Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They differ in a slow course and an impact on vital systems. Digestive disorders, changes in body weight, chronic fatigue are the main signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. To diagnose invasive diseases, an ultrasound of the peritoneal organs, a stool analysis for dysbiosis, and a biochemical blood test are performed.
What parasites can live in a person?
The causative agents of parasitic pathologies are worms, arthropods and unicellular organisms: viruses, fungi, protozoa. In 69% of cases, helminthic invasions are diagnosed, which are provoked by such helminths:
- trematodes (trematodes) - schistosomes, feline and liver flukes;
- scrapers (acantocephalosis) - bead-shaped scraper, giant comb;
- Nematodes (roundworms): hookworms, pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- cestodes (tape): broad tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus.
Endoparasites predominate among helminthic invasions, which settle in the small or large intestine. Common pathogenic arthropods of parasitic diseases include:
- ticks
- centipede
- Rush;
- insects.
The group of temporary parasites includes blood-sucking arthropods and leeches, and the group of permanent parasites includes lice, parasitic worms, and itch mites. Most often, invasive pathologies are caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa, amoebas, lamblia.
Parasites adversely affect the body, causing undesirable systemic effects: poisoning with waste products, gastrointestinal dysfunction, allergies, anemia.
Common signs of the presence of helminths.
Symptoms depend on the type, location, and number of parasites in the body. The basis of the clinical picture is the immune response to infection by a parasitic infection and damage to individual organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are mainly caused by parasitic worms, which are located in the small intestine. Its waste products cause an allergic reaction in the body, narrowing of the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about:
- indigestion;
- swelling
- sour belching;
- poor appetite.
More than 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and flatulence.
Stomach ache
Abdominal pain and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen are clear signs of parasites in the body. They irritate the receptors of the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing spastic contraction of smooth muscles. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If the parasites-trematodes act as provocateurs of an invasive disease, abdominal discomfort occurs due to their introduction into the intestinal wall.
Anal itching
Periodic itching in the anal area and painful bowel movements are the first signs of parasites in the body. Symptoms are mainly caused by pinworms, less frequently roundworms. The former lay eggs in the anus, which causes intense itching.
The lifespan of pinworms is only 1. 5 months. Parasite eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Non-compliance with hygiene leads to self-infection, an increase in the number of worms in the body.
Change in body weight
An increase or decrease in body weight is a clear sign that there are parasites in the body. Weight fluctuations are the result of:
- increased or decreased appetite due to intoxication;
- metabolic disorders;
- intestinal dysbiosis.
In half of the cases, patients complain of a constant feeling of hunger. But if the parasites are located in the small intestine, more than 70% of the nutrients do not enter the bloodstream.
Blood in the stool
The signs of parasite infestation depend on the causative agent of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage:
- human roundworm;
- wide ribbon
- pinworms.
By entering the body, parasites cause intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls causes bleeding and mixing of blood with stool.
Changes in the skin
Allergic reactions are the most pronounced signs of parasites in the human body. According to statistics, massive invasions cause toxic-allergic changes in 92% of patients:
- skin itch;
- abscesses
- Red dots;
- yellowing
- peeling;
- Dry Skin.
The yellowing of the skin indicates stagnation of bile in the body, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes.
Decreased immunity
Helminthiasis in an adult is accompanied by dysbiosis. More than 75% of immune tissue is found in the gastrointestinal tract, so the parasitic disease leads to secondary immunodeficiencies. A decrease in the body's resistance to infection is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long-term healing of cuts and abrasions;
- regular exacerbations of chronic pathologies.
Parasites deplete the body's protective reserves, reducing the production of antibodies against viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Allergy
Worms poison the body with the products of their vital activity. Poisoning leads to autoimmune disorders, which are manifested by allergic effects:
- skin itch;
- bronchospasm;
- rash on the body.
The most pronounced toxic allergic reactions cause roundworms, trichinella, and echinococci.
Joint and muscle pain
Myalgia and arthralgia (pain in muscles and joints) are signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. In the migration stage, the helminth larvae are carried by the bloodstream. Many of them settle in the joint fluid and muscles, causing painful sensations.
Palpitations
Parasitic toxins negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Massive helminth invasions cause:
- tachycardia (fast heartbeat);
- hypertension.
Dangerous complications are provoked by representatives of tapeworms - echinococci. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart, but also in the lungs.
Hair loss
Poor absorption of substances from the intestines leads to a lack of many vitamins and metabolic disorders. Therefore, the frequent companions of parasitic diseases are:
- dull hair;
- excess oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Vitamin and mineral deficiency leads to relapses of oily seborrhea, which in many causes irreversible hair loss.
