How can you identify parasites in the human body?

Parasitic organisms are not something abstract and far away. Many people don’t even think that they don’t live "on their own. "Entire colonies of microorganisms live on the skin and inside the human body. Some of them are dangerous and harmful, while others are necessary for a healthy life and proper functioning of the body. Normal microflora is armor against pathogenic proliferation; beneficial microorganisms help create the necessary acidity of the environment and participate in many chemical processes in the body. In addition to microbes, dangerous protozoa or parasitic worms may exist in the human body. As they develop and multiply, they negatively affect human health, suppress the immune system, and interfere with the smooth functioning of all systems. How to identify parasites in the human body if parasitic infestations are often asymptomatic? Often a person gets sick and fades away, but does not in any way connect this with the presence of parasites.

Symptoms of a dangerous neighborhood

Parasites in the human body in most cases are small in size; they live the entire or partial cycle of their life in the body of the host. Modern science has studied more than three hundred species of parasites that can live in the human body. Once inside, helminths affect the intestines, suppress the immune system, and negatively affect vital organs. With timely detection of parasites and adequate treatment, serious health problems can be prevented: allergies, kidney and liver dysfunction. You can find out whether uninvited guests are present in the body using modern diagnostic methods. There are a number of symptoms that indirectly indicate infection. If you pay close attention to your health, a person should notice unpleasant new changes and not ignore them. The main manifestations of a parasitic infection are the following symptoms:

1. A decrease in body weight, often this occurs against the background of a decrease in appetite, but often a person notices an increase in appetite, while losing weight.
2. The development of anemia occurs due to the massive infestation of parasites and, as a result, a lack of nutrients in the human body.
3. Indigestion, a person notes frequent diarrhea, which alternates with constipation.
4. Development of problems associated with malfunctions of the digestive tract.
5. Constant discomfort under the ribs on the right.
6. Symptoms of arthritis, which manifests itself in the form of pain in muscles and joints.
7. Deterioration in appearance, skin lesions in the form of rashes, redness or peeling are noted.
8. An increase in the number of infectious diseases due to decreased immunity.
9. Allergic reactions due to poisoning by parasite waste products.
10. Deterioration of character, the appearance of irritability, aggressiveness as a result of a lack of important microelements and vitamins.
11. Decreased performance, feeling of constant fatigue, drowsiness.
12. Sleep disturbance, decreased ability to concentrate.

The mentioned symptoms are inherent in a large number of diseases, so it is impossible to say 100% that a person is infected with parasites. The diagnosis is made by a specialist after an examination.

How does parasite infection occur?

A person can become infected with parasites in different ways. Knowing the routes of transmission, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting a parasitic infection:

1. Eating under-processed vegetables, fruits and greens. A large number of parasites are transmitted to humans through the consumption of poorly processed plant foods. This happens due to transmission of infection from contaminated soil. To protect yourself, it is important to carefully handle vegetables and fruits and wash your hands before eating.
2. Drinking dirty water. To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to drink only boiled water. When visiting developing countries, you should only drink bottled water. You cannot swim in unknown bodies of water, especially if there is a ban on swimming in certain water sources by the sanitary service.
3. Consumption of semi-raw meat and fish products. There are parasites that are transmitted this way. To protect yourself, it is important to avoid eating under-processed meat; eat only those products that have a quality certificate and have been tested by sanitary services. During cooking, you should observe the temperature regime and thoroughly fry (boil) the product.
4. Contact with an infected person. Some helminthiases are transmitted through household contact. The most popular group that people become infected with from a sick person are pinworms. A disease such as cysticercosis is also widespread. To protect yourself from infection, you need to wash your hands before each meal or after visiting crowded places, and do not eat food prepared by strangers in spontaneous markets or in dubious eateries.
5. Contact with feces or skin parasites of infected animals. To protect yourself, it is important to carefully observe hygiene and systematically treat your pets for fleas.

Diagnostic methods: traditional methods

The classic way to diagnose parasites in the body is stool analysis. Collect it in the morning immediately before delivery in a glass container with an airtight lid. The maximum possible storage period for feces is no more than ten hours in a cold place. The analysis detects worms of different groups.

The most effective method is considered to be used in identifying parasites such as:

• roundworms;
• whipworms;
• tapeworm;
• tapeworms;
• fluke;
• schistosomes.

The presence of pinworms is diagnosed by nighttime itching. A scraping is used to diagnose enterobiasis. It is made using a special adhesive tape. The effectiveness of the technique is very high, the main thing is to perform the procedure correctly. A scraping is taken by a medical professional before washing the genitals. To get an accurate result, it is recommended to re-test a few days after the initial collection.

Donating stool is not always effective; some people do not like this simple procedure, considering it extremely unpleasant. For this reason, it is necessary to know how to detect parasites in other ways.

Diagnostic methods: new options

If you notice the appearance of unusual symptoms, a person should visit a specialist and undergo an examination. This will help find the source of the problem and recognize the type of helminth. There is a set of diagnostic measures that make it possible to accurately identify the presence of parasitic organisms, determine their type, quantity, and location.

Some time ago, the presence of helminths was diagnosed by taking a stool sample. The method is simple and painless, but its accuracy is low. Often the result is false negative, and the person continues to suffer from helminthiasis or parasitic infestation. To get the most correct result, you will need to pass stool at least ten times a month. Only in this case can you get an accurate answer. This is due to the characteristics of life activity and development cycles of parasites.

Modern medicine offers more accurate ways to identify dangerous neighbors in the human body:

1. X-rayorendoscopy (biopsy)helps identify parasites in internal organs.
2. PCR. A sample of saliva, blood or secretions is taken to determine the DNA of the parasite. The analysis allows us to determine the type (type) of the parasite.
3. Linked immunosorbent assaymakes it possible to identify antigens. The technique allows you to get very high results. In addition to identifying the parasite, the analysis helps to determine the type of parasite, the number and development characteristics of the pathogenic individual.
4. Bioresonance research. The technique allows you to confirm the presence of parasites in the body, but cannot determine its type, location or number.

Correct behavior when infected

If a person suspects that he is infected with helminths, he should not begin self-medication, he must visit a specialist. The therapist will give a referral to a parasitologist or infectious disease specialist to clarify the diagnosis. Self-medication not only turns out to be ineffective, but can also cause the condition to worsen.

Drugs against parasites are characterized by high toxicity and have a specific application. When diagnosing parasites, the doctor prescribes a drug that affects a specific type of helminth. Having no idea what organisms coexist with humans, it is forbidden to undergo a course of therapy; taking antiparasitic drugs will not have an effect on the problem.

Thanks to the availability of many research methods, it is possible to easily determine not only the type of parasite, but also its location and the degree of infection of the body. Do not ignore the problem; timely and competent treatment guarantees recovery without serious consequences for the body.