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 types of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites are named after their eating habits.Unlike bacteria that are 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 process.
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 different ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food thoroughly enough to avoid acquiring such "freelancers", 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 or another type of parasite.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that currently not all possible invasions have been studied.Currently, more than 250 species of parasitic worms are known, which 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 many parasites that are often found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, about 100 million people are infected with this parasite every year.As a rule, damage is caused by eating 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 spread not only from humans, but also from animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite in children's groups.As a rule, infection occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc.Pinworms live in the large and small intestine.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes larger than 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, porcine, canine, 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 like vitamin B12 and folic acid, so patients with these 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 the 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 involved, as this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye.
- Alveococcus and Echinococcus.These microorganisms usually enter the human body through contact with an infected animal or its feces.They are often fox bearers.In the human body, these parasites can enter any organ, but they especially like the liver and lungs.They then form cysts that contain entire colonies of these organisms.Cyst rupture can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks very much 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 cm in length.It 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, so in 30% of cases it leads to the death of the patient.
- Whipworm.This parasite is the cause of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs when consuming food and water contaminated with pathogen eggs.In addition, infection can also 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.
- 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 by consuming insufficiently processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasitic infestation
Parasites, in order to live normally in the human body, attach themselves to the walls of the organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hairs, vents, which irritate the tissues, causing inflammatory processes.In addition, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste materials, and under certain conditions can eat healthy tissue, causing great damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without obvious manifestations, but in case of frequent overload, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are several 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;
- 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 manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasite, but also on the degree of damage to individual tissues from 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 can occur.In the case of brain damage by parasites, the 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
To effectively treat parasitic infestations, it is first necessary to determine the type of parasite.It is most often used to identify parasites:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological program;
- hemoscanning;
- serological study.
All medicinal anthelmintics 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 very toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites, but also for the human body.The regimen of antiparasitic drugs should be prescribed by a doctor after determining the type of parasite.Plant-based preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that parasites cannot tolerate, but are not dangerous for humans.However, the disadvantages of such agents include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infestations.
Methods for the prevention of parasitic infestations
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from parasite infection, because 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 thoroughly before eating.
In addition, 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 be purchased only in specialized stores that have all the certificates confirming 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 crustacean meat, must be cooked properly.If it is intended to be cooked or fried, it is very important not to taste the raw meat.Insufficiently salted fish meat can cause parasite infection, so such dishes should not be eaten if they have not been kept in the salt solution for a long 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 to avoid dangerous complications.