Parasites are constantly present in the human body.These can be both pathogenic worms and amoebas, and protozoa that do not cause diseases, and sometimes help cope with the bacterial flora.A threat to health is posed by parasites that feed on the host, injure internal organs and disrupt the functions of vital systems.
Classification of human parasites
Human parasites can be of several types.Protozoa, arthropods and helminths live mainly inside the body and on its surface.Some organisms are constant companions of humans, others use them as a temporary reservoir for the transition to the next stage of development.
True parasites cannot live without a host and die in a free environment.False ones can feel the same way in the human body, on the soil, in water and on surrounding objects.There are also hyperparasites that settle inside similar creatures and live off them.Depending on the location, parasites are divided into:
- Internal.These are endoparasites that feed on intestinal juices, organ tissues, blood and lymph.
- External.They are called ectoparasites, they live on the body, in the hair and in the folds of the skin.
- Fabric.Their habitat is the internal organs (liver, heart, lungs, gall bladder, brain).
- Cavity.These parasites live, feed and reproduce in the intestines and stomach.
- Intracellular or blood.They are usually microscopic in size and found in biological fluids.
Note!
In addition to the general classification, there is an individual division of all types of parasites into species and classes.Protozoa can be represented by ciliates, sarcodes and amoebae.Worms are divided into flukes, tapeworms and roundworms.Arthropods include insects, arachnids and bloodsuckers.
What parasites do humans have?
People are equally often infected with protozoa and helminths.Insects are diagnosed mainly in socially disadvantaged individuals.Adults, unlike children, can be infected with all known parasites.This is due to the variety of diets and the opportunity to travel.Many are misled by the misleading belief that parasitic diseases are mainly diagnosed in childhood.They are actually detected more often at an early age, but adults get sick no less often than children; their clinical signs of invasion may simply be erased.
Protozoa and their localization
These single-celled parasites live in the body of adults for decades; they are studied by the science of protozoology.They can cause both specific infections and general diseases.Active individuals are called trophozoites and usually have flagella for locomotion.In order to continue the life cycle, protozoa have the ability to enclose themselves in capsules (cysts).These forms are immobile and persist in the external environment and unfavorable conditions for a long time.
Many species of flagellates parasitize adults.They have microscopic sizes and different localizations:
- Trichomonas affects the genitourinary system, oral cavity and prostate gland in men;
- intestinal balantidia live in the lumen of the large intestine;
- Giardia parasitizes the liver, bile ducts and intestines;
- malarial plasmodia destroy blood cells;
- toxoplasma spreads through the bloodstream to all organs, including the brain;
- trypanosomes attack the brain and cause “sleeping sickness”;
- Leishmania settles in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow;
- Dysenteric amoebas live in the large intestine.
All protozoan species of parasites have a similar life cycle, which occurs by changing from the vegetative stage to the cyst stage.Reproduction in unicellular organisms occurs both sexually and asexually.
Note!
Protozoa are true parasites and in the trophozoite stage cannot exist without a permanent or intermediate host.
Diseases caused by parasites of the worm class
The presence of round and flatworms is often detected in the body of adults.They differ in size, functioning characteristics and the degree of negative impact on organs and systems.
Nematodes
There can be several types of these parasites in humans.They belong to the class of roundworms and are similar in appearance to a spindle.Worms feel free in the host’s body and in an open environment.Among the common pathogens of nematodes:
- Ascaris.Lives in the small intestine, measures from 20 to 40 cm in length and reproduces sexually.
- Pinworm.A small worm, no more than 12 mm in length.It affects the intestines and can lay up to 15,000 eggs per day.The male dies after mating, the female after the deposition of larvae.
- Hookworm.Lives in the jejunum and duodenum.This parasite inside a person can suck up to 0.3 ml of blood per day, damaging the intestinal wall with sharp teeth.
- Whipworm.The worm, up to 5 cm long, lives in the intestines and, thanks to its unique body structure, sucks juices from the thickness of its walls.
- Trichinella.This is an intramuscular parasite up to 4 mm in size that causes the dangerous disease trichinosis in humans.Trichinella looks like a spiral and is a viviparous helminth.
- Guinea worm.This parasite in the human body reaches 1 meter in length and looks like a thin white thread.Guinea worm localization can be in the subcutaneous layer of the legs, back or lower abdomen.
- Filaria.They enter the body through the bites of infected mosquitoes, midges and horse flies.The habitat of filariae is the entire circulatory and lymphatic system.They clog the blood vessels of the heart, lungs and other organs, causing obstruction.
- Toxocara.The larvae of the worm migrate throughout the body and infect the heart, lungs, liver and brain.The size of adult helminths reaches 18 cm.
- Intestinal eel.The causative agent of strongyloidiasis lives in the intestines at the maturity stage.Eel larvae can spread throughout the human body through the bloodstream.
Important!
The negative impact on the body of roundworms is due to their mechanical and toxic effects.
Trematodes
These are parasites that live in humans and have the second name of fluke.There are several types of these flatworms.They cause different diseases, but are similar in structure.All flukes have a leaf-shaped body with two suckers.Trematodes do not have an anus; digested food is thrown out through the mouth.
Trematode parasites affect the body depending on the location.Liver, lanceolate and cat flukes affect the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.The pulmonary fluke lives in the lungs, the blood fluke lives in the blood vessels.
Note!
Flukes always have an intermediate host in the form of a variety of mollusks.
Cestodes
This type includes helminths from the class of tapeworms or tapeworms.They have a special structure and look like a chain of their individual fragments (strobilus).Cestodes parasitize the intestines and release large amounts of toxins into the body.
Among the worms of this class common in adults are:
- Wide tape.The largest parasite, up to 15 meters long, absorbs nutrients throughout the body and poisons the body with its toxins.
- Pork tapeworm.It is the causative agent of taeniasis, reaches 3 meters in length and is “armed” with several hooks.
- The bull tapeworm consists of more than a thousand segments and grows up to 10 meters.
- Dwarf tapeworm.The size of the worm is no more than 5 cm; it lives in the human body for about 2 months and then dies.
- Echinococcus and alveococcus.Helminths cause liver and lung disease and can form larval blisters in internal organs.
Note!
Cestodes are particularly dangerous due to their ability to parasitize in the form of cysticerci.These are encapsulated larvae that are carried to all organs through the bloodstream, causing mass invasion.
External parasites
The most common ectoparasite living on the human body is the louse.It lives in the scalp, armpits, groin, beard, and even eyelashes and eyebrows.The disease caused by parasites is called pediculosis.Depending on the location, body louse, pubic and head louse are distinguished.You can get rid of insects using external means in the form of shampoos, ointments and solutions.
Important!
The danger of lice lies in their ability to transmit typhus, which is a severe infectious disease, through saliva.
Symptoms of parasites in the human body
With external insects such as lice and fleas, everything is clear; they manifest themselves as local itching and the formation of sores at the bite sites.Internal parasites cause a more varied clinical picture.It depends on the localization of alien organisms, their size and the scale of invasion.
Hundreds of worms and protozoa of the same or different species can simultaneously parasitize humans.Parasites can live in humans unnoticed for several years and not cause specific symptoms.Common signs of infestation usually include:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- weakness;
- headache;
- changes in appetite towards its increase or decrease;
- anemia for no apparent reason;
- increased nervousness;
- sleep disorders;
- stomach ache;
- perversion of taste.
With liver damage, the clinical picture is complemented by pain in the right hypochondrium, yellowness of the skin and bitterness in the mouth.Filariasis is manifested by signs of cardiac and respiratory failure, toxoplasmosis is accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system.With trichinosis, muscles are affected.
When the genitourinary system is affected by protozoa, signs of infection in women are manifested by frequent urination, discharge from the vagina and urethra, and itching.With intestinal infestations, symptoms of infection in adults may not appear for years, during which time the parasites multiply and weaken the human immune system, which contributes to the development of chronic and systemic diseases.
Symptoms of the presence of protozoa in the body often include fever, headaches and allergic reactions.Often one of the first signs of parasites in the body is a rash on the body and itchy skin.This is due to the human body’s response to foreign proteins.
Important!
General signs of the presence of parasites in the body in the first stages may be similar to intestinal infection, dermatitis and digestive disorders.
Why are parasites dangerous?
In humans, infection with parasites can cause various reactions and complications.If the invasion is provoked by small helminths, then the risk of complications is quite small.When infected with large species of worms or highly pathogenic protozoa, health harm can be unpredictable.
In addition to specific diseases, which sometimes have a severe course, foreign individuals cause serious dysfunctions of vital systems.The toxins that parasites release into the blood affect the central nervous system and poison the body.Large helminths have a negative mechanical effect on organs.Many doctors believe that such tissue injury leads to oncology and tumors.In addition, parasites cause ulcerative lesions of the intestines and stomach, bronchitis and pneumonia, cystitis and pancreatitis, cholecystitis and colitis.
Important!
