Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They differ in slow course and affect important systems. Digestive disorders, weight changes, chronic fatigue are the main signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. To diagnose invasive disease, ultrasound examination of the peritoneal organs, stool analysis for dysbiosis, and biochemical blood tests are performed.
What parasites can live on a person
The causative agents of parasitic pathology are worms, arthropods and unicellular organisms - viruses, fungi, protozoa. In 69% of cases, helminthic invasion is diagnosed, which is provoked by such helminths:
- trematodes (flukes) - schistosomes, feline and hepatic flukes;
- scrapers (acanthocephalosis) - bead -shaped scrapers, giant combs;
- nematodes (ringworms) - mine worms, cream worms, ringworms, whip worms;
- cestodes (tape) - broad tapeworms, bovine tapeworms, echinococcus.
Endoparasites predominate among helminthic invasions, which settle in the small or large intestine. Common arthropod parasitic disease pathogens include:
- lice;
- centipede;
- bamboo;
- insects.
The temporary parasite group includes arthropods and blood -sucking leeches, and the temporary parasite group includes lice, parasitic worms and itchy mites. Often invasive pathology is caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa - amoebas, lamblia.
Parasites have a negative impact on the body, causing 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 number of parasites in the body. The basis of the clinical picture is the immune response to infection with parasitic infections and damage to individual organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are caused mainly by parasitic worms, which are localized in the small intestine. Their waste products cause allergic reactions in the body, narrowing of the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about:
- indigestion;
- bloating;
- sour belching;
- lack of appetite.
More than 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
Stomachache
Stomach pain and a heavy feeling in the stomach are obvious signs of parasites in the body. They irritate the receptors of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which provoke spastic smooth muscle contraction. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If the parasite-flux acts as a provocateur of invasive disease, abdominal discomfort occurs due to its introduction into the intestinal wall.
Itchy anus
Periodic itching in the anal area and painful bowel movements are the first signs of parasites in the body. Symptoms are caused mainly by cream worms, more rarely by ascaris. The first lays eggs in the anus, which causes severe itching.
The lifespan of pinworms is only 1. 5 months. Parasite eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Failure to adhere to hygiene causes infection in oneself, an increase in the number of worms in the body.
Weight change
Weight gain or loss 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 complained of persistent hunger. But if the parasite is localized in the small intestine, more than 70% of the nutrients do not enter the bloodstream.
Blood in the stool
The signs of a parasitic infestation depend on the causative agent of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage:
- human roundworms;
- wide band;
- cream worms.
Penetrating into the body, the parasite causes intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls causes bleeding and mixing of blood with stool.
The skin changes
Allergic reactions are the most obvious sign of parasites in the human body. According to statistics, massive invasion causes toxic allergic changes in 92% of patients:
- itchy skin;
- abscess;
- Red Spot;
- yellowing;
- peeling;
- dry skin.
Yellowing of the skin indicates stagnation of bile in the body, increased activity of liver enzymes.
Decreased immunity
Helminthiasis in adults is accompanied by dysbiosis. More than 75% of immune tissue is located in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore parasitic diseases lead to a lack of secondary immunity. Decreased resistance to infection is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long -term wound and abrasion healing;
- periodic exacerbation of chronic pathology.
Parasites deplete the body’s protective reserves, which reduce the production of antibodies against viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Allergies
Worms poison the body with the products of their vital activity. Poisoning causes autoimmune disorders, which are indicated by the effects of allergies:
- itchy skin;
- bronchospasm;
- rash on the body.
The most notable toxic-allergic reactions give rise to ringworm, 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. At the migratory stage, helminth larvae are carried by the bloodstream. A large number of them settle in the fluid and muscle of the joints, causing a painful sensation.
Palpitations
Parasitic toxins have a negative effect on the function of the cardiovascular system. Massive helminthic invasion causes:
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- high blood pressure.
Dangerous complications are provoked by a representative of the tapeworm - echinococcus. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart, but also in the lungs.
Hair fall
Disruption of the absorption of substances from the intestine causes a lack of many vitamins and metabolic disorders. Therefore, the most common parasitic diseases are:
- dull hair;
- excessively oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Lack of vitamins and minerals causes a recurrence of oily seborrhea, many of which lead to irreversible hair loss.
