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 species of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their feeding habits.Unlike bacteria, which are involved in the digestive process and symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a number of diseases throughout their lives.
The main types of parasites in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body and can enter the body in different ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food thoroughly enough to avoid such “free riders”, but as practice shows, even the most extreme measures cannot completely 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 currently been investigated.Currently, more than 250 species of parasitic worms alone 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 habitat for many types of parasites.There are a number of parasites that are commonly found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, about 100 million people become infected with this parasite every year.Damage usually occurs from eating unwashed vegetables and contaminated objects.Roundworms infect the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.Can be transmitted not only by humans but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite in children's groups.Infection usually 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 a size of over 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms comprise a large group of parasites, including bovine, porcine, canine, dwarf tapeworms, and broadband worms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system and therefore deprive the body of nutrients.These organisms especially love vitamin B12 and folic acid, which is why patients with such parasites have significant deficiencies in 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 particularly poor if the eyeballs are affected, as this option requires the affected eye to be surgically removed.
- Alveococcus and Echinococcus.These microorganisms typically enter the human body through contact with an infected animal carrier or its feces.The carriers are often foxes.In the human body, these parasites can invade any organ, but especially the liver and lungs.They then form cysts that contain entire colonies of these organisms.Rupture of the cyst can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks very similar to a roundworm.The infection usually occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruit.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 cm in length.Can affect almost all organs and tissues.Over the course of their lives, they release toxins into the bloodstream.A representative of roundworms, Trichinella, is the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and severe, and therefore leads to the death of the patient in 30% of cases.
- 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 consumption of inadequately processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of a parasite infestation
In order for parasites to live normally in the human body, they are attached to the walls of organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hairs and suction cups, thereby irritating tissues and 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 significant damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but with frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are a number of symptoms that are common in people with parasite 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 conditions;
- 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 parasites, but also on the degree of damage they cause to certain tissues.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 suffocation can occur.In the case of damage to the brain 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 period of time.Therefore, in order to accurately determine the presence of parasites, preventive diagnostics should be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treating parasitic infestations
In order to effectively treat a parasite infestation, the type of parasite must first be determined.Most commonly used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological Caprogram;
- hemoscanning;
- serological study.
All medical anthelmintics can be divided into those containing chemical-synthetic substances and herbal medicines.Treating a parasite infestation is often an extremely difficult task because chemicals, although effective in most cases, are highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only to parasites but also to the human body.After determining the type of parasite, a doctor should prescribe treatment with antiparasitic medications.Plant-based preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by parasites but are harmless to humans.However, the disadvantages of such remedies include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infestations.
Methods for preventing parasite infestation
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from infection by parasites, 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 need to pay attention to your hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
In addition, you should always carry antibacterial wipes with you, which is 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 vegetables, and fruit should be poured with boiling water before consumption.Beef, pork and poultry as well as fish and shellfish must be properly cooked.When cooking or frying, it is very important not to taste raw meat.Insufficiently salted fish meat can cause infection with parasites.Therefore, you should not eat such dishes if they have not been kept in a saline solution for a sufficient time.
If there are pets in the house, they should be vaccinated preventatively to protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect parasites help avoid dangerous complications.