The life activity of people is closely related to various microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly in it.
According to some studies, each of us is home to approximately 100 trillion.all types of unicellular organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live through their hosts are classified as parasites, with fungi, bacteria, and viruses being distinguished separately.
Pests in the human body can be divided into types:
- protozoa - amoeba, plasmodia, pneumocystis, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods - mites, insects and others.
Their initial task is considered to be a secret existence.Because of this, many of them are difficult to detect immediately;sometimes a disease 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.
This is why every adult must be tested for parasites once a year.
A range of signs and symptoms caused by parasitic organisms
First of all, the presence of parasites in the human body is indicated by:
- Any disorder in the gastrointestinal tract can indicate the appearance of worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general fatigue, as a result of the lack of necessary microelements that the pest has sucked.
- All kinds of allergic manifestations - runny nose, rash, cough caused by unreasonable factors (the cause will often be called parasite waste).
- Weight loss with adequate nutrition.
- Dull skin due to the absence or lack of essential vitamins due to their absorption by parasites.
- Itching in the anus (a sign of enterobiasis caused by pinworms).
- Problems with nails and cracked 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 and conduct appropriate studies of the disorder.
Tests to detect parasites in adults
It is impossible to cover the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms with one specific and cheap research method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often carried out.
In addition, urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissues of the human body can be diagnosed.
Consider the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological co-program
Fecal parasite testing involves using a microscope to examine a patient's fecal matter for the presence of larvae, eggs, or fragments of mature parasites.
Many types of worms can be identified using this method, but it shows maximum effectiveness in detecting harmful organisms that live in the intestines.
It allows you to diagnose ascariasis, hookworm, trichuriasis, enterobiosis and others.
For a detailed stool analysis to identify parasites, fecal matter is collected in a jar that is issued in a hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is filled to a third, taking into account the fact that foreign substances (blood, urine) should not enter it.
Collection takes place until 11:00 a.m.If fecal matter 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.When you donate a chair, you must sign your jar.
Before donating fecal matter, the patient must prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintic drugs, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be kept in mind that rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited before the collection procedure, and the consumption of fatty foods should be avoided four days before the procedure.
This type of diagnosis is one of the cheapest, but the informative content of the examination often does not reflect the true picture after one check.
Egg laying by helminths does not happen every night, so this test is carried out 2-4 times with an interval of 3-5 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 review for enterobiosis.Its meaning is to detect pinworm eggs, which are deposited in large quantities in the anus at night.
The smear is taken with a special spatula or an ordinary moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply the tape to the anus and perineal area, then stick it to a specially prepared clean glass.
Before taking parasite tests, they must 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.
A scraping, like a stool test for parasites, is an inexpensive test, but it only reveals one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably informs about the presence of a certain pest in a person.Microorganisms in the process of their harmful life activity release various toxins, and our body responds with antibodies.
Often the parasites live in the liver and lungs and cannot be detected in any other way.
The following blood tests are different:
- for the causative agent of trichinosis;
- enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
- general;
- on Giardia;
- for the causative agent of echinococcus;
- about the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- to the causative agent of toxocarosis.
Each of these studies accurately determines the presence of harmful organisms and the extent of organ damage using antibodies.But to choose which parasite tests you should take, you should always see a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of parasitic pinworms or roundworms.And, for example, detection of an increased amount of immunoglobulin antibodies using ELISA for parasites makes it possible to diagnose any type of helminth in the human body with 90% accuracy.
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, you must first stop taking any medications that could have a detrimental effect on the study.It is recommended that you 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 takes place in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an amount of approximately 4 ml from the cubital vein.The results of the study are usually ready after 2-3 days, but it takes up to 9 days to identify some parasitic organisms.
How to identify parasites using other methods
In rare cases, in order to get an accurate picture of the development of the disease, the expert prescribes:
- chest x-ray- shows calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pork tapeworm;
- computed tomography of the chest— will show calcifications, as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infection with harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as in the fight against other diseases, it is better to fight against pests through prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven foods;
- subject meat and fish to thorough heat treatment;
- Maintain intimate hygiene regularly.
But even following all the rules does not guarantee 100% safety.Therefore, you should not ignore the symptoms, but immediately contact a specialist and undergo the necessary tests.