Parasitic infections is a group of diseases, pathogens are microorganisms of the class protozoa, and helminths (worms). Today there are more than 200 types of parasites, of which 70 species are found in the territories of the european countries and russia.
Parasites which have penetrated into the human organism, they develop and exist thanks to the "exploitation" of the resources of his agency, in replacement of the poisoning to their products of their livelihood and causing many dysfunction of organs and systems.
In the first stage of development of the worm invasion diagnosis of the disease practically impossible, because the man still does not feel the presence of parasites and your well-being is satisfactory.
Even after some time, the man still does not feel the discomfort of the presence of parasites in the body, just sometimes you can see small, individual problems in the functioning of certain organs and systems. In this case, an important factor is the care of your health. After all, even a slight discomfort can be the first sign of warning about the development begins from the disease.
Most often the infection is diagnosed by chance, as a result of the planning of the medical review, or when the person has already sought medical attention as a result of the dynamics of the worsening of the general state.
Classification of the parasites
The parasites are classified into:
- protozoa are micro-organisms (giardia, Toxoplasma gondii, the dysentery amoeba);
- helminths (ostritsy, ascaride, Toxocara)
Worms, very diverse group of parasites, which is characterized by different life cycles, biological characteristics, distribution in the interior of the organism and specific development in the same. Therefore, it is classified as helminths by different principles: the structure, life cycle, depending on the location of parasites and the duration of the interaction with the host organism.
Biological principles are distinguished:
- Bio-helminths (bovine and swine tsepen, Echinococcus, opisthorchis). The life cycle of these parasites should be performed in two or even three intermediate owners, that is to say, in other living organisms.
- Geo-helminths (Ascaris, vlasoglav, Ancylostoma). In the process of its development, does not require a change of love, which appear next to fecal masses in the environment and are found in the soil, and at a certain temperature and the moisture in the eggs develop larvae. The eggs, which are alive, the larvae penetrate the body and produces the next phase of its development.
- Contact helminth (pinworm, dwarfish tsepen) the data of the parasites stand out in the environment, along with fecal masses, and when the breach of personal hygiene, the infection occurs by the oral route-by half, that is to say, the eggs of these parasites man swallows it. The main source of infection is dirty hands.
By the structure helminths are divided into:
- nematode or roundworm (ostritsy, ascaride,vlasoglavy);
- trematody or flukes (schistosoma, opisthorchis, jasmine and Fluke);
- cestodes or tapeworms (Echinococcus, bovine and swine tsepen).
By the location in the body are distinguished:
- helminths intestinal (ostritsy, ascaride, bovine and swine tsepen);
- out gastrointestinal (alveolar, opisthorchiasis, trichinella).
The routes of infection of parasites
There are different forms of infection of worms:
- Eat the meat dishes, that have not been of the quality of the heat treatment, the meat can be parasites, which are fixed in the muscles of cows, and of sheep, cattle, eating this flesh, the man gets the infection from pork, and strength tapeworm, Echinococcus.
- The consumption of meat, salted, smoked, bit of a loner and raw fish. In the raw fish are opisthorchis and the choice of lentets, since the life cycle of these parasites involves the change of some of the owners, one of which is fish.
- The consumption of raw water from unknown sources, washing dishes, vegetables and fruits in water, for example, on vacation.
- When working in the garden, gloves, protection geo-helminths can fall into the hands, and through the hands in the mouth. It is also possible to acquire this type of parasites through contaminated vegetables, vegetables and berries.
- Through contact with a pet. Dogs are allowed and cats are carriers and promoters of many parasites. Above all, they should not allow pets to decrease in the same bed with the people or allow them to lick the face and the hand of man.
- The source of infection can become a man infected with the acute form of the helminths.
The symptoms of the worms to the adult person
The signs of worms in man are manifested already at the stage of development of the infection. Of course, there are some signs of body issues already in the beginning of the disease, the most important thing, at the time of pay attention to them and to interpret correctly. In the early stages of the penetration of the parasites in the body of the person may experience minor symptoms, which can be taken, as a result of other diseases:
- fatigue;
- frequent headaches;
- the growing weakness;
- increased irritability;
- sleep disorders;
- the reduction of weight for no apparent reason;
- apathy and depression.
In the next stage of development of the worm invasion, is seen the total of The allergy of the body. In the epidermis of the skin of the patient appear in a different type of eruptions, and clinical studies of blood detects the increase of eosinophils, demonstrate that the development of an allergic reaction.
When the parasite transforms into its adult stage and is localized in an organ, symptoms appear that are characteristic of the sphere of the presence of parasites. Often helminths are found in a slimmer design or the colon, therefore, you experience the characteristic symptoms in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of dyspeptic disorders (fermentation and putrid phenomena):
- pain in the navel area;
- the loss or decrease of appetite;
- in some cases, increased appetite;
- flatulence; rumbling and bubbling in the stomach;
- the constipation and the diarrhea;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- sensation of swelling.
