Starting with ancient protozoa and single-cell microorganisms, parasites serve as a form of existence.Humans have faced various parasites from the beginning of their survival, but in the midst of thousands of years of cohabitation, parasites have not become "smarter" and are more perfect for their ancestors.Parasites can cause irreparable health harm until severe disability or death develops.But when referring to the term “parasite,” everyone basically considers worms, although the term is broader.We will discuss parasites in more detail.
Parasite: Who are they?
Parasites are single- or multicellular organisms that live on their subject or interior (the body or cavity of the cell).They are usually much smaller in size than predatory representations in fauna and have the ability to reproduce and survive quickly under severe conditions.They also cause his damage at the expense of their master.In this way, they differ from symbiotes - living within their masters and benefiting from him.
In addition to harming oneself, many parasites can also spread dangerous diseases.For example, mosquitoes carry malaria and tickworms that carry tickworms – born with encephalitis and flaws.
The size of the parasite is significantly different - from microscopes to worms that can be seen only in microscopes, reaching a length of up to 10 m or higher.Parasites use various resources of owners - these are carbohydrates or proteins, fats, as well as minerals or vitamins to grow and develop.In the human body, parasites can pass through one or all stages of the life cycle – intermediate or final.The manifestation of infection will depend on this.
Most parasites have microscopic sizes and are difficult to detect.But certain types of parasite worms can form cysts of size on a child's head or reach a length of several meters.
Variety of parasites
Several types of parasites are distinguished.They depend on the habitat of human parasites:
Endoparasitic.They live in the body of the owner, and the typical representative is a worm (or worm).They can live in the intestines, in the body cavity.Intracellular or intercellular parasites affect certain human tissues, respectively.These include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
In order to spread endoparasitics, special conditions are required and sometimes carriers are required.creatures that bring them to a constant habitat.For example, for malaria, the vector would be a mosquito.
Exogenous.These creatures live on the surface of the owner's body and eat his biological media.Typical representatives are lice, flea, mosquito, and tick.
Preface.They parasitize on other parasites by forming super parasites.Therefore, fleas that feed on animal or human blood have protozoa in the intestines - the parasite itself already lives in insects.
Human parasite types
Although viruses, fungi and bacteria also harm a person in his body, they are considered pathogens of infectious diseases.The real parasites of people include:
Protozoa.These are single-celled organisms that can only be shared by the owners in the body.Examples are amoeba of dysentery, malaria parasite or chlamydia.
worm.These are different types of parasites - flat, tape, round and other worms.
Parasite insects.The group includes lice, flea, ticks, mosquitoes.
How does parasite infection manifest?
One of the unpleasant facts is that not all parasitic infections have typical symptoms.Therefore, if insect bites and lice are relatively simple, it is not always possible to determine the presence of worms or protozoa without special analysis.Sometimes it is similar to bronchitis or pneumonia, hormone imbalance, allergies, or food poisoning.Some parasites, in the intestine or abdominal cavity, abdominal pain, abdominal pain or cholecystitis.Among the most typical symptoms, experts distinguish:
- Rash, spots, bubbles, itching or bruising on the skin.
- Increase appetite or inhibitory effects and lose weight.
- Diarrhea and vomiting, various types of abdominal pain.
- Anemia (reduced levels of hemoglobin or red blood cells).
- Sleep Disorders - Insomnia or severe lethargy.
- Soreness in joints, muscles, skin.
- Allergic reactions that did not exist before.
- Generally discomfort, powerlessness, and irritability.
- Periodic temperatures up to high quantities or continuous sub-release heat.
However, these same manifestations are typical for many other non-parasitic diseases, so the diagnosis can confirm the detection of the parasite itself, its eggs or antibodies in the blood.
Important!Usually no symptoms for a long time and can occur after stress or infection, while the parasite spreads to the "critical mass".At the same time, many parasitic diseases are infectious and one person infects others without doubting it.This is especially likely if you ignore basic hygiene rules.
How do parasites spread?
Depending on the type of parasite, its diffusion path may vary.Often, the easiest transmission lives in a person's intestine, which often occurs in the feces-caliber pathway (for example, through infected food or water) from close contact with a person from humans.The easiest way to live in human blood or tissue is transmitted to others through insects (for example, through mosquito bites or sandy flies).
Many helmsmen in adults cannot reproduce among humans.People can be the last masters - adults live in it or in the middle - larvae live in it.Eggs or larvae are infected with food or water, particles of dust rise into the air.Additionally, parasites may be dropped by infected fish, meat and larvae-borne birds.
Epiparasitics - Lice and sores are transmitted through communication and close contact with infected children or adults.Arthropods act not only as provocateurs of the disease itself, but also as carriers of serious diseases - malaria, typhus, tickworms - born encephalitis, and so on.
Parasite infections cause a large number of diseases in tropical and subtropical and milder climates.Of all parasitic diseases, malaria is the cause of most deaths in the world.About 660,000 people die from malaria each year, most of whom are children.
How to identify parasites?
Of course, if these are pubic or head lice, S-worm, or pinworm found by parents in baby pots-the diagnosis is already obvious, you only need to receive treatment.However, most parasites need to be identified first, to determine exactly who they are, and only then can they choose an effective and safe treatment.
Today, various types of laboratory tests can be used to diagnose parasitic diseases.The type of research the subject doctor will prescribe depends on your symptoms and complaints, any other illness you can have, and your history of traveling abroad or nationwide.The diagnosis can be complicated, so the doctor can not only prescribe tests, but also other procedures.A list of some common tests that can be prescribed when diagnosing parasites:
Study on feces to detect parasites or eggs.This analysis is used to identify parasites that cause diarrhea, fluid or water feces, stomach cramps, flatulence and other celiac diseases.It is recommended to explore three or more fecal samples that are sometimes collected.
Blood tests on parasite antibodies, according to so-called diagnosis, urine tests, blood crops and some other tests.When analyzing blood, some but not all of them can be found in parasitic infections.However, in this case, a specific parasitic infection of the blood will be checked.There is no blood test to determine all parasitic infections.Doctors can prescribe two main types of blood tests:
Serology.The test is used to find antibodies or antigens produced when the body is infected with a parasite, while the immune system tries to fight the invaders.
Apply blood.This test is used to identify parasites found in the blood.Looking at a blood smear under a microscope can diagnose parasitic diseases such as Friliatosis, malaria, or Babusiosis.The test was performed by placing blood droplets on a microscope glass.The glass of the subject is then painted under a microscope and examined.
In addition to testing, doctors can prescribe other studies.Endoscopy is used to detect parasites that cause diarrhea, fluid or water feces, abdominal cramps, flatulence and other symptoms in the abdominal cavity.It is used when the study of the stool does not reveal the cause of diarrhea.During the oral (endoscopy) or rectal (colonoscopy), a tube with a camera and a backlight is introduced so that the doctor can check the intestine.The test is looking for parasites or other abnormalities that can cause unpleasant symptoms.
X-ray images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), calculated axial tomography (KAT).These tests are used to find parasitic diseases that may cause organs.
How to treat it?
When an accurate diagnosis is known, it is easier to choose treatment.Almost all parasite diseases are cured today.However, treatment of helminthosis is multi-stage and will require the patient's time.
In the first stage, the body should be prepared and cleansed from accumulated toxins.Patient prescribed adsorbent.Cleansing the toxin body lasts for at least five days.
In the second phase, the deworming medicine is prescribed to the patient.It's better if you choose some type of parasite.The treatment was conducted in two courses.The first course of treatment will kill adults with worms in the human body.After 10-14 days, adult worms will be replaced by new worms that will hatch from stratified eggs.The second road will kill new individuals.
In the third stage, the digestive tract, liver and immune system are restored.After prescribing an adsorbent for the patient and taking drugs that help the digestive tract.Add polyvit protein at the same time.
Sometimes the disease can be fired or has a special form that requires surgical intervention.Therefore, for example, in the presence of echinococcal cysts in the liver, kidney, or lung, only their removal will help.
Doctors choose the entire treatment, medications and other procedures based on the patient's diagnosis, age and weight.