Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They are characterized by a weak course and effects on vital systems. Digestive disorders, changes in body weight, chronic fatigue are the main signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. Ultrasound examination of the peritoneal organs, stool analysis for dysbiosis and biochemical blood test are performed to diagnose invasive diseases.
What parasites can live in a person
The causative agents of parasitic pathologies are worms, arthropods and single-celled organisms - viruses, fungi, protozoa. In 69% of cases, helminthic invasions caused by such helminths are diagnosed:
- trematodes (flukes) - schistosomes, feline and liver fluke;
- scrapers (acanthocephalus) - bead-shaped scraper, giant comb;
- nematodes (roundworms) - angina worms, pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- cestodes (tapeworm) - broad-leaved worm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus.
Indoparasites predominate among helminthic invasions that inhabit the small or large intestine. Common arthropod pathogens of parasitic diseases include:
- ticks;
- centipede;
- reed;
- insects.
The group of temporary parasites includes blood-sucking arthropods and leeches, and the group of permanent ones includes lice, parasitic worms and itchy ticks. Invasive pathologies are often caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa - amoebae, lamblia.
Parasites have a negative effect on the body, provoke unwanted systemic effects - intoxication with waste products, gastrointestinal dysfunction, allergies, anemia.
General signs of the presence of helminths
Symptoms depend on the type, location and amount of parasites in the body. The clinical picture is based on the immune response to infection with parasitic infections and damage to individual organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are mainly provoked by parasitic worms localized in the small intestine. Waste products cause allergic reactions in the body, narrowing of the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about the following:
- indigestion;
- swelling;
- sour belching;
- poor appetite.
More than 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and flatulence.
Stomach pain
Abdominal pain and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen are obvious signs of parasites in the body. They irritate the receptors of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which leads to spastic contraction of smooth muscles. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If the parasite-flukes act as a provocateur of an invasive disease, they cause discomfort in the abdomen due to their entry into the intestinal wall.
Anal itching
Periodic itching and painful bowel movements in the anal area are the first signs of parasites in the body. Symptoms are mainly triggered by pinworms, less by ascaris. First, it lays an egg in the anus, which causes itching.
The lifespan of pinworms is only 1, 5 months. Parasitic eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Lack of hygiene leads to self-infection and 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 of the presence of parasites in the body. Weight fluctuations are the result of:
- increase or decrease in appetite due to intoxication;
- metabolic diseases;
- intestinal dysbiosis.
In half of the cases, patients complain of a constant feeling of hunger. However, if the parasites are localized in the small intestine, more than 70% of the nutrients do not enter the bloodstream.
Blood in the stool
The symptoms of parasitic invasion depend on the causative agent of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage:
- man built round;
- wide ribbon;
- pinworms.
Parasites that penetrate the body cause intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls causes bleeding and mixing of blood with feces.
The skin changes
Allergic reactions are the most common symptoