General and specific signs of the presence of parasites in the human body

Signs of parasites in the human body depend on the type of specific parasite and its remains. One of the most common signs of parasites in the body is discomfort in the intestines and stomach.

According to WHO statistics, about 95% of the total population of the Earth is infected with parasites - microorganisms that exist and feed on other organisms. Often, the signs of the presence of parasites in the human body go unnoticed, as some of them are very well adapted and the signs can be confused with other diseases.

Types of parasites that often infect the human body

The human body is most often inhabited by:

• roundworms;
• breast worms;
• hookworms;
• Giardia;
• whipworms;
• beef tape;
• wide strip;
• pork strip;
• echinococcus;
• trichinella.

Helminths is the general name for worms that exist in a living organism. Simply put, worms. They are divided into the following types: tapeworms (cystoda), tapeworms (flux) and roundworms (nematodes). The most common type of helminths are roundworms.

They are round in shape and mainly live in the intestine and its various parts. Some of the representatives, for example, Trichinella, can migrate throughout the body. The intestines are the main habitat of roundworms. The size of the parasites in question can reach several meters in length. Some of them begin to develop outside the human body.

Biohelminths undergo a stage of maturation and development in animal organisms. These are, for example, toxokara, strips of beef and pork, etc. Soil is the habitat of geohelminths Geohelminths develop in soil. And they enter humans through the skin or through ingestion. These include many types of roundworms. Contact parasites enter a person through direct contact with another person. Enterobiasis is one of the diseases transmitted by contact parasites, pinworms.

How does infection occur?

You can become infected with parasite larvae by eating raw food (fish, capelin), poorly washed raw vegetables and fruits, insect bites, sexual intercourse, domestic methods, drinking raw water, as well as swallowing water, whileswim in reservoirs, from pets. , across the land.

General signs of the presence of helminths

Very often, it is quite difficult to detect the presence of said pests in the body of an individual. And many symptoms can be confused with a chronic disease and treated without success. The symptoms of the disease can vary depending on the type of worms, their location and quantity. But there are general signs of the presence of parasites in the human body.

allergy

As a result of metabolic processes, worms secrete toxic elements that penetrate into the blood system and contribute to the appearance of allergic manifestations. The rash may appear and disappear periodically. This allergy is difficult to treat with dermatological agents.

Allergies can appear:

• tears, pain in the eyelids and conjunctiva
• chronic runny nose
• shortness of breath, cough
• skin rash, skin and rash, burning
• rosacea, eczema
• congestion in the corners and inflammation of the mouth
• Leukocytosis is an increase in white blood cells in the blood
• scabies in the anal area (leg worms) and on the body
• problem skin and acne
• asthma and dry cough (worms)
• hair loss

Stomach and intestinal discomfort syndrome

Many parasites reside in the large and small intestines of an individual. They stick to the walls, irritate them and contribute to the appearance of inflammatory processes in the organs. The absorption function of nutrients, especially fatty substances, is impaired

A large amount of fatty elements in feces can be detected by laboratory methods.

Bile stagnation

Due to their large size, some parasites can block the bile ducts and cause biliary dyskinesia. These signs can provoke other, more serious liver diseases. Parasites can block the bile ducts, which can adversely affect the liver

Constipation

Worms can block the intestinal lumen. Often, signs of the presence of parasites in the human body are manifested by symptoms such as constipation, and can even lead to intestinal blockage. Diarrhea Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of helminth infection. Prostaglandins, which are produced by parasites, lead to frequent watery stools.

Dysbacteriosis

Due to intestinal dysfunction, symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and excessive gas formation appear, which can be mistaken for dysbacteriosis. But in this case, treatment with antibiotics and probiotics does not give positive results. Decreased immunity Parasites feed on what people eat. They absorb most of the digested nutrients.

Weak immunity can be a consequence of the activity of parasites in the body

Due to the constant reaction of the immune system to the presence of "foreigners", the body's defenses decrease and the immune system weakens. This is manifested by frequent colds, unreasonable increase in temperature, body pain, etc.

Joint and muscle pain

Worms can affect different organs. Trichinella, for example, settles in muscle tissue and can damage it. This is the body's response to the vital activity of parasites.

Change in body weight

One of the signs of helminthiasis is weight loss or obesity. Weight loss occurs due to the inability to obtain nutrients from the foods consumed. And weight gain, as a result of the body's reaction, is the need to "load food for future use". Therefore, before making a decision to gain or lose weight, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination for the presence of parasites in the human body.

Anemia

Some parasites, for example, Trichomonas, can infect various human organs, including the blood. Feeding on its cells, helminthiasis provokes anemia and iron deficiency. Vitamin Deficiency A person experiences a lack of nutrients and vitamins, which causes vitamin deficiency. This is a consequence of the gluttony of the parasites.

Nervousness, sleep disturbance

Insomnia, short, poor sleep, can be a response of the nervous system to the presence of "illegal" residents. Some venoms emerge at night through the anus in order to lay larvae. This can cause discomfort and itching, which causes you to wake up often and does not allow you to fully rest.

"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"

Against the background of general intoxication of the body, lack of vitamins and nutrients absorbed by parasites, an individual may feel constant fatigue, decreased concentration, apathy and memory loss.

Oncology

The presence of parasites does not have the best effect on the human organism as a whole. The normal functioning of all organs is interrupted, inflammation appears, health deteriorates and immunity decreases. Disruption of the normal functioning of the organism due to the influence of parasites can lead to serious consequences

It is important to know that all these signs, with prolonged action, can provoke the formation of tumors and neoplasms.

Inflammation of the larynx and airways

Worms can travel throughout the body. Once they reach the respiratory tract, they cause a severe cough, sore throat and fever. As a result of their vital activity, asthma or pneumonia can also develop.

You should not ignore any symptom that indicates a malfunction of the body. At the first appearance of signs of any of the diseases, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo procedures to check for parasites. This will allow you to receive timely treatment and prevent the destructive effects of toxins from harming your body. The long-term presence of worms in the human body can lead to the development of serious diseases, including cancer or chronic forms of existing diseases.

Specific symptoms of parasite infection

In addition to the general ones, there are a number of special signs of the presence of parasites in the human body, which are characteristic of women and men separately.

For women it is:

• disruption of the regular menstrual cycle;
• vaginal dysbiosis, mycosis;
• inflammation of the ovaries, kidneys, bladder;
• uterine fibroid;
• infertility.

In men, the disease in question manifests itself:

• sexual dysfunction;
• the presence of sand or stones in the kidneys or bladder;
• inflammation of the prostate gland;
• mental disorders.

Differences in symptoms between children and adults

When parasite larvae enter, they encounter a 3-tiered protective barrier:

• saliva;
• gastric juice;
• local intestinal immunity.

In the still fragile body of a child, such protection may not work. And it is children who are most susceptible to the disease in question. In the summer, when children are constantly outside, the risk of getting infected with helminths is very high. Anything can be in the sand if its cleanliness is not monitored. There are more than enough ways of infection for children: children's sandbox, pets, fruits and vegetables that are not always washed, swimming in ponds. Plus, especially for little ones, there is a desire to enjoy everything.

The habit of thumb-sucking only increases the likelihood of contracting a helminthic infection. The most common types of parasites in children include: hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Worms are small white worms, no more than 1 cm in size. They hatch and lay their eggs near the anus. Therefore, the presence of such parasites is always accompanied by itching around the anus. Roundworms are larger in size, their length can reach 40 cm!

Please note that the phenomenon of "bruxism" (teeth grinding) is considered one of the signs of the presence of parasites in the human body and often disturbs children in their sleep. Parents should pay attention to this fact and examine their child for the presence of parasites. Very often, worms live in the intestines, so children can have problems with stools, bloating, vomiting and epigastric pain.

Diagnosis of parasites

The main problem in diagnosing parasitic diseases is that they masquerade as many chronic diseases and it is very difficult to distinguish the true causes of symptoms.

How to determine the presence of parasites

When one or another organ or tissue is damaged, distinctive features prevail.

In the intestines

The most favorable place for parasites to live: high humidity, warm temperature, neutral pH environment. Symptoms of intestinal damage:

• constipation;
• diarrhea;
• bloating;
• intestinal obstruction;
• spasmodic pain, cramps in the abdomen;
• weight loss;
• vomiting;
• nervousness;
• lack (or increase) of appetite.

A person is overcome by helplessness, fatigue and reluctance to move.

In the stomach

With a parasitic infection, the following signs are observed:

• nausea;
• belching;
• saliva;
• heaviness and distension of the stomach;
• diarrhea;
• bleeding during bowel movements;
• itching in the anal area due to worms;
• cough due to irritation of gastric neuroreceptors.

With intestinal acne, saliva can be separated from blood fractions.

In the liver

Symptoms:

• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• belching;
• nausea;
• allergic urticaria;
• yellowing of sclera, oral mucosa and skin;
• loss of hair follicles;
• weakness;
• nervousness;
• anemia.

There is pronounced swelling of the legs and abdomen.

In the blood

Distinctive symptoms:

• fever;
• thickening, enlargement, pain of the lymph nodes;
• rash on the body;
• dizziness, headache;
• thirst;
• lethargy, drowsiness;
• dyspnea;
• blood circulation disorders, expressed by numbness and coldness of the extremities.

Anemia inevitably develops as many parasites destroy red blood cells.

In case of heart damage

There are always signs of pulmonary and heart failure.

• cough;
• dyspnea;
• nervousness, fear;
• weakness;
• chest pain;
• arrhythmia, bradycardia;
• temperature, fever alternating with chills;
• changes in blood pressure;
• sweating;
• paleness of the face, neck;
• anemia.

Signs of hypoxia are observed: cyanosis of the skin of the fingertips, the triangle of the nasolabial membranes and the mucous membranes of the mouth.

In the lungs

Characteristic symptoms:

• dyspnea;
• difficulty breathing;
• periods of dry cough at night;
• asthmatic bronchospasm;
• allergic rhinitis, sneezing;
• chest pain;
• fast pulse;
• mixed.

It is possible to separate the slightly foamy sputum with blood cells.

Under the skin

External symptoms:

• itching small red rashes, large blisters swelling on the skin;
• ulcers, abscesses, warts, eczema;
• fever;
• night sweats;
• dense mobile tumor-like areas under the skin;
• anemia.

Allergic cough and runny nose often develop.

In the eyes

Distinctive symptoms:

• inflammation of the conjunctiva, accompanied by burning and itching;
• pain in the eyes and pain when you move your gaze to the side, up;
• flying fly, cloud thread before the eyes;
• dry mucous eyes;
• blurred vision of objects, double vision;
• headache, dizziness;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• blue under the eyes.

There is a significant deterioration of visual acuity.

Parasitosis is disguised as thousands of diseases, so it is impossible to determine visually, without laboratory tests. The period of cure depends on the accuracy of diagnosis and identification of parasites in the earliest stage of infection.

In the blood

Bloodborne parasites can live in red blood cells, plasma and white blood cells. Types of pests:

• Mansonella is a worm that can grow up to 8 centimeters. It causes dizziness, headache and joint pain, fever, skin problems, numbness in the legs.
• Hemosporidia are unicellular organisms that live in red blood cells.
• Trypanosomes are single-celled organisms that cause Chagas disease and sleeping sickness.
• Plasmodium malaria.

Symptoms of diseases caused by parasites

Very often the disease is named after the parasite that causes it.

Ascariasis

The causative agent of the disease is the roundworm, which is located in the human intestine. The degree of the disease depends on the age of the patient, the severity and duration of the parasitic infection.

Symptoms of ascariasis appear as follows:

• an allergic rash that is localized on the legs, hands and body of the patient;
• increase in temperature, fever;
• general weakness and ill-treatment;
• sweating at night and during the day;
• enlarged liver and aching pain in hypochondrium;
• lack of appetite and vomiting; abdominal pain and cramps;
• constipation and diarrhea; weight loss or gain;
• cough, shortness of breath and chest pain occur during the period of migration of roundworms and their localization in the lungs;
• insomnia;
• decreased cognitive abilities;
• convulsions;
• obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.

Breast worm disease

The causative agents of diseases are helminths, roundworms and nekators. Symptoms of the disease:

• urticaria and dermatitis, when the larvae penetrate the skin, swelling is formed at the site of penetration, which causes a burning sensation and itching;
• bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis are observed during the migration of parasites throughout the human body, in this case the patient suffers from cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness;
• when the larvae reach the intestines, anemia, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and loss of appetite develop;
• nervousness, fatigue, insomnia.

Diphyllobothriasis

The disease is caused by a broad stripe. Symptoms of the disease:

• weight loss;
• diarrhea and constipation;
• loss of appetite;
• low-grade fever;
• increased fatigue and tiredness;
• the presence of worms in the stool in the form of white strips;
• cramps and abdominal pain;
• anemia;
• dizziness and headache;
• cracks and red dots on the tongue;
• pathological processes in the mouth and esophagus;
• intestinal obstruction;
• depression.

Taeniasis

The causative agent of the disease is the pork tapeworm, which is located in the small intestine. Symptoms of the disease:

• fragments of parasite larvae can be observed in vomit;
• diarrhea and constipation;
• weight loss and appetite;
• cramps and abdominal pain;
• anal itching;
• dizziness and headache;
• insomnia and irritability;
• when the larvae are in the brain, cysticercosis develops, which is manifested by speech impairment, epilepsy, delirium, hallucinations, loss of consciousness;
• When the parasite migrates, it is able to penetrate the eyes, heart and lungs.

Echinococcosis

The causative agent of the disease is the Echinococcus tapeworm. The worm is dangerous because it is capable of forming a cyst in almost any internal organ: heart, liver, brain, lungs, etc. The disease is very insidious, since at first it is completely asymptomatic and clinical manifestations are already observed in the later stages of the formation of a hydatid cyst.