Changing taste preferences
Violation of taste perception (dysgeusia) when the body is affected by parasites due to changes in the composition of blood proteins, hypovitaminosis.
What are the signs of dysgeusia:
- unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- cravings for sweets;
- dull 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 components cause a decrease in the body's energy storage, disorders of the liver. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain of:
- rapid fatigue;
- persistent drowsiness;
- absence;
- lethargy.
The feeling of tiredness does not go away even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is the absence of vitamins in the body. It occurs when parasites are localized in the small intestine. Symptoms depend on which vitamins are missing. More often, patients complain about:
- dizziness;
- decreased visual acuity;
- frequent nausea;
- Headache;
- skin deterioration.
Long -term vitamin deficiency is dangerous because of dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia - a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in blood cells. When the body is damaged by parasites, vitamin deficiency occurs, which is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes:
- folic acid;
- cyanocobalamin;
- vitamin C.
Anemia with helminthiasis is indicated by shortness of breath, headache, loss of appetite, tinnitus.
Trembling, sleep disturbances
Infection with parasites in humans is manifested by poisoning, which negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system. After that, there were complaints about:
- sudden mood swings;
- anger;
- depressive state;
- sleep disorders.
Emotional disability against the background of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of damage to the body by parasitic worms.
Impairment of memory and attention
Cognitive impairment - a decrease in intellectual ability, memory and attention - arises against the background of chronic poisoning of the body with the products of vital activity of parasites. Helminthiases cause disturbances in the work of many organs, causing the nervous system and brain tissue to suffer. But in 94% of cases, cognitive impairment is reversible.
Cough
Tuberculosis without symptoms of ENT disease is one of the signs of a parasitic infection. In 8 out of 10 cases, an unproductive cough is provoked by:
- human roundworms;
- coincidentally the lungs.
During the migration stage, worm larvae penetrate the lungs. During coughing, ringworms enter the oral cavity, after which they are swallowed and put into the intestines.
Other signs
Additional symptoms of invasive disease include:
- increased body temperature;
- enlargement of the liver;
- bad breath;
- obstructive jaundice;
- yellow layer on the tongue;
- bronchospasm;
- isolation of worm debris with feces;
- restless sleep;
- chest ache;
- increased gas formation;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain in the right side.
With damage to the brain, neurosis, mental disorders are possible.
Symptoms of Infection with Other Types of Parasites
The clinical picture depends on the causative agent of the parasitic disease.
| Forms of the disease | Symptoms |
| giardiasis | nausea, abdominal pain, itching, bloating, fever |
| pediculosis | itchy scalp, burns on flea bites, red spots and nodules on the head, insomnia, nits in the hair |
| mycosis | peeling skin, nail damage, sour smell, thickening of the epidermis, cracks |
| amoebiasis | abdominal pain, congestion, bloody stools, poor appetite. |
There are many signs of invasive lesions on the body. To exclude complications, it is recommended to perform a blood test for parasites at least once a year.
Why are untreated parasitic infections dangerous?
Parasitic infections have systemic effects on the body, disrupting the function of all organs. Delayed treatment leads to:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- rectal prolapse;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleurisy;
- stomach ulcer;
- meningoencephalitis;
- heart failure;
- purulent peritonitis.
If there is a chronic disease, the parasite complicates its journey. Ignoring invasive diseases is dangerous with disability and even death.
Diagnostics and treatment
Laboratory tests are used to identify parasites:
- scraping enterobiasis;
- coprogram;
- stool analysis for egg leaves;
- enzyme immunoassay for antibodies against parasites.
In case of intestinal invasion, 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 diagnostics, which are carried out 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the outcome of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- anti-nematodic;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad spectrum anthelmintics;
- antifungal;
- anti-lice;
- remedy for scabies mites.
Parasitic cysts (such as echinococcal cysts) are removed surgically.
The clinical manifestations and methods of treatment of parasitic diseases depend on the type of pathogen. Parasites enter the body through natural openings - mouth, skin pores, urethra, etc. Timely diagnosis and therapy of invasive pathology prevent complications - meningitis, peptic ulcer, myocarditis.