The vital activity of people is closely linked to a variety of microorganisms that not only inhabit the external environment, but also live directly inside it.
According to some studies, each of us houses approximately 100 trillion.all types of unicellular organisms.
In medicine, all organisms that live through their hosts are classified as parasites, distinguishing separately from fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Pests on the human body can be divided into types:
- protozoa - amoebas, plasmodia, pneumocystis, lamblia, trypanosomes and others;
- helminths – parasitic worms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- various arthropods – mites, insects and others.
Your initial task is considered a secret existence.This is why many of them are difficult to detect immediately;Sometimes an illness 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.
Therefore, every adult needs to 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 disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract may indicate worms.
- Susceptibility to infectious diseases and general tiredness, due to lack of necessary microelements sucked up by the pest.
- All types of allergic manifestations - runny nose, rash, cough caused by irrational factors (the cause is often called parasite residues).
- Weight loss with proper nutrition.
- Dull skin due to the absence or deficiency of essential vitamins due to their absorption by parasites.
- Itching in the anus (sign of enterobiasis caused by pinworms).
- Problems with cracked nails and heels.
Individual cases do not always mean the presence of harmful organisms in a person, but if several signs combine, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible for advice and carry out appropriate studies of dysfunctions.
Tests to detect parasites in adults
It is impossible to capture the entire spectrum of parasitic organisms in a specific and inexpensive survey method.Therefore, a comprehensive analysis for parasites is often performed.
In addition, the following can be diagnosed: urine, feces, sputum, blood and tissue areas of the human body.
Let us consider the types of research used in modern medicine.
Histological coprogram
Testing for fecal parasites involves using a microscope to examine the patient's fecal matter for larvae, eggs, or fragments of mature parasites.
Using this method, many types of worms can be identified, but it shows maximum effectiveness in detecting harmful organisms living in the intestines.
It allows diagnosing ascariasis, hookworm, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and others.
For a detailed analysis of feces to identify parasites, fecal matter is collected in a vial provided at a hospital or purchased at a pharmacy.This container is filled to a third, taking into account that foreign substances (blood, urine) should not get into it.
Collection takes place until 11am.If fecal matter is stored in the refrigerator, it can be examined within 8 hours.But in the best case scenario, the collected material must be transferred to the laboratory within an hour.When donating feces, you need to sign your jar.
Before donating fecal matter, the patient needs to prepare in advance.To do this, you need to stop taking anthelmintic medications, special tablets to normalize digestion and antibiotics for a week.It should be remembered that before the collection procedure, both rectal suppositories and various enemas are prohibited, and the consumption of fatty foods must be eliminated 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 a single check.
Egg laying by helminths does not occur every night, therefore this test is carried out 2 to 4 times with an interval of 3 to 5 days.If several tests give negative results, you can be 99% sure that there are no worms parasitizing the intestines.
Scraping
The main and simplest test for enterobiasis.Its meaning is to detect pinworm eggs, which deposit them in large quantities in the anus at night.
The smear is made with a special spatula or an ordinary moistened cotton swab.An alternative option is to carefully apply adhesive tape to the anus and perineum area, and then stick it to a specially prepared clean glass.
Before testing for parasites, they should 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.
Scraping, like the fecal parasite test, is an inexpensive test, but it only detects one type of worm.
Types of blood tests
Each type of blood test reliably reports on the presence of a specific pest in a person.In the process of their harmful vital activity, microorganisms release various toxins, and our body responds with antibodies.
Often, parasites live in the liver and lungs and cannot be detected otherwise.
The following blood tests are distinguished:
- for the causative agent of trichinosis;
- enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
- in general;
- in Giardia;
- for the causative agent of echinococci;
- in the causative agent of ascariasis;
- for the causative agent of opisthorchiasis;
- about the causative agent of toxocariasis.
Each of these studies accurately determines the presence of harmful creatures and the degree of organ damage through antibodies.But to choose which parasite tests you need to take, you should always consult a doctor.
Even a general blood test can accurately indicate the presence of parasitic worms or roundworms.And, for example, detecting 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 all medications that may have a detrimental effect on the study.It is advisable to consult your doctor about this.
The day before the test, be sure to exclude fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks and all types of sweets from your diet.The procedure itself takes place in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Donate blood in an approximate quantity of 4 ml from the cubital vein.Study results are usually ready after 2 to 3 days, but identification of some parasitic organisms will take up to 9 days.
How to identify parasites using other methods
In rare cases, to obtain an accurate picture of the development of the disease, a specialist prescribes:
- chest x-ray- presents calcifications in the lungs, shoulder girdle and liver, which means the presence of pork tapeworm;
- chest computed tomography— will present calcifications, as well as areas of pneumosclerosis;
- Ultrasound- allows you to see round cysts.
Prevention
Infection from harmful creatures always brings many health problems.
Therefore, as with the fight against other diseases, it is better to combat pests with prevention, which consists of simple actions:
- wash your hands more often;
- eat proven foods;
- subject meat and fish to complete heat treatment;
- Maintain intimate hygiene regularly.
But even following all the rules does not guarantee 100% safety.That is why you should not ignore the symptoms, but immediately contact a specialist and do the necessary research.