Symptoms of the disease:

• the appearance of pain at the site of cyst formation;
• weakness, increased fatigue, drowsiness;
• skin allergies in the form of urticaria and itching;
• disturbances in the functioning of the affected organ: if the liver is affected, then the appetite worsens, nausea and vomiting appear; if the lungs are affected, then there is a cough, shortness of breath, fever, then epilepsy; occurs, paresis of the arms and legs, with the formation of a cyst in the heart, the development of serious cardiac pathologies is possible;
• When a cyst ruptures, the parasites spread with incredible speed to all internal organs and systems, which can lead to very serious complications up to the death of the patient.

Alveococcosis

The causative agent of the disease is the alveococcus tapeworm. This disease is considered indolent: from the moment of infection to the development of the disease, 10 or more years may pass. Disease symptoms: dermatological manifestations:

• skin itching and hives;
• bitterness in the mouth, nausea;
• pain and feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
• liver coli;
• compression is observed in the liver;
• weight loss;
• weakness and abuse;
• When the parasite is localized in the brain, severe headaches and dizziness are observed.

Giardiasis

The disease develops as a result of infection of the human body with intestinal lamblia. Sometimes asymptomatic carriage occurs, without visible signs of the disease. Symptoms:

• disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, belching, diarrhea and constipation;
• specific pain in the navel area;
• loss of appetite, bloating;
• increase in temperature;
• general fatigue, decreased performance;
• irritability and nervousness;
• itchy skin.

Amoebiasis

This disease is caused by a histological amoeba. Sometimes the symptoms of the disease can be completely absent, and sometimes, on the contrary, they appear very clearly. Symptoms appear in two forms: intestinal and extraintestinal. With the extraintestinal form of amoebiasis, the lungs, brain, genitourinary system and skin are affected, but the intestinal form is more common.

Symptoms of intestinal amoebiasis:

• painful diarrhea, with frequent urges (up to 20 times) sometimes with blood;
• abdominal pain;
• increase in temperature indicators;
• vomiting and nausea;
• loss of appetite.

After some time, the symptoms of the disease may disappear by themselves, for a while, and then appear with renewed energy.

Schistosomiasis

The causative agent of the disease is blood schistosomes. The disease has several stages of development:

• at an early stage, the patient develops allergic reactions, which are manifested by redness and swelling, cough with hemoptysis, which is paroxysmal in nature with general malaise and pain in the joints and muscles;
• when the disease becomes chronic, the symptoms are limited to disturbances in the act of urination (pain and pain during urination, increased frequency of urination, urinary incontinence at night and during the day);
• There are particularly severe cases that lead to the death of the patient.

There is a large number of symptoms of parasites in the human body. Without laboratory analysis, based only on the symptoms themselves, it is impossible to diagnose the presence of parasites in the body. The severity of the symptoms depends mainly on the person's defense mechanisms, the location of the parasite and its type.

To determine the presence of parasites, it is necessary to undergo a series of tests

Also, a significant problem is created by the ability of most parasites to exist for a long, sometimes asymptomatic, existence in the human body. Therefore, if there are signs of a slow chronic disease, it is worth doing an examination for the presence of parasites.

Methods for diagnosing parasites:

Direct methods: stool analysis, urine analysis, scraping of the perianal area, subungual phalanges, saliva and duodenal content analysis. These methods have a number of disadvantages, which are related to the characteristics and development period of the parasite, as well as to the condition of the human body.

Ultrasound is also used to study the presence of parasites in the body.

To increase the information content of such a diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo examinations several times. But this does not guarantee that you will receive reliable information. Recently, stool analysis by the PCR method has been used, which significantly increases the effectiveness of direct methods, as it helps to identify parasites by their DNA. But this is only if there are parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.

Indirect methods: x-ray, morphological, ultrasound, biopsy.

Bioresonance methods: Voll method, ART.

The enzyme immunoassay method is to determine the presence of antibodies against different types of parasites in human blood. This method is very informative and helps to identify early forms of the disease.

When to see a doctor urgently

In the initial stages, there may be no signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. It will take years for the parasitic infestation to show up. In the first diseases without a cause, you should consult a specialist doctor. It is important to remember that if a person is worried by any of the symptoms described above, he should immediately contact a specialist (an immunologist or a parasitologist), especially if it concerns children.

The doctor will order tests, which may need to be done several times to get more reliable information. Then the appropriate treatment will be chosen. Helminthiasis is a very serious and dangerous disease. It is important to remember this and not allow parasites to cause irreparable damage to the body. Therefore, you should observe the rules of personal hygiene, monitor your diet and immediately seek qualified help from a specialist.