How to 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 "on their own". 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 proper functioning of the body. Normal microflora is an armor against the spread of pathogens; beneficial microorganisms help to create the necessary acidity of the environment and participate in many chemical processes in the body. In addition to microbes, the human body can contain dangerous protozoa or parasitic worms. As they develop and multiply, they have a negative impact on human health, suppress the immune system and prevent the proper functioning of all systems. If parasitic infections are often asymptomatic, how can parasites be identified in the human body? Often a person gets sick and disappears, but in no way associates this with the presence of parasites.

Symptoms of a dangerous neighborhood

Parasites in the human body are usually small in size, they live all or part of their life cycle in the body of the host. 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 have a negative effect on vital organs. With timely detection of parasites and adequate treatment, serious health problems can be avoided: allergies, kidney and liver dysfunction. Using modern diagnostic methods, you can find out if there are uninvited guests in the body. There are a number of symptoms that indirectly indicate infection. If you pay a lot of attention to your health, a person should notice unpleasant new changes and not ignore them. The main manifestations of parasitic infection are the following symptoms:

1. A decrease in body weight often occurs against the background of this decrease in appetite, but often a person notices an increase in appetite when 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 notes frequent diarrhea, which is replaced by constipation.
4. The development of problems related to the malfunction of the digestive system.
5. Constant discomfort under the ribs on the right.
6. Arthritis symptoms are pain in the muscles and joints.
7. Skin lesions in the form of visual impairment, rashes, redness or peeling are noted.
8. An increase in the number of infectious diseases due to a decrease in immunity.
9. Allergic reactions due to poisoning by parasitic waste products.
10. Deterioration of character, appearance of irritability, aggressiveness due to lack of important trace elements and vitamins.
11. Decreased performance, constant feeling of fatigue, drowsiness.
12. Sleep disturbance, decreased ability to concentrate.

The mentioned symptoms are characteristic of a large number of diseases, so it is impossible to say 100% that a person is infected with parasites. After the examination, a diagnosis is made by a specialist.

How does a parasite infection occur?

A person can become infected with parasites in various ways. By knowing the ways of infection, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting a parasitic infection:

1. Eat less processed vegetables, fruits and greens. Many parasites are transmitted to humans through the consumption of poorly processed plant foods. This happens due to the transmission of the infection from contaminated soil. To protect yourself, it is important to handle vegetables and fruits carefully and wash your hands before eating.
2. Drinking dirty water. It is important to drink only boiled water to reduce the risk of infection. When traveling to developing countries, you should only drink bottled water. Do not swim in unknown bodies of water, especially if swimming in certain water sources is prohibited by 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 less processed meat, eat only products with a quality certificate and tested by sanitary services. During cooking, you should follow the temperature regime and fry the product thoroughly (boil).
4. Contact an infected person. Some helminths are transmitted by household contacts. Pinworms are the most popular group that people get infected with from a sick person. A disease such as cysticercosis is also widespread. To protect yourself from infection, you should wash your hands before every meal or after going to crowded places, and avoid eating food prepared by strangers in spontaneous markets or questionable eateries.
5. Contact with feces of infected animals or skin parasites. To protect yourself, it is important to carefully observe hygiene and systematically treat your pets for fleas.

Diagnostic methods: traditional methods

The classic method of diagnosing parasites in the body is stool analysis. Just before delivery in the morning, pack it in a glass jar with an airtight lid. The maximum possible storage time for faeces is no more than ten hours in a cold place. The analysis reveals worms of different groups.

The following are considered the most effective methods used in the identification of parasites:

• roundworms;
• whipworms;
• tapeworm;
• tapeworms;
• coincidence;
• schistosomes.

The presence of pinworms is diagnosed by itching at night. A scraping is used to diagnose enterobiosis. It is made using a special adhesive tape. The effectiveness of the technique is very high, the most important thing is to perform the procedure correctly. Before washing the genitals, scraping is done by a doctor. To get an accurate result, it is recommended to retest a few days after the initial collection.

Donating a stool is not always effective, some people do not like this simple procedure, considering it too 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 contact a specialist and undergo an examination. This will help to find the source of the problem and identify the type of helminth. There is a set of diagnostic measures that allow you to accurately determine 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 best results, you need to pass stool at least ten times a month. Only then can you get an accurate answer. This is related to the characteristics of life activity and development periods of parasites.

Modern medicine offers more accurate methods for identifying 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 parasite's DNA. The analysis allows to determine the type (species) of the parasite.
3. Bound immunosorbent assayallows identification of antigens. The technique allows to achieve very high results. In addition to the identification of the parasite, the analysis helps to determine the type of parasite, the number of pathogenic individuals and their developmental characteristics.
4. Bioresonance research. The technique allows you to confirm the presence of parasites in the body, but cannot determine its type, location or number.

Correct behavior when infected

If a person suspects that he is infected with helminths, he should not start treating himself, but should consult a specialist. The therapist will refer to a parasitologist or an infectious disease specialist to clarify the diagnosis. Self-medication is not only ineffective, but can also worsen the condition.

Antiparasitic drugs are characterized by high toxicity and have a special application. When diagnosing parasites, the doctor prescribes a drug that affects a certain type of helminth. Having no idea what organisms live with people, it is forbidden to take 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 degree of infection of the body. Do not neglect the problem, timely and competent treatment ensures recovery without serious consequences for the body.