The vital activity of people is closely connected with a variety of microorganisms that not only populate the external environment, but also live directly inside them.
According to some studies, each of us is home to around 100 trillion people.all types of unicellular organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live through their hosts are classified as parasites, distinguishing fungi, bacteria and viruses separately.
Parasites in the human body can be divided into types:
- protozoa: amoeba, plasmodia, pneumocystis, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods: mites, insects and others.
Their initial task is considered to be a secret existence.That's why many of them are difficult to spot immediately;Sometimes an illness caused by a parasitic organism can last for years without visible signs or complications.
According to some studies, about 85% of humanity is infected with worms and many are not even aware of it.
Therefore, every adult must be tested for parasites once a year.
A series of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms
First of all, the presence of parasites in the human body is indicated by:
- Any disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate the presence of worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general fatigue, due to the lack of the necessary microelements sucked in by the parasite.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations: runny nose, rash, cough caused by unreasonable factors (the cause will often be called parasitic waste).
- Weight loss with proper 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.
Individual cases do not always indicate the presence of harmful organisms in a person, but if several signs are combined, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible for advice and conduct appropriate studies of dysfunctions.
Test for the detection of parasites in adults
It is impossible to capture the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms with a specific and economical investigation method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often carried out.
In addition, it is possible to diagnose: urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissue areas of the human body.
Consider the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological coprogram
Fecal parasite testing involves using a microscope to examine a patient's fecal matter for the presence of larvae, eggs, or fragments of mature parasites.
Using this method you can identify many types of worms, but it shows the greatest effectiveness in detecting harmful organisms living in the intestine.
It allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm disease, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and others.
For a detailed analysis of feces to identify parasites, fecal matter is collected in a jar provided at the hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is filled up to a third, taking into account the fact that no foreign substances (blood, urine) should enter it.
The collection is carried out until 11:00.If fecal matter is stored in the refrigerator, it can be examined within 8 hours.But in the best case, the collected material must be transferred to the laboratory within an hour.When you donate feces, you must sign your jar.
Before donating fecal matter, the patient must prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintic drugs, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be remembered that before the collection procedure both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited, and the consumption of fatty foods must be eliminated four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnosis is one of the cheapest, but the information content of the examination often does not reflect the real picture after a single check.
Spawning by helminths does not occur every night, so this test is carried out 2-4 times with an interval of 3-5 days.If several tests performed give negative results, you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestine.
Scrape
The main and simplest examination for enterobiasis.Its meaning is to detect the eggs of pinworms, which deposit them in huge quantities in the anus during the night.
A smear is taken with a special spatula or an ordinary moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply adhesive tape to the area of the anus and perineum, and then stick it on specially prepared clean glass.
Before testing for parasites, you need to seal them in a clean bag and deliver them to the laboratory as soon as possible.If stored in the refrigerator, the material remains suitable for five hours.
Scraping, like examining stool for parasites, is an inexpensive test, but it detects only one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably informs about the presence of a specific parasite in a person.In the course of their harmful vital activity, microorganisms release various toxins, and our body responds 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);
- general;
- on Giardia;
- for the etiological agent of echinococci;
- on the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- on the causative agent of toxocariasis.
Each of these studies accurately determines the presence of harmful creatures and the degree of organ damage using antibodies.But to choose which tests for parasites to undergo, it is always necessary to consult a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of parasitic pinworms or roundworms.And, for example, the detection of an increased amount of immunoglobulin antibodies by ELISA for parasites allows you to diagnose any type of helminth 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 stop taking all medications that may have a detrimental effect on the study.It is advisable to consult your doctor about this.
The day before the test, be sure to 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 cubital vein.Study results are usually ready after 2-3 days, but identification of some parasitic organisms will take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites using other methods
In rare cases, to obtain an accurate picture of the development of the disease, a specialist prescribes:
- chest x-ray- has calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pork tapeworm;
- Computed tomography of the chest— will have calcifications, as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infection with harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to fight parasites with prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven food;
- subject meat and fish to careful heat treatment;
- Maintain intimate hygiene regularly.
But even following 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 research.