
Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body;symptoms may not appear for many years, so most people do not even realize they are carriers of certain harmful organisms.There are many types of parasitic worms that have a natural habitat in the human body.
Parasites get their name from their feeding habits.Unlike bacteria involved in digestion and symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a number of diseases during their life processes.
The main types of parasites found in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and multiply in the human body, and they can enter the body in different ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food well enough to avoid getting such "freeloaders", but as experience shows, even the most extreme measures cannot completely protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of parasite.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that currently not all possible invasions have been studied.More than 250 species of parasitic worms alone are known, and they can live not only in the intestines, but also in other organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, muscle fibers, hair and nails.In fact, any organ of the human body can easily become a nest of many types of parasites.There are several parasites that are common in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, about 100 million people are infected with this parasite every year.As a rule, damage occurs through the ingestion of unwashed vegetables, as well as contaminated objects.Roundworms attack the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.It can be spread not only by humans, but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite in children's groups.Infection, as a rule, dirty hands, dirty household items, soft toys, etc.occurs throughPinworms live in the large and small intestines.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely grow larger than 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including cattle, pork, dogs, dwarf tapeworms, as well as broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system, so they absorb nutrients from the body.These organisms especially love vitamin B12 and folic acid, so patients with such parasites have a significant deficiency of these elements.
- Tokhocara.A parasite that usually affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with the animal.An adult can be 30 cm long.Almost all organs and tissues can be affected, but since this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye, the prognosis is particularly poor if the eyeballs are affected.
- Alveococcus and echinococcus.These microorganisms usually enter the human body through contact with an infected animal carrier or its feces.Often the carriers are foxes.In the human body, these parasites can enter any organ, but they especially like the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Rupture of the cyst can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Corn worm.The parasite is very similar to a roundworm.Infection usually occurs through the skin while walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 cm in length.It can affect almost all organs and tissues.During their lifetime, they release toxic waste into the bloodstream.A representative of roundworms, Trichinella, the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and has a severe course, so it causes the death of the patient in 30% of cases.
- He built a whip.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs when consuming food and water contaminated with eggs of the pathogen.In addition, infection can occur through household items.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary wall of the intestine.The life of the parasite is about 5 years.
- Trematodes.This is a common type of flatworm that can parasitize lung tissue, blood vessels, intestines and liver.As a rule, infection with these parasites occurs through the consumption of insufficiently processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasitic infection
In order to live normally in the human body, parasites stick to the walls of organs using chitin plastic, hooks, hard hairs, varieties, irritate tissues, and cause inflammatory processes.In addition, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste products, and under certain conditions can cause extensive damage by eating healthy tissue.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but can often reveal their presence in overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions.There are several symptoms that are common in people suffering from parasitic infections, including:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue;
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- problems with stool;
- headache and migraine;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations;
- insomnia;
- weakening of the immune system;
- allergic reactions;
- increased irritability;
- reduced performance.
The degree of intensity of manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasites, but also on the degree of their damage to certain tissues.For example, if there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even choking can occur.In the case of parasitic damage to the brain, the manifestations can be very different, including seizures, convulsions, etc. The signs of the presence of parasites in the human body may not show obvious symptoms for a long time, so preventive diagnostics should be carried out periodically to accurately determine the presence of parasites.
Principles of treatment of parasitic infestations
In order to effectively treat parasitic infestations, it is first necessary to identify the type of parasite.It is most often used to identify parasites:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological kaprogram;
- hemoscanning;
- serological research.
All medical anthelmintic drugs can be divided into chemically synthesized substances and herbal drugs.Treatment of parasitic infection is often a very difficult task, because although chemicals are effective in most cases, they are still highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites but also for the human body.After determining the type of parasites, the doctor should prescribe a regimen of antiparasitic drugs.Herbal preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by parasites, but are not dangerous for humans.However, the disadvantages of such agents include that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infections.
Methods of prevention of parasitic infections
In fact, it is quite difficult to completely protect yourself from infection by parasites, because their eggs are extremely persistent and can remain without a host for a long time.At the same time, there are a number of rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you should pay attention to your hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
In addition, antibacterial wipes should always be carried with you, which will be very useful in cases where it is not possible to wash your hands or disinfect the surface.
Products should be purchased only in specialized stores with all certificates confirming their safety.All vegetables, including leafy ones and fruits, should be washed with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and crustaceans should be properly cooked.If boiling or frying is intended, it is very important not to taste the raw meat.Under-salted fish can become infected with parasites, so if it has not been kept in the salt solution for a long time, you should not eat such food.
If there are pets at home, preventive vaccinations should be done to protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect the presence of parasites help prevent dangerous complications.




























