;
- do medical prevention of worms twice a year: in spring and in autumn.