Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body.Symptoms may not appear for many years, so most people do not even realize they are carriers of certain harmful organisms.There are many species of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites are named after their feeding habits.Unlike bacteria involved in the process of digestion and symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a number of diseases during their lifetime.
The main types of parasites found in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body and can enter the body in various ways.Many people think that they wash their hands and food well enough to avoid acquiring such "freeloaders", but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures are not able to fully protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one type of parasite or another.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that not all possible invasions have been studied at this time.More than 250 species of parasitic worms alone are currently known and they can live not only in the intestines, but also in other organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, muscle fibers, hair and nails.In fact, any organ of the human body can easily become a home for many types of parasites.There are several parasites that are commonly found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, about 100 million people are infected by this parasite every year.As a rule, damage occurs due to the ingestion of unwashed vegetables, as well as through contaminated objects.Roundworms attack the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.It can be spread not only by humans, but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common pest in children's groups.Infection, as a rule, occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc.Worms live in the large and small intestines.Worm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes larger than 1 cm.
- Movies.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including cattle, pork, dog, dwarf tapeworms, as well as broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system, so they absorb nutrients from the body.These organisms especially love vitamin B12 and folic acid, so patients with such parasites have a significant deficiency of these elements.
- Archer.A parasite that usually affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an animal.The length of an adult can be 30 cm.Almost all organs and tissues can be affected, but the prognosis is particularly poor if the eyeballs are affected, as this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye.
- Alveococcus and Echinococcus.These microorganisms typically enter the human body through contact with an infected animal carrier or its feces.Often the carriers are foxes.In the human body, these parasites can enter any organ, but they especially love the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Rupture of the cyst can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Pinworm.The parasite looks a lot like a roundworm.Infection usually occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 centimeters in length.It can affect almost all organs and tissues.In the process of living, they release toxic waste into the bloodstream.A representative of roundworms, Trichinella, is the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and has a serious course, so in 30% of cases it leads to the death of the patient.
- Whip.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephaly.The damage occurs when you consume food and water contaminated with eggs of the pathogen.In addition, contamination can occur through household items.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary wall of the intestine.The life span of the parasite is about 5 years.
- Tremorous.This is a common type of flatworm that can infest lung tissue, blood vessels, intestines and liver.As a rule, infection with these parasites occurs through the consumption of insufficiently processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasitic infestation
Parasites, in order to live normally in the human body, adhere to the walls of the organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hairs, suction cups, which irritate the tissues, causing inflammatory processes.In addition, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste products, and under certain conditions can eat healthy tissue, causing extensive damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but in case of frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other adverse conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are several symptoms that are common to people suffering from parasitic infestations, such as:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue.
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain.
- constant feeling of hunger.
- stool problems;
- headaches and migraines;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations.
- insomnia;
- reduced immune system;
- allergic reactions;
- increased nervousness;
- reduced performance.
The degree of intensity of the manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasites, but also on the degree of damage to certain tissues by them.For example, if parasites are present in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of suffocation can occur.In case of parasite damage to the brain, the manifestations can be very different, including seizures, convulsions, etc.
Principles of dealing with parasitic infestations
In order to effectively treat pest infestations, it is necessary to first determine the type of pest.Most often used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs.
- histologic caprogram?
- blood count;
- serological study.
All medical anthelmintic drugs can be divided into those containing chemically synthesized substances and herbal drugs.Treating parasite infestation is often an extremely difficult task, as chemicals, although effective in most cases, are still highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites, but also for the human body.A regimen of antiparasitic drugs should be prescribed by a doctor after the type of parasite is identified.Herbal preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by pests, but are not dangerous to humans.However, the disadvantages of such agents include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infestations.
Methods of preventing parasitic infestations
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from parasite infection, since their eggs are extremely resistant and can remain without a host for a long time.At the same time, there are a number of rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you must take care of your hygiene and wash your hands well before eating.
In addition, you should always carry antibacterial wipes with you, which will be very useful in cases where it is not possible to wash your hands or disinfect the surface.
Products must be purchased only in specialized stores that have all the certificates that confirm their safety.All vegetables, including leafy ones, and fruits should be poured with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and crustaceans, must be cooked properly.If you plan to boil or fry, it is very important not to try raw meat.Insufficiently salted fish meat can cause contamination with parasites, so you should not eat such dishes if they have not been kept in a salt solution for a sufficient time.
If there are pets at home, they should be given preventive vaccinations that will protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect the presence of parasites help to avoid dangerous complications.