How can you identify parasites in the human body?

Parasitic organisms are not something abstract and distant. Many people do not even think that they do not live "alone". 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 the proper functioning of the organism. 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 can also exist in the human body. As they develop and multiply, they negatively affect human health, suppress the immune system and interfere with the normal functioning of all systems. How to identify parasites in the human body if parasitic infections are often asymptomatic? Often a person gets sick and pales, but in no way connects this with the presence of parasites.

Symptoms of a dangerous neighborhood

Parasites in the human body are in most cases small in size; they live all or part of their life cycle in the host's body. Modern science has studied more than three hundred types 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 if uninvited guests are present in the body using modern diagnostic methods. There are a number of symptoms that indirectly indicate infection. If you pay attention to your health, a person should notice new unpleasant 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, the lack of nutrients in the human body.
3. Indigestion, a person notices frequent diarrhea, which alternates with constipation.
4. Development of problems related to 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 the muscles and joints.
7. Deterioration of appearance, skin lesions in the form of rashes, redness or skin is observed.
8. Increase in the number of infectious diseases due to decreased immunity.
9. Allergic reactions due to poisoning by parasite residues.
10. Deterioration of character, the appearance of nervousness, aggressiveness as a result of the 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. By knowing the routes of transmission, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting a parasitic infection:

1. Eating unprocessed 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 the transmission of infection from contaminated soil. To protect yourself, it is important to handle vegetables and fruits with care and wash your hands before eating.
2. Drinking contaminated 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 can not swim in unknown bodies of water, especially if there is a ban on swimming in certain water sources from 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 raw meat; eat only those products that have a quality certificate and have been tested by sanitary services. During cooking, you must respect the temperature regime and completely fry (boil) the product.
4. Contact with an infected person. Some helminthiasis are transmitted through family contact. The most popular group with which people are infected by a sick person are worms. A disease such as cysticercosis is also widespread. To protect yourself from infection, you should wash your hands before every meal or after visiting crowded places and avoid eating food prepared by strangers in spontaneous markets or in questionable restaurants.
5. Contact with feces or skin parasites of infected animals. To protect yourself, it is important to carefully observe hygiene and systematically treat your animals for fleas.

Diagnostic methods: traditional methods

The classic way to diagnose parasites in the body is stool analysis. Collect 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 reveals worms of different groups.

The most effective method is considered to be used in the identification of parasites such as:

• roundworms;
• whipworms;
• tapeworm;
• ribbons;
• accident;
• schistosomes.

The presence of pinworms is diagnosed by itching at night. 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 swab 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.

Stool donation 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 to find the source of the problem and to know 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 infection. To get the most accurate result, you will need to defecate at least ten times a month. Only in this case you can get a correct 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 the identification of the parasite, the analysis helps to determine the type of parasite, the number and the characteristics of the development of the pathogenic individual.
4. Bioresonance research. The technique allows you to confirm the presence of parasites in the body, but you cannot determine its type, location or number.

Proper behavior when infected

If a person suspects that he is infected with helminths, he should not start self-medication, he should visit a specialist. The therapist will refer to a parasitologist or infectious disease specialist to clarify the diagnosis. Self-medication is not only 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 particular type of helminth. Having no idea what organisms coexist with people, it is forbidden to undergo a course of therapy; taking antiparasitic drugs will not affect 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. Don't ignore the problem; timely and competent treatment guarantees recovery without serious consequences for the body.