Later occurs the development of anemia and IMR, because the person lacks the nutrients that are intercepted by the parasites. In this case, the person feels:
- the chronic fatigue;
- dizziness;
- the growing weakness;
- headaches.
In heavy run of cases, observed the development of serious diseases that require urgent treatment:
- allergic myocarditis;
- meningoencephalitis;
- pneumonia;
- hepatitis b, or the violation of hemostasis;
- haematuria (blood in the urine);
- the decrease of the body's defenses (failure in the functioning of the immune system);
- the breach in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- the defeat of the lymph nodes.
The decrease of the body's defenses, increases the likelihood of development of viral and bacterial infections. And, in children, the parasites cause delay in physical growth and mental development. The symptoms of worms in man are of a general nature, however, different types of parasites and their location in the body promotes the development of specific symptoms on the part of the affected organs.
The clinical picture when the invasion of the different types of parasites
Depending on the helminth that lives in the body, the symptoms can be very diverse.
For example, if the enterobiasis the main symptoms are:
- itching in the anal area;
- the pain in the abdominal area;
- wolverina girls, with the impact of the parasites in the mucosa of the vagina.
The initial phase living with roundworms, which is called migration, is manifested in the form of:
- respiratory diseases: bronchitis, laryngitis, or tracheitis.
When intestinal of form living with roundworms are observed:
- nausea and vomiting;
- the pain in the stomach;
- the decreased appetite;
- eruptions on the skin;
- the increase of eosinophils in the blood.
In heavy run of cases is observed:
- the violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
- with the further development of the peritonitis and appendicitis (in case of contact with Ascaris in the appendix).
- the liver;
- bowel obstruction (when it obstructs the lumen of the intestine).
When infected with the cestode units (worms) in the process of defecation, with fecal masses are separated from the part of the parasite. In this scenario, you experience the following symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting;
- the growing weakness;
- dizziness and headaches;
- the constipation and the diarrhea;
- the pain in the stomach;
- the decrease of the mass of the body.
When the progression of the disease is observed the development of severe anemia, that is called the lack of vitamin b 12 and iron.
Opisthorchis its presence in the body can lead to the defeat of the bile ducts in the liver, the gallbladder and ducts of the pancreas. Given that the presence of parasites in these organs, constitutes an obstacle to the reflux of bile, develops cholecystitis; dyskinesia of the bile, pancreatitis. The inflammatory processes in these organs, accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the indicators, the weight in the right upper quadrant, the pain of the gallbladder (biliary colic), nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. The presence of Trichinella in the body causes a major defeat for the muscles: intercostal, chewing, the muscles of the tongue, the throat, the eyes, the iris.
Hookworm, vlasoglavy, schistosoma, the choice of lentets cause in the body of the anemia, systemic intestine, beriberi, altered metabolism. And when the urine-sexual schistosomiasis appears the symptoms, such as the need to urinate with blood.
When alveococcosis, Echinococcusoz, cysticercosis in the initial phase is largely asymptomatic, however, when the acute phase, the development occurs, the resentment and the rupture of small cysts of parasites, which leads to very serious consequences:
- peritonitis;
- the pleurisy;
- anaphylactic shock;
- damage to the blood vessels and chronic hemorrhage (hookworm feed on the blood);
- the defeat of the central nervous system.
The nematodes Strongyloides cause the development of allergic reactions of the biliary pathology and the failure in the work of gastrointestinal.
The test, which can determine the presence of parasites in the body
This test can detect the presence of parasites in the body. To do this, you just have to answer the following questions:
- It is observed if you have itching in the anal area?
- If there are eruptions in the skin?
- Feel if the nausea?
- If it is the vomiting?
- If the insomnia?
- If there is bitterness in the mouth? And with what frequency?
- Increased if the lymph nodes?
- As is often muscle aches? What is your intensity?
- If you notice the loss of mass of the body?
- If you notice the loss of appetite?
- If symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness, decreased concentration and the state?
If you have received 10 positive responses, then it can be assumed the existence of worm infection with a high degree of probability. All of these symptoms are observed in the acute phase of the disease development. Due to the fact that in this period of helminths are more active and affect in a substantial manner in the body.
Prevention, anti-worm invasions
The prevention of helminth infection, first of all, it reduces to the application of rules of personal hygiene:
- the frequent washing of the hands;
- the frequent change of wearable and linen;
- timely and the quality of the cleaning of the premises;
- the use of individual objects of life: towels, dishes, etc;
- timely parasites of domestic animals;
- high quality with heat treatment of meat products and fisheries;
- rejection of the consumption of raw fish, precautions to be taken in the food, salt cod, boiled and little soloist of fish;
- all the gardening done with protective gloves;
- use only clean water to drink.
- do not swim in unknown waters;
- perform of drugs for the prevention of helminthiasis twice a year: in spring and in autumn.