The vital activity of people is closely related to a variety of microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly inside it.
According to some studies, each of us is home to approximately 100 billion people.all types of unicellular organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live through their hosts are classified as parasites, distinguishing separately fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Pests on the human body can be divided into types:
- protozoa: amoebas, plasmodia, pneumocystis, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods: mites, insects and others.
Its initial task is considered a secret existence.That is why many of them are difficult to detect immediately;Sometimes an illness caused by a parasitic organism can last for years without visible signs or complications.
According to some studies, approximately 85% of humanity is infected with worms and many do not even know it.
Therefore, every adult should get a parasite test once a year.
A variety of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms.
First of all, the presence of parasites in the human body is indicated by:
- Any disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general fatigue, as a result of the lack of necessary microelements absorbed by the pest.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations: runny nose, rash, cough caused by unreasonable factors (the cause is often called parasite debris).
- Weight loss with proper nutrition.
- Dull skin due to absence or deficiency of essential vitamins due to their absorption by parasites.
- Itching in the anus (a sign of enterobiasis caused by pinworms).
- Problems with cracked nails and heels.
Individual cases do not always mean the presence of harmful organisms in a person, but if several signs are combined, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible for advice and to carry out appropriate studies on dysfunctions.
Testing for parasites in adults
It is impossible to capture the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms with a specific and inexpensive study method.Therefore, a thorough parasite analysis is often performed.
Additionally, the following can be diagnosed: urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissue areas of the human body.
Let's consider the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological coprogram
Fecal parasite testing involves using a microscope to examine a patient's fecal matter for larvae, eggs, or mature parasite fragments.
Many types of worms can be identified with this method, but it is most effective in detecting harmful organisms living in the intestines.
Allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and others.
For detailed analysis of stool to identify parasites, fecal matter is collected in a jar delivered to a hospital or purchased from a pharmacy.Este recipiente se llena hasta un tercio, teniendo en cuenta el hecho de que no deben entrar sustancias extrañas (sangre, orina).
La recogida se realiza hasta las 11.00 horas.If the stool is stored in the refrigerator, it can be examined within 8 hours.But in the best case, the collected material must be transferred to the laboratory within an hour.Al donar heces, debes firmar tu frasco.
Before donating fecal matter, the patient must prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintics, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be remembered that before the collection procedure, both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited, and the consumption of fatty foods must be eliminated four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnosis is one of the cheapest, but the information content of the examination often does not reflect the real picture after a single check.
Helminth egg laying does not occur every night, so this test is carried out 2 to 4 times with an interval of 3 to 5 days.If several tests give negative results, then you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestines.
scraping
The main and simplest examination for enterobiasis.Its meaning is to detect pinworm eggs, which are deposited in large quantities in the anus during the night.
A smear is taken with a special spatula or a regular moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply the tape to the anus and perineum area and then stick it on specially prepared clean glass.
Before testing for parasites, they should be sealed in a clean bag and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.When stored in the refrigerator, the material remains suitable for five hours.
Scraping, like examining stool for parasites, is a cheap test, but it only detects one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably reports on the presence of a specific plague in a person.In the process of their harmful vital activity, microorganisms release various toxins, and our body responds with antibodies.
Parasites often live in the liver and lungs and cannot be detected any other way.
The following blood tests are distinguished:
- for the causative agent of trichinosis;
- enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
- general;
- in Giardia;
- for the causative agent of echinococci;
- about the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- about the causative agent of toxocariasis.
Each of these studies accurately determines the presence of harmful creatures and the degree of damage to organs using antibodies.But to choose which parasite tests you should have, it is always necessary to consult a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of pinworms or intestinal worms.And, for example, the detection of a greater number of immunoglobulin antibodies using ELISA for parasites makes it possible to diagnose any type of helminth in the human body with an accuracy of 90%.
The main thing is to contact an experienced specialist who will tell you what kind of analysis you need to identify parasites.
Before donating blood for analysis, it is first necessary to stop taking all medications that may have a detrimental effect on the study.It is advisable to consult your doctor about this.
The day before the test, be sure to exclude fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks and all kinds of sweets from your diet.The procedure itself is done in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an approximate amount of 4 ml from the cubital vein.The results of the study are usually ready after 2 or 3 days, but the identification of some parasitic organisms will take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites using other methods.
In rare cases, to obtain an accurate picture of the development of the disease, a specialist prescribes:
- chest x-ray- shows calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pork tapeworm;
- chest computed tomography— will show calcifications, as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infection by harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to fight pests with prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven foods;
- subject meat and fish to complete heat treatment;
- Maintain intimate hygiene regularly.
But even following all the rules does not guarantee 100% safety.That is why the symptoms should not be ignored, but should immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary investigations.