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 that they are carriers of certain harmful organisms.There are many types of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their feeding habits.Unlike bacteria involved in the digestion process and in symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a number of diseases during their life processes.
The main types of parasites found in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body, and they can enter the body in a variety of ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food thoroughly enough to avoid acquiring such “freeloaders,” but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures are not able to completely protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of parasite.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that not all possible invasions have been studied at the moment.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 quite a few parasites that are often found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, approximately 100 million people are infected with 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.Can be spread not only by people, but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite in children's groups.Infection, as a rule, occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc. Pinworms live in the large and small intestines.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes larger than 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, pork, dog, dwarf tapeworms, as well as broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system, so they suck 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.
- Toxocara.A parasite that usually affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an animal.The length of an adult individual can be 30 cm. Almost all organs and tissues can be affected, but the prognosis is especially poor if the eyeballs are affected, since 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 provoke an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks very much like 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 cm in length.Can affect almost all organs and tissues.In the process of their life, 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 severe course, therefore in 30% of cases it leads to the death of the patient.
- Whipworm.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs when consuming food and water contaminated with eggs of the pathogen.In addition, infection can occur through household items.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary wall of the intestine.The lifespan of the parasite is about 5 years.
- Trematodes.This is a common type of flatworm that can parasitize 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, are attached to the walls of 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 the case of frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are quite a few symptoms that are common in people suffering from parasitic infestations, including:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue;
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- problems with stool;
- headaches and migraines;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations;
- insomnia;
- decreased immune system;
- allergic reactions;
- increased nervousness;
- decreased performance.
The degree of intensity of 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 there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of suffocation may occur.In case of parasite damage to the brain, manifestations can be very diverse, including seizures, convulsions, etc.Signs of the presence of parasites in the human body may not show obvious symptoms for a long time, therefore, in order to accurately determine the presence of parasites, preventive diagnostics should be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treatment of parasitic infestations
In order to effectively treat parasitic infestations, it is first necessary to determine the type of parasite.Most often used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological caprogram;
- hemoscanning;
- serological study.
All medical anthelmintic drugs can be divided into those containing chemically synthesized substances and herbal medicines.Treatment of parasitic infestation is often an extremely difficult task, since chemicals, although effective in most cases, are still highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only for parasites, but also for the human body.A regimen of antiparasitic drugs should be prescribed by a doctor after identifying the type of parasite.Herbal-based preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by parasites, 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 for preventing parasitic infestations
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from infection by parasites, since their eggs are extremely resilient 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 need to take care of your hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly 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 should only be purchased in specialized stores that have all the certificates confirming their safety.All vegetables, including leafy ones, and fruits should be doused with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and crustacean meat, must be cooked properly.If boiling or frying is intended, it is very important not to taste raw meat.Insufficiently salted fish meat can cause infection with parasites, so you should not eat such dishes if they have not been kept in a salt solution for a sufficient amount of time.
If there are pets in the house, 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 avoid dangerous complications.