Change flavor preferences
Violation of taste perception (dysgeusia) when the body is affected by parasites is due to a change in the protein composition of the blood, hypovitaminosis.
What are the signs of dysgeusia?
- unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- cravings for sweets;
- dullness of taste;
- burning sensation in the mouth
Taste disorders are often associated with gastrointestinal diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Metabolic disorders, deficiency of vitamins and other useful components lead to a decrease in the body's energy reserve, disorders in the liver. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain of:
- rapid fatigue;
- constant drowsiness;
- distraction;
- lethargy.
The feeling of fatigue does not go away even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is the absence of vitamins in the body. It occurs when parasites are located in the small intestine. Symptoms depend on the missing vitamin. Most often, patients complain of:
- dizziness;
- Decreased visual acuity;
- frequent nausea
- Headaches
- deterioration of the skin.
Long-term vitamin deficiencies are dangerous due to dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia: decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood cells. When the body is damaged by parasites, there is a deficiency of vitamins, which are involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes:
- folic acid;
- cyanocobalamin;
- vitamin C.
Anemia with helminthiasis is manifested by shortness of breath, headaches, loss of appetite, tinnitus.
Nervousness, sleep disturbance
Parasitic infection in humans is manifested by intoxication, which adversely affects the functioning of the nervous system. Subsequently, there are complaints about:
- a sudden change in mood;
- anger;
- depressive state;
- Sleep disturbance.
Emotional lability against the background of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of damage to the body by parasitic worms.
Impaired memory and attention.
Cognitive deficiencies, a decrease in intellectual abilities, memory and attention, arise against the background of chronic intoxication of the body with the products of the vital activity of parasites. Helminthiases cause disturbances in the work of many organs, causing the nervous system and brain tissue to suffer. But in 94% of cases, cognitive disorders are reversible.
Cough
A dry cough without accompanying symptoms of ENT disease is one of the signs of parasitic infection. In 8 out of 10 cases, unproductive coughing is caused by:
- human roundworm;
- pulmonary chance.
During the migration stage, the larvae of the worms enter the lungs. When coughing, pinworms enter the oral cavity, after which they are swallowed and deposited in the intestines.
Other signs
Additional symptoms of invasive disease include:
- increased body temperature;
- enlargement of the liver;
- bad breath;
- obstructive jaundice;
- yellow coating on the tongue;
- bronchospasm;
- isolation of worm fragments with feces;
- sleep without rest;
- Chest pain;
- increased gas formation;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain in the right side.
With damage to the brain, neurosis, mental disorders are possible.
Symptoms of infection by other types of parasites
The clinical picture depends on the causative agent of the parasitic disease.
| Disease form | Symptoms |
| giardiasis | nausea, belching, itching, flatulence, fever |
| pediculosis | itchy scalp, burning from lice bites, red spots and nodules on the head, insomnia, nits in the hair |
| mycosis | peeling skin, nail damage, sour smell, thickening of the epidermis, cracks |
| amebiasis | abdominal pain, nausea, bloody stools, poor appetite. |
There are many signs of invasive injuries to the body. To exclude complications, it is recommended to conduct a blood test for parasites at least once a year.
Why are untreated parasitic infestations dangerous?
Parasitic infections have a systemic effect on the body, disrupting the functions of all organs. Delayed treatment leads to:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- prolapse of the rectum;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleuritis;
- stomach ulcer;
- meningoencephalitis;
- heart failure;
- purulent peritonitis.
In the presence of chronic diseases, parasites complicate their course. Ignoring invasive diseases is dangerous with disability and even death.
Diagnosis and treatment
Laboratory tests are used to identify parasites:
- scraping from enterobiasis;
- coprogram;
- stool testing for egg leaves;
- Enzyme immunoassay for antibodies against parasites.
In case of intestinal invasions, an instrumental examination is recommended: ultrasound of the peritoneal organs, colonoscopy and liver scintigraphy.
The effectiveness of anthelmintic therapy is determined based on the results of repeat diagnoses, which are carried out 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the results of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- antinematode;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad spectrum anthelmintics;
- antifungal
- anti-lice;
- Remedies for scabies mites.
Parasitic cysts (such as echinococcal cysts) are removed surgically.
The clinical manifestations and methods of treatment of parasitic diseases depend on the type of pathogen. Parasites enter the body through natural openings: mouth, skin pores, urethra, etc. Timely diagnosis and therapy of invasive pathologies prevent complications: meningitis, peptic ulcer, myocarditis.