Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They change in a slow flow and affect vital systems. Digestive disorders, changes in body weight, chronic fatigue are the main signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. To diagnose invasive diseases, an ultrasound scan of the peritoneal organs, a stool analysis for dysbiosis, and a biochemical blood test are performed.
What parasites can live in a person
The causative agents of parasitic pathologies are worms, arthropods and unicellular organisms - viruses, fungi, protozoa. In 69% of cases, helminthic infestations are diagnosed, which are provoked by such helminths:
- trematodes (plateaus) - schistosomes, feline and hepatic fat;
- scraper (acanthocephalus) - bead-shaped scraper, giant comb;
- nematodes (roundworms) - worm worms, worm worms, round worms, worm worms;
- cestodes (strip) - broad strip, bovine strip, echinococcus.
Endoparasites predominate among helminthic infestations, which settle in the small or large intestine. Common arthropod pathogens of parasitic diseases include:
- ticks;
- penny;
- cane;
- the insect.
The group of temporary parasites includes arthropods and blood-sucking lizards, and the group of permanent ones includes lice, parasitic worms, and itching mites. Very often invasive pathologies are caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa - amoeba, lamblia.
Parasites negatively affect the body, provoking undesirable systemic effects - intoxication with waste products, gastrointestinal dysfunction, allergies, anemia.
Common signs of the presence of helminths
Symptoms depend on the type, location and amount of parasites in the body. The basis of the clinical picture is the immune response to infection with a parasitic infection and damage to individual organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are mainly provoked by parasitic worms, which are localized in the small intestine. Their waste products cause an allergic reaction in the body, narrowing of the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about:
- indigestion;
- bounce;
- sour belching;
- poor appetite.
More than 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and gas.
Stomach ache
Abdominal pain and a heavy feeling in the abdomen are clear signs of parasites in the body. They irritate the receptors of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which provokes spastic contraction of smooth muscle. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If lightning parasites act as provocateurs of an invasive disease, abdominal discomfort occurs due to their insertion into the intestinal wall.
Anal itching
Periodic itching in the anal area and painful bowel movements are the first signs of parasites in the body. Symptoms are mainly provoked by pinworms, less commonly by ascaris. The first lays eggs in the anus, which causes severe itching.
The lifespan of worms is only 1. 5 months. Parasitic eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Failure to observe hygiene leads to self-infection, an increase in the number of worms in the body.
Change in body weight
An increase or decrease in body weight is a clear sign that parasites are in the body. Weight fluctuations are the result of:
- increased or decreased appetite due to intoxication;
- metabolic disorders;
- intestinal dysbiosis.
In half of the cases, patients complain of a constant feeling of hunger. But if the parasites are localized in the small intestine, more than 70% of the nutrients do not enter the bloodstream.
Blood in the stool
Signs of parasitic infection depend on the cause of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage:
- round human worms;
- wide ribbon;
- peg worms.
Penetrating the body, parasites provoke intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls leads to hemorrhage and mixing of blood with feces.
Skin changes
Allergic reactions are the most pronounced signs of parasites in the human body. According to statistics, mass invasions provoke toxic-allergic changes in 92% of patients:
- itchy skin;
- abscess;
- red spots;
- yellowing;
- peeling;
- dry skin.
Jaundice of the skin indicates bile stagnation in the body, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes.
Reduced immunity
Helminthiasis in an adult is associated with dysbiosis. More than 75% of the immune tissue is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so parasitic disease leads to a lack of secondary immunity. A decrease in the body's resistance to infections is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long-term healing of cuts and scratches;
- regular exacerbations of chronic pathologies.
Parasites deplete the body's defenses, which reduces the production of antibodies to viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
allergy
Worms poison the body with the products of their vital activity. Drunkenness leads to autoimmune disorders, which are manifested by allergic effects:
- itchy skin;
- bronchospasm;
- redness on the body.
The most pronounced toxic-allergic reactions provoke roundworms, trichinella and echinococcus.
Joint and muscle pain
Myalgia and arthralgia - pain in muscles and joints - are signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. In the migration phase, the larvae of helminths are carried by the bloodstream. Many of them are placed in the joint fluid and muscles, provoking painful sensations.
Palpitations
Parasitic toxins negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Massive helminthic invasions cause:
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- hypertension
Dangerous complications are provoked by representatives of the worms - echinococcus. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart but also in the lungs.
Hair loss
Impaired absorption of substances from the intestines leads to a lack of many vitamins and metabolic disorders. Therefore, frequent companions of parasitic diseases are:
- dull hair;
- excess oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Lack of vitamins and minerals leads to relapses of oily seborrhea, which in many provokes irreversible hair loss.
Changing taste preferences
Violation of taste perception (dysgeusia) when the body is affected by parasites is due to a change in the composition of blood proteins, hypovitaminosis.
What are the signs of dysgeusia:
- unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- craving for cakes;
- deafness of taste;
- burning sensation in the mouth.
Taste disorders are often associated with gastrointestinal diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and other useful ingredients lead to decreased body energy reserve, disorders in the liver. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain of:
- rapid fatigue;
- persistent drowsiness;
- lack of minds;
- lethargy.
The feeling of fatigue does not pass even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is the lack of vitamins in the body. Occurs when parasites are localized in the small intestine. Symptoms depend on the missing vitamin. Most often, patients complain of:
- dizziness;
- reduced visual acuity;
- frequent nausea;
- headache;
- skin deterioration.
Long-term vitamin deficiencies are dangerous due to the dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia - a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood cells. When the body is damaged by parasites, a deficiency of vitamins occurs, which are involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes:
- folic acid;
- cyanocobalamin;
- vitamin C.
Anemia with helminthiasis is manifested by shortness of breath, headache, loss of appetite, tinnitus.
Nervousness, sleep disturbance
Infection with parasites in humans is manifested by intoxication, which negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system. Then, there are complaints about:
- a sharp change of mood;
- anger;
- depressive condition;
- sleep disturbance.
Emotional endurance against the background of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of damage to the body by parasitic worms.
Deterioration of memory and attention
Cognitive impairments - a decline in intellectual ability, memory and attention - arise against the background of chronic poisoning of the body with the products of the vital activity of parasites. Helminthiases provoke disturbances in the work of many organs, which causes the nervous system and brain tissues to suffer. But in 94% of cases, cognitive disorders are reversible.
cough
A dry cough without accompanying symptoms of ENT disease is one of the signs of parasitic infection. In 8 out of 10 cases, a nonproductive cough is provoked by:
- round human worms;
- pulmonary fluke.
During the migration phase, worm larvae penetrate the lungs. When coughing, roundworms enter the oral cavity, after which they are swallowed and deposited in the intestines.
Other signs
Additional symptoms of invasive disease include:
- increased body temperature;
- liver enlargement;
- Bad breath;
- obstructive jaundice;
- yellow coating on tongue;
- bronchospasm;
- isolation of worm fragments with feces;
- restless sleep;
- chest pain;
- increased gas formation;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain in the right side.
With brain damage, neuroses, mental disorders are possible.
Symptoms of infection with other types of parasites
The clinical picture depends on the cause of the parasitic disease.
| Form of the disease | Symptoms |
| giardiaza | nausea, belching, itching, gas, fever |
| pediculosis | itching of the head, burns on lice bites, red spots and knots on the head, insomnia, hair crumbs |
| mycoses | peeling of the skin, damage to the nails, sour smell, thickening of the epidermis, cracks |
| amebiaza | abdominal pain, gagging, bloody stools, lack of appetite. |
There are many signs of invasive lesions of the body. To rule out complications, it is recommended that you have a blood test for parasites at least once a year.
Why are untreated parasitic infections dangerous?
Parasitic infections have a systemic effect on the body, which disrupts the functions of all organs. Delayed treatment leads to:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- rectal prolapse;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleurisy;
- stomach ulcer;
- meningoencephalitis;
- infrakt;
- purulent peritoneum.
In the presence of chronic diseases, parasites complicate their course. Ignoring invasive diseases is dangerous with disability and even death.
Diagnosis and treatment
Laboratory tests are used to identify parasites:
- scraping for enterobiasis;
- co-program;
- fecal analysis for egg leaves;
- enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to parasites.
In case of intestinal invasions, instrumental examination is recommended - ultrasound of the peritoneal organs, colonoscopy and scintigraphy of the liver.
The effectiveness of anthelmintic therapy is determined based on the results of repeated diagnosis, which is performed 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the results of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- anti-nematodic;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad-spectrum anthelmintics;
- antifungal;
- anti-lice;
- remedies for scabies mites.
Parasitic cysts (such as echinococcal cysts) are surgically removed.
Clinical manifestations and methods of treatment of parasitic diseases depend on the type of pathogen. Parasites enter the body through natural openings - the mouth, skin pores, urethra, etc. Timely diagnosis and therapy of invasive pathologies prevents complications - meningitis, peptic ulcer, myocarditis.