Human life activity is closely related to a variety of microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly in it.
According to some studies, there are about 100 trillion people living in each of us.all types of single-celled organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live in their hosts are classified as parasites, with fungi, bacteria and viruses being distinguished separately.
Pests in the human body can be divided into the following types:
- Protozoa – Amoeba, Plasmodium, Pneumocystis, Lamblia, Trypanosomes and others;
- Helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods - mites, insects and others.
Their original purpose is seen as a mysterious existence.This is why many of them are difficult to recognize immediately;Sometimes an illness caused by a parasite can last for years without any visible signs or complications.
According to some studies, about 85% of humanity is infected with worms, and many do not even know about it.
Therefore, every adult must be tested for parasites once a year.
A range of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms
The presence of parasites in the human body is initially indicated by:
- Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract can indicate worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general fatigue due to the lack of necessary microelements that the pest sucks out.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations – runny nose, rash, cough caused by unreasonable factors (the cause is often called parasitic 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.
Isolated cases do not always mean the presence of harmful organisms in a person, but when several signs are combined, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and conduct appropriate examinations for functional disorders.
Tests to detect parasites in adults
It is impossible to cover the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms in a specific and cost-effective survey method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often carried out.
In addition, 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 examining a patient's stool using a microscope for the presence of larvae, eggs, or fragments of mature parasites.
This method can be used to identify many types of worms, but it is most effective when detecting harmful organisms living in the intestines.
Allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm disease, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and others.
For a detailed stool analysis to identify parasites, the feces are collected in a container issued at a hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is one third full, taking into account that no foreign substances (blood, urine) are allowed to get into it.
Collection takes place by 11 a.m.If feces are stored in the refrigerator, they can be examined within 8 hours.However, in the best case scenario, the collected material must be transferred to the laboratory within an hour.If you donate stool, you will need to sign your jar.
Before the patient can donate feces, he or she must prepare.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintics, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be noted that before the sampling procedure, both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited, and consumption of fatty foods should be avoided four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnosis is one of the most cost-effective, but the information provided by the examination after a one-time check often does not reflect the true picture.
Egg laying by helminths does not occur every night, so this test is carried out 2-4 times with an interval of 3-5 days.If multiple tests are negative, you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestines.
Scrape
The most important and simplest test for enterobiasis.Its meaning is to detect pinworm eggs, which they lay in large quantities in the anus at night.
The smear is carried out using a special spatula or a normally moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply the tape to the anus and perineum area, and then stick it to a specially prepared clean glass.
Before testing for parasites, they must be sealed in a clean bag and delivered to the laboratory as quickly as possible.If stored in the refrigerator, the material will last for five hours.
Scraping, like examining the stool for parasites, is an inexpensive test, but only detects one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Any type of blood test reliably provides information about the presence of a particular pest in a person.As part of their harmful life activity, microorganisms release various toxins and our body reacts with antibodies.
Parasites often 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);
- generally;
- on Giardia;
- for the pathogen of echinococci;
- about the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- about the causative agent of toxocariasis.
Each of these studies uses antibodies to accurately determine the presence of harmful creatures and the degree of organ damage.But in order to decide which tests for parasites you need to take, you always need to consult a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of parasitic pinworms or roundworms.And, for example, detection of an increased amount of immunoglobulin antibodies using ELISA for parasites makes it possible to diagnose any type of helminths in the human body with an accuracy of 90%.
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 any medications that could have a detrimental effect on the study.It is advisable to consult your doctor about this.
The day before the test, you should definitely exclude fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks and all kinds of sweets from your diet.The procedure itself takes place in the morning on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an amount of approximately 4 ml from the elbow vein.The results of the study are usually available after 2-3 days, but the identification of some parasitic organisms may take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites using other methods
In order to get an accurate picture of the course of the disease, a specialist in rare cases prescribes:
- Chest x-ray- shows calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, suggesting the presence of a pork tapeworm;
- Computed tomography of the chest— will have calcifications and areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasonic- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
An infection with harmful creatures always brings with it many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to fight pests through prevention, which consists of simple measures:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven foods;
- subject meat and fish to thorough heat treatment;
- Pay attention to intimate hygiene regularly.
But even compliance with all the rules does not guarantee 100% safety.That is why you should not ignore the symptoms, but immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary examinations.