Sometimes symptoms of large worms in adults can manifest themselves in the form of an acute abdomen.This happens when worms damage the intestinal lining and develop peritonitis.
Sources of possible infection and preventive measures
There are many ways to become infected with parasites.People are exposed to infection every day.When eating undercooked meat and fish, there is a risk of contracting helminths such as fluke and trichinella.If you do not wash your hands or fruits and vegetables well enough, you can introduce eggs of pinworms, roundworms, toxocara and other worms into your mouth.When visiting exotic countries, you can become infected with rare parasites such as guinea worm, malarial plasmodium and trypanosomes.
The carriers of infection are domestic and wild animals, blood-sucking animals, crustaceans and mollusks, as well as ants.Prevention consists of reducing the risk of infection by maintaining hand hygiene and proper heat treatment of meat and fish products.
Important!
Tourism lovers should first study the ways of infection by parasites living in a particular country.
Diagnostics
It is sometimes possible to detect an invasion in the body by simply submitting biological fluids and feces for analysis, as well as by studying the anamnesis.But not all parasites manifest clinical symptoms and form larvae.Therefore, PCR and ELISA are recognized as the best diagnostic methods.These are immunological tests that can detect DNA of parasites and antibodies to them in venous blood.
Computer diagnostics are also popular now, but they only help to establish the fact of infection, without identifying the specific pathogen.Hemoscanning of blood is now also required, which is carried out by repeatedly enlarging the biological material.
Duodenal intubation helps to find out everything about parasites in the liver.During the procedure, bile is collected followed by laboratory testing.In case of echinococcosis in the stage of formation of blisters in the liver and lungs, the body is diagnosed using ultrasound, MRI and X-ray.Intestinal specimens can be seen during colonoscopy.
Important!
Modern techniques make it possible to detect invasion already when the first signs of infection appear, therefore, to prevent the development of complications, you should consult a doctor as early as possible.
Therapy methods
To combat invasions, they use medicinal treatment of parasites in the human body, a diet limiting flour, sweets, alcohol, as well as proprietary techniques.A collection with cloves, tansy and wormwood helps against illness.The method based on drinking sweet tea with cognac (1 tablespoon per glass) on an empty stomach, followed by the use of a laxative, has also proven itself.
Pharmacy medications for parasites are available in the form of suspensions, tablets, suppositories and injection solutions.For protozoa, adults are prescribed antiprotozoal drugs.
Parasites need to be treated for up to 5 days.
To remove worms such as roundworms with medication, sometimes a single use of anthelmintic tablets is enough.They destroy the worms from the inside, paralyzing their muscular system.It is more difficult to cure a person from flukes, echinococci and alveococci.The course of treatment for the body sometimes lasts up to 6 months.
To get rid of parasites forever, you need to take medications according to the regimen prescribed by your doctor.
Important!
Self-medication with pharmaceutical drugs is highly not recommended due to the possible worsening of the condition.Sometimes the first signs of parasite death are manifested by the release of toxins into the blood, which requires additional detoxification therapy.
Treatment with folk remedies
If parasites appear in the body that cause specific infections such as malaria, toxoplasmosis or trichomoniasis, treatment with home recipes is out of the question.In these cases, qualified medical assistance is required.
Note!
Traditional medicine can be used for preventive purposes or as an auxiliary therapy.
To get rid of infestations, natural remedies based on herbs, flowers and products with a high content of essential oils are used.
You can be treated for parasites:
- wormwood infusion (a tablespoon per liter of boiling water);
- tansy decoction (20 grams of herb per 500 ml of boiling water);
- garlic milk (a head of garlic per 250 ml of hot milk);
- onion porridge (chop two onions and mix with vegetable oil);
- dessert made from pumpkin seeds (mix a glass of kernels with half a glass of honey);
- pumpkin puree (steam 1 kg of pulp in the oven for an hour and puree).
Natural remedies should be consumed for at least 10 days, a tablespoon before each full meal.
Reviews about the treatment of parasites
- “I feed my whole family pumpkin seeds.I dry them at room temperature, mix them with any jam, condensed milk or honey and serve them with tea.As a result, no one suffers from parasites.”
- “My husband had a stomach ache near his navel for a whole year, suffered from nausea, took a lot of tests and found nothing.Recently, a doctor at a paid clinic wrote out a prescription for a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug, my husband took one tablet and after a week the pain stopped.”
- “For the purpose of prevention, every autumn I take an anthelmintic drug, since at the dacha I sometimes eat vegetables straight from the bush.The suspension is inexpensive, tastes good and is well tolerated.”