Doctors recommend taking regular blood tests for parasites, because even if you follow the rules of hygiene, it is not always possible to protect yourself from infecting them. For preventive purposes, this procedure must be done for both children and adults. Helminths can be in the human body for more than ten years without showing symptoms. In order to detect the presence of parasites, it is necessary to make a diagnosis.
Pathways of Infection
Worms can enter the body in several ways. Doctors identify four main pathways:
- through the ground and then the water (helminths enter the soil along with the feces);
- from person to person contact;
- through raw, poorly cooked meat or fish;
- using insects.
Reproduction of worms in the human body is excluded. Each type of helminth has a specific lifespan.
An increase in worms in the body only occurs when they are re-infected. To reduce the risk of infection, people must maintain good hygiene.
Symptoms of worm infection
General signs of the presence of worms in the human body are expressed by sharp weight loss, pale skin, a person is worried about itching in the anus. But there are other manifestations that are disguised as other diseases.
- Disorders of the digestive tract. The person is worried about stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. In the process of vital activity, some worms secrete certain substances that cause diarrhea.
- Disorders of the normal functioning of the nervous system. Helminths release toxins that can cause intoxication of the body. In turn, this negatively affects the state of the nervous system.
- Allergic reaction. A person infected with worms may have a rash on the body.
- Decreased immunity. As a result of poor body defenses, people can develop concomitant diseases.
There is an opinion that if a person grits his teeth or snores at night, his body is affected by helminths, but these data have not been scientifically confirmed.
In the presence of one or more of the above symptoms, it is necessary to diagnose the body for the presence of worms. You will need to do a blood test for parasites.
Basic diagnostic methods
There are several main ways to diagnose helminths in the human body.
Stool analysis
Stool analysis is a traditional method for detecting worms. During the study, doctors found worm eggs. You will need to donate feces again to confirm the diagnosis. However, the presented analysis is not a reliable diagnostic method, because the worms may not lay eggs for a long time.
Blood test
Blood test for parasites is a more reliable method that allows you to detect worms at an early stage. All the processes that take place in the human body are reflected in the blood. This type of diagnosis enables not only the recognition of the worm, but also the determination of its type. In the presence of worms in the blood, you can find their waste products.
When parasites are present in the body, a large number of eosinophils will be found in the blood. The diagnosis will need to be confirmed by additional research methods. There are many types of blood tests and they can be called differently.
Scraping for enterobiasis
To detect pinworms in the body, the doctor prescribes a scraping for the patient due to enterobiasis. During the procedure, the doctor passes a cotton swab over the folds of skin near the anus. The obtained sample is sent to the laboratory for further research. The same procedure is done with adhesive tape applied to the folds. The tape is then placed on the glass, glued and removed, and only the glass is sent to the lab.
Immunological blood test
TheEnzyme Immunoassay is a specific study that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of helminths in children and adults. Using this method, it is possible to detect both microscopic parasites and large ones. This analysis for parasites is based on the search for antibodies.
Blood for an enzyme immunoassay is taken from a vein. It is then centrifuged and the blood serum examined.
ELISA results provide complete information on the presence of helminths in the body and their type.
TheImmunoassay consists of two main components:
- immune response;
- enzymatic reaction.
Thanks to the immune response, it is possible to detect the presence of parasites and detect which type of worm has settled in the body. The enzymatic reaction will allow a more detailed study of the identified helminth species and visually measure the data obtained.
In response to a foreign body invasion, the body responds by making antibodies to it.
In the case of damage to the body by worms in the blood, antibodies are formed to toxins and waste products from worms. This technique is based on the study of these antibodies.
The blood test will take 2-4 days. This can be done at any public clinic. It is also possible to undergo a similar study in private clinics.
What other analyzes are there?
In addition to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, parasites can be detected in other ways.
The following blood tests are used for testing:
- indirect hemagglutination reaction;
- immunofluorescence reaction.
Both methods are also used to determine antibodies in blood serum.
To make a diagnosis, you need to donate blood from a vein. After that, it is immediately transported to the laboratory. These informative methods can show the extent of worm infestation.
How to prepare for the test
Blood for parasites should be given in the morning. It is advisable not to eat anything before the procedure - although food intake is insignificant, it can still affect the final result of the study.
Only water intake is allowed on the day of the parasite test.
To get the most reliable results, in addition to these basic rules, before taking the ELISA test, you must pay attention to the following recommendations.
- You must stop taking the medication three days before the test. Let’s take only those medications that are vital to the body.
- Before the procedure, one should not strain physically or emotionally.
- It is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages and strong coffee the day before the procedure.
- If antiparasitic therapy was administered prior to the test, it is better to temporarily delay the procedure.
- Physiotherapy procedures can affect the test result, so two procedures should be skipped before the ELISA blood test.
Properly conducted analysis shows absolutely all the parasites present in the human body.
How to protect yourself from worms
Worms in most cases enter the body with dirty hands, so it is necessary to respect their hygiene.
Vegetables and fruits bought in the markets must be washed thoroughly. According to studies, worm eggs often accumulate on vegetables and fruits.
Care should be taken when buying meat and fish. It is important to buy only meat that has passed veterinary control. Meat and fish should be thoroughly cooked.
If there are animals in the house, you should always wash your hands after them. Pets should have regular worm prophylaxis.