Doctors recommend regular blood tests for parasites, as it is not always possible to protect yourself against parasite infection despite compliance with hygiene regulations. For preventive purposes, this procedure must be carried out for both children and adults. Helminths can be in the human body for more than a dozen years without showing symptoms. To determine the presence of parasites, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis.
Paths of infection
Worms can enter the body in a number of ways. Doctors identify four main routes:
- through the soil, and then water (helminths get into the soil along with feces);
- from person to person through contact;
- from raw, poorly cooked meat or fish;
- by means of insects.
Worms cannot reproduce in the human body. Each type of helminth has a specific lifespan.
An increase in the number of worms in the body only occurs when they are re-infected. To reduce the risk of infection, people need to practice good hygiene.
Symptoms of worm infestation
General signs of the presence of worms in the human body are manifested by severe weight loss, pale skin, a person is concerned about itching in the anus. But there are also other manifestations that are disguised as other diseases.
- Disorders of the digestive tract. The person is concerned about stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. During vital activity, some worms secrete certain substances that cause diarrhea.
- Disruption of the normal functioning of the nervous system. Helminths release toxins that can cause poisoning of the body. This, in turn, has a negative effect on the state of the nervous system.
- Allergic reaction. A person infected with worms may have a rash on their body.
- Decreased immunity. As a result of the weak defense of the body, comorbidities can occur in humans.
There is an opinion that when a person grinds their teeth or snores at night, their body is affected by helminths, but this data has not been scientifically confirmed.
If one or more of the symptoms listed is present, the body must be diagnosed for the presence of worms. You will need to do a blood test for parasites.
Basic diagnostic methods
There are several ways to diagnose helminths in the human body.
Stool Analysis
Stool analysis is the traditional method of detecting worms. During the study, doctors found the worms' eggs. To confirm the diagnosis, you will need to donate feces again. However, the analysis shown is not a reliable diagnostic method because the worms may not lay eggs for a long time.
blood test
A blood test for parasites is a more reliable method and allows you to spot worms early on. All processes that take place in the human body are reflected in the blood. This type of diagnosis makes it possible not only to identify worms, but also to determine their type. In the presence of worms in the blood, you can find their waste products.
When parasites are present in the body, large numbers of eosinophils are found in the blood. The diagnosis must be confirmed by additional research methods. There are many types of blood tests that can be called differently.
Scraping on enterobiasis
In order to detect pinworms in the body, the doctor prescribes a scraping for enterobiasis for the patient. During the procedure, the doctor will run a cotton swab over the folds of skin near the anus. The resulting sample is sent to the laboratory for further research. The same procedure is done with tape that is applied to the folds. Then the tape is put on the glass, glued and removed, and the glass itself is sent to the laboratory.
Immunoassay blood test
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a special study that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of helminths in children and adults. This method can be used to detect both microscopic and large parasites. This analysis for parasites is based on looking for antibodies.
Blood for the enzyme immunoassay is taken from a vein. Then it is centrifuged and the blood serum examined.
ELISA results provide complete information about the presence of helminths in the body and their type.
The enzyme immunoassay consists of two main components:
- immune response;
- enzymatic reaction.
Thanks to the immune response, it is possible to detect the presence of parasites and find out what type of worms has settled in the body. The enzymatic reaction allows a more detailed study of the identified type of helminth and the visual measurement of the data obtained.
In response to the invasion of a foreign body, the body reacts by producing antibodies against it.
If the body is damaged by worms in the blood, antibodies against toxins and waste products of worms develop. This technique is based on examining these antibodies.
The blood test takes 2-4 days. It can be done in any state clinic. It is also possible to do a similar study in private clinics.
What other analyzes are there?
In addition to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, parasites can be determined in other ways.
The following blood tests will be used for the study:
- indirect hemagglutination reaction;
- immunofluorescence reaction.
Both methods are also used to determine antibodies in blood serum.
To make a diagnosis, you must donate blood from a vein. Then it is immediately taken to the laboratory. These informative methods can indicate the extent of the worm infestation.
How to prepare for the test
Blood for parasites should be donated in the morning. It is advisable not to eat anything before the procedure - although food intake is insignificant, it can still affect the end result of the study.
On the day of the parasite test, only the intake of water is permitted.
In addition to these basic rules, to get the most reliable results, you must consider the following recommendations before passing the ELISA analysis.
- You must stop taking medication three days before the analysis. Let's only take the drugs that are vital for the body.
- Before the procedure, you shouldn't exert yourself physically or emotionally.
- It is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages and strong coffee the day before the procedure.
- If anti-parasitic therapy was carried out on the eve of the test, it is better to temporarily postpone the procedure.
- Physiotherapy procedures can affect the test result. Therefore, two procedures should be skipped prior to the time of the ELISA blood test.
A correctly performed analysis shows absolutely all parasites that are present in the human body.
How to protect yourself from worms
Worms, in most cases, get into the body through dirty hands, so it is necessary to pay attention to their hygiene.
Vegetables and fruits bought at the markets must be washed thoroughly. According to the conducted studies, eggs from worms often accumulate on vegetables and fruits.
Be careful when buying meat and fish. It is important to only buy meat that has passed veterinary inspection. Meat and fish should be cooked thoroughly.
If there are animals in the house, you should always wash your hands afterwards. Pets should regularly take prophylaxis against worms.