Signs of parasites in the human body depend on the type of parasite and its waste products. One of the most common signs of the presence of parasites in the body is intestinal and stomach discomfort.
According to WHO statistics, about 95% of the total population of the Earth is infected with parasites - microorganisms that exist and feed on other organisms. Often the signs of the presence of parasites in the human body remain unnoticed, because some of them have adapted very well and the signs can be confused with other diseases.
Types of parasites that commonly infect the human body
The human body is most often inhabited by:
- roundworms;
- sedges;
- hookworms;
- Giardia;
- whipworms;
- beef tapeworm;
- wide band;
- pork tapeworm;
- Echinococcus;
- trichinella.
Helminths are the general name for worms that exist in the living organism. Simply put, worms. They are classified into the following types: tapeworms (cystodes), flukes (flukes) and roundworms (nematodes). The most common type of helminths are roundworms.
They are round in shape and live mostly in the intestine and its various parts. Some of the representatives, for example trichinella, can migrate throughout the body. The intestines are the main habitat of roundworms. Representatives of tapeworms are beef and pork tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococcus. The dimensions of the parasites in question can reach several meters in length. Some of them begin to develop outside the human body.
Biohelminths undergo a stage of maturation and development in animal organisms. These are, for example, toxocaris, beef and pork tapeworms, etc. Soil is the habitat of geohelminths Geohelminths develop in the soil. And they enter people through the skin or by ingestion. These include many types of roundworms. Contact parasites enter a person through direct contact with another person. Enterobiosis is one of the diseases transmitted by contact parasites, pinworms.
How does the infection occur?
You can become infected with parasite larvae by eating unprocessed foods (fish, nose), poorly washed raw vegetables and fruits, insect bites, sexual intercourse, domestic methods, drinking raw water, as well as swallowing water while swimming inwater bodies, from pets. , through the soil.
General signs of the presence of helminths
Very often it is quite difficult to recognize the presence of the pests in question in the body of the individual. And many symptoms can be mistaken for a chronic disease and treated unsuccessfully. Symptoms of the disease can vary depending on the type of worms, their location and quantity. But there are general signs of the presence of parasites in the human body.
Allergy
As a result of metabolic processes, worms release toxic elements that penetrate into the circulatory system and contribute to the appearance of allergic manifestations. The rash may appear and disappear periodically. This allergy is difficult to treat with dermatological means.
Allergies can manifest themselves:
- lacrimation, eyelid pain and conjunctivitis
- chronic runny nose
- shortness of breath, cough
- skin rash, peeling and redness, burning
- rosacea, eczema
- congestion in the corners and inflammation of the edge of the mouth
- leukocytosis is an increase in white blood cells in the blood
- scabies in the anal area (stings) and on the body
- problem skin and acne
- asthma and dry cough (hookworms)
- hair loss
Stomach and intestinal discomfort syndrome
Many parasites inhabit the large and small intestines of an individual. They stick to the walls, irritate them and contribute to the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the organs. The function of assimilating nutrients, especially fatty substances, is impaired
Through laboratory methods, a large amount of fatty elements can be detected in feces.
Bile stagnation
Due to their enormous size, some parasites can block the bile ducts and cause biliary dyskinesia. These signs can provoke other, more serious liver diseases. Parasites can block the bile ducts, which can negatively affect the liver
constipation
Worms can clog the intestinal lumen. Often signs of the presence of parasites in the human body are manifested by symptoms such as constipation and can even lead to intestinal obstruction. Diarrhea Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of helminth infestation. Prostaglandins, which are produced by parasites, lead to frequent watery stools.
Dysbacteriosis
Due to bowel dysfunction, symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and excessive gas production appear, which can be mistaken for dysbacteriosis. But in this case, treatment with antibiotics and probiotics does not give positive results. Reduced immunity Parasites feed on what people eat. They absorb most of the absorbed nutrients.
Weak immunity may be a consequence of the activity of parasites in the body
Due to the constant reaction of the immune system to the presence of "strangers", the body's defenses are reduced and the immune system is weakened. This is manifested by frequent colds, an unreasonable increase in temperature, body pains, etc.
Joint and muscle pain
Worms can affect different organs. Trichinella, for example, settles in muscle tissue and can damage it. This is the body's reaction to the vital activity of the parasites.
Change in body weight
One of the signs of helminthiasis is weight loss or obesity. Weight loss is due to the inability to obtain nutrients from the foods consumed. And weight gain, as a result of the body's reaction, is the need to "stock up on food for future use". Therefore, before making a decision to gain weight or lose weight, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination for the presence of parasites inthe human body.
anemia
Some parasites, for example Trichomonas, can infect various human organs, including the blood. Feeding on its cells, helminthiasis provokes anemia and iron deficiency. Vitamin Deficiency A person experiences a lack of nutrients and vitamins, which causes a vitamin deficiency. This is a consequence of the gluttony of the parasites.
Nervousness, sleep disturbance
Insomnia, poor short sleep can be a response of the nervous system to the presence of "illegal" residents. Some helminths come out at night through the anus to lay larvae. This can cause discomfort and itching, which makes you wake up often and notallows you to fully rest.
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"
Against the background of general intoxication of the body, lack of vitamins and nutrients that are absorbed by parasites, a person can feel constant fatigue, reduced concentration, apathy and memory loss.
Oncology
The presence of parasites does not have the best effect on the human body as a whole. The normal functioning of all organs is disturbed, inflammation occurs, health deteriorates and immunity decreases. Disruption of the normal functioning of the body due to the influence of parasites can lead to serious consequences
It is important to know that all these signs with prolonged action can provoke the formation of tumors and neoplasms.
Inflammation of the larynx and respiratory tract
Worms can travel throughout the body. Once they reach the respiratory tract, they cause a severe cough, sore throat and high fever. As a result of their vital activity, even asthma or pneumonia may develop.
You should not ignore any symptoms that indicate a malfunction of the body. At the first signs of any disease, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo procedures to check for parasites. This will allow you to receive timely treatment and prevent the destructive effects of toxins from harming your body. The long-term presence of worms in the human body can lead to the development of serious diseases, including cancer or chronic forms of existing diseases.
Specific symptoms of parasite infestation
In addition to the general ones, there are a number of special signs of the presence of parasites in the human body, which are characteristic of women and men separately.
For women it is:
- violation of the regular menstrual cycle;
- vaginal dysbiosis, mycosis;
- inflammation of the ovaries, kidneys, bladder;
- uterine fibroids;
- infertility.
In men, the disease in question manifests itself:
- sexual dysfunction;
- the presence of sand or stones in the kidneys, bladder;
- inflammation of the prostate gland;
- mental disorders.
Differences in symptoms in children and adults
When the larvae of the parasite enter, they encounter a protective barrier at 3 levels:
- saliva;
- gastric juice;
- local intestinal immunity.
In the still fragile body of the child, such protection may not work. Namely, children are most susceptible to the disease in question. In the summer, when children are constantly outdoors, the risk of infection with helminths is very high. Everything can be in the sand if it is not kept clean. There are more than enough ways to infect children: children's sandboxes, pets, not always washed fruits and vegetables, swimming in lakes. In addition, especially for the little ones, there is a desire to try everything.
The habit of thumb-sucking only increases the likelihood of helminth infection. The most common types of parasites in children include: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms and hookworms. Pinworms are small white worms, no more than 1 cm. They come out and lay their eggs near the anus. Therefore, the presence of such parasites is always accompanied by itching around the anus. Roundworms are larger in size, their length can reach 40 cm!
Please note that the phenomenon of "bruxism" (teeth grinding) is considered one of the signs of the presence of parasites in the human body and often disturbs children in their sleep. Parents should pay attention to this fact and examine their child for the presence of parasites. Very often worms live in the intestines, so children can have problems with stools, flatulence, vomiting and pain in the epigastrium.
Diagnosis of parasites
The main problem in diagnosing parasitic diseases is that they masquerade as many chronic diseases and it is very difficult to recognize the true causes of the symptoms.
How to determine the presence of parasites
When one or another organ or tissue is damaged, the distinctive features dominate.
In the intestines
The most favorable place for parasites to live: high humidity, warm temperature, neutral pH environment. Symptoms of intestinal damage:
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- intestinal obstruction;
- spasmodic pain, abdominal cramps;
- weight loss;
- vomiting;
- nervousness;
- lack (or increase) of appetite.
A person is overcome by weakness, fatigue and reluctance to move.
In the stomach
In the case of a parasitic invasion, the following signs are noted:
- nausea;
- burping;
- salivation;
- heaviness and distension of the stomach;
- diarrhea;
- bleeding during bowel movements;
- itching in the anal area due to stings;
- cough due to irritation of gastric neuroreceptors.
In intestinal acne, sputum from blood fractions can be released.
In the liver
Symptoms:
- pain in the right hypochondrium;
- burping;
- nausea;
- allergic urticaria;
- yellowing of the sclera, oral mucosa and skin;
- loss of hair follicles;
- weakness;
- irritability;
- anemia.
There is pronounced swelling of the legs and abdomen.
In the blood
Distinctive symptoms:
- fever;
- thickening, enlargement, pain of the lymph nodes;
- body rash;
- dizziness, headache;
- thirst;
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- dyspnea;
- disturbance of blood circulation, expressed in numbness and coldness of the limbs.
Anemia inevitably develops as many parasites destroy red blood cells.
In case of heart damage
There are always signs of lung and heart failure.
- cough;
- dyspnea;
- nervousness, fear;
- weakness;
- chest pain;
- arrhythmia, bradycardia;
- temperature, fever alternating with chills;
- changes in blood pressure;
- sweating;
- paleness of the face, neck;
- anemia.
Signs of hypoxia are observed: cyanosis of the skin of the fingertips, the nasolabial triangle and the mucous membranes of the mouth.
In the lungs
Characteristic symptoms:
- dyspnea;
- difficulty breathing;
- attacks of dry cough at night;
- asthmatic bronchospasms;
- allergic rhinitis, sneezing;
- chest pain;
- rapid heart rate;
- nausea
A scanty frothy sputum with blood cells may be released.
Under the skin
External symptoms:
- itchy red small rash, large swollen blisters on the skin;
- ulcers, abscesses, warts, eczema;
- fever;
- night sweats;
- dense mobile tumor areas under the skin;
- anemia.
Allergic cough and runny nose often develop.
In the eyes
Distinctive symptoms:
- inflammation of the conjunctiva, accompanied by burning and itching;
- pain in the eyes and pain when moving the gaze to the side, up;
- flying flies, cloudy threads before the eyes;
- dry mucous membranes of the eyes;
- blurred vision of objects, double vision;
- headache, dizziness;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- blue under the eyes.
There is a significant deterioration of visual acuity.
Parasitosis is masked under thousands of diseases, so it is impossible to determine it visually, without laboratory tests. The period of cure depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis and the identification of the parasites in the earliest stage of the infection.
In the blood
Parasites that live in the blood can live in red blood cells, plasma, and white blood cells. Types of pests:
- Mansonella is a worm that can grow up to 8 centimeters. It causes dizziness, headache and joint pain, fever, skin problems, numbness in the legs.
- Haemosporidia are single-celled organisms that live inside red blood cells.
- Trypanosomes are single-celled organisms that cause Chagas disease and sleeping sickness.
- Plasmodium malariae.
Symptoms of diseases caused by parasites
Very often the disease is named after the parasite that causes it.
ascariasis
The causative agent of the disease is ascaris, which is localized in the human intestine. The extent of the disease depends on the age of the patient, the severity and duration of the parasite infestation.
Symptoms of ascariasis are manifested as follows:
- allergic rash localized on the legs, arms and body of the patient;
- fever, fever;
- general weakness and malaise;
- sweating at night and during the day;
- enlarged liver and pains in the hypochondrium;
- lack of appetite and nausea; abdominal pain and cramps;
- constipation and diarrhea; weight loss or gain;
- cough, shortness of breath and chest pain appear during the period of migration of roundworms and their localization in the lungs;
- insomnia;
- reduced cognitive abilities;
- convulsions;
- obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.
Hookworm
The causative agents of the diseases are helminths, hookworms and others. Symptoms of the disease:
- urticaria and dermatitis, when the larvae penetrate the skin, a swelling is formed at the site of penetration, which causes a burning sensation and itching;
- bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis are observed during the migration of parasites in the human body, in this case the patient suffers from cough, shortness of breath, hoarse voice;
- when the larvae reach the intestine, anemia, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and loss of appetite develop;
- irritability, fatigue, insomnia.
Diphyllobothriosis
The disease is caused by a broad tapeworm. Symptoms of the disease:
- weight loss;
- diarrhea and constipation;
- loss of appetite;
- low-grade fever;
- increased tiredness and fatigue;
- the presence of worms in the feces in the form of white ribbons;
- abdominal cramps and pain;
- anemia;
- dizziness and headache;
- cracks and red spots on the tongue;
- pathological processes in the mouth and esophagus;
- intestinal obstruction;
- depression.
Taeniasis
The causative agent of the disease is the pig tapeworm, which is localized in the small intestine. Symptoms of the disease:
- nausea and vomiting; fragments of parasite larvae can be observed in vomit;
- diarrhea and constipation;
- loss of weight and appetite;
- abdominal cramps and pain;
- anal itching;
- dizziness and headache;
- insomnia and excitability;
- when the larvae are in the brain, cysticercosis develops, which is manifested by speech disorder, epilepsy, delirium, hallucinations, loss of consciousness;
- When the parasite migrates, it is able to penetrate the eyes, heart and lungs.
Echinococcosis
The causative agent of the disease is the tapeworm Echinococcus. The worm is dangerous because it is capable of forming a cyst in almost any internal organ: heart, liver, brain, lungs, etc. The disease is very insidious, as it is completely asymptomatic at first, and clinical manifestations are observed already in the later stages of hydatid cyst formation.
Symptoms of the disease:
- the appearance of pain at the site of cyst formation;
- weakness, increased fatigue, drowsiness;
- skin allergies in the form of urticaria and itching;
- disorders in the functioning of the affected organ: if the liver is affected, then nausea and vomiting appear, then there is cough, shortness of breath, fever; if the brain is affected, then epilepsy; occurs, paresis of the arms and legs, with the formation of a cyst in the heart, the development of serious cardiac pathologies is possible;
- When the cyst bursts, the parasites spread with great speed to all internal organs and systems, which can lead to very serious complications and even death of the patient.
Alveococcosis
The causative agent of the disease is tapeworm alveococcus. This disease is considered indolent: from the moment of infection to the development of the disease, 10 or more years may pass. Symptoms of the disease: dermatological manifestations:
- skin itching and urticaria;
- bitterness in the mouth, nausea;
- pain and feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- liver coli;
- densification is observed in the liver;
- weight loss;
- weakness and malaise;
- When the parasite is localized in the brain, severe headache and dizziness are observed.
giardiasis
The disease develops as a result of infection of the human body with intestinal lamblia. Sometimes asymptomatic carriage is observed, without obvious signs of the disease. Symptoms:
- disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, belching, diarrhea and constipation;
- specific pain in the navel area;
- loss of appetite, flatulence;
- increase in temperature;
- general fatigue, reduced productivity;
- irritability and nervousness;
- itchy skin.
Amoebiasis
This disease is caused by a histological amoeba. Sometimes the symptoms of the disease can be completely absent, and sometimes, on the contrary, they manifest themselves very clearly. Symptoms appear in two forms: intestinal and extraintestinal. In the extraintestinal form of amoebiasis, the lungs, brain, genitourinary system and skin are affected, but the intestinal form is most common.
Symptoms of intestinal amebiasis:
- painful diarrhea, with frequent urges (up to 20 times), sometimes with blood;
- stomach pain;
- increase in temperature indicators;
- vomiting and nausea;
- loss of appetite.
After some time, the symptoms of the disease may disappear on their own for a while and then appear with new force.
Schistosomiasis
The causative agent of the disease is the blood fluke schistosoma. The disease has several stages of development:
- at an early stage, the patient develops allergic reactions, which are manifested by rashes and swelling, cough with hemoptysis, which has a paroxysmal character with general malaise and pain in the joints and muscles;
- when the disease becomes chronic, the symptoms are limited to disturbances in the act of urination (pain and pain during urination, increased frequency of urination, night and day urinary incontinence);
- There are particularly severe cases that lead to the death of the patient.
There are a huge number of symptoms of parasites in the human body. Without laboratory tests, only based on the symptoms themselves, it is impossible to diagnose the presence of parasites in the body. The severity of the symptoms depends primarily on the person's defense mechanisms, the location of the parasite and its type.
To determine the presence of parasites, it is necessary to undergo a series of tests
Also, a significant problem is created by the ability of most parasites to exist for a long, sometimes asymptomatic, existence in the human body. Therefore, if there are signs of a slow chronic disease, it is worth conducting an examination for the presence of parasites.
Methods for diagnosing parasites:
Direct methods: stool analysis, urinalysis, scraping of the perianal area, subungual phalanges, analysis of sputum and duodenal contents. These methods have a number of disadvantages, which are related to the characteristics and period of development of the parasite, as well as to the state of the human body.
Ultrasound is also used to examine the presence of parasites in the body.
In order to increase the information content of such diagnostics, it is necessary to undergo examinations several times. But this does not guarantee that you will receive reliable information. Recently, stool analysis using the PCR method has been used, which significantly increases the effectiveness of direct methods, as it helps to identify parasites by their DNA. But this is only if there are parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.
Indirect methods: X-ray, morphological, ultrasound, biopsy.
Bioresonance methods: Fol's method, ART.
The method of immunoenzymatic analysis is to determine the presence of antibodies against various types of parasites in human blood. This method is very informative and helps to identify the early forms of the disease.
When to see a doctor urgently
In the initial stages, there may be no signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. It will take years for the parasite infestation to manifest itself. At the first unexplained ailments, you should consult a specialist doctor. It is important to remember that if a person is worried about any of the symptoms described above, he should immediately consult a specialist (immunologist or parasitologist), especially if it concerns children.
The doctor will order tests that may need to be done several times to get more reliable information. Adequate treatment will then be selected. Helminthiasis is a rather serious and dangerous disease. It is important to remember this and not allow parasites to cause irreparable harm to the body. That is why you should follow the rules of personal hygiene, monitor food and promptly seek qualified help from a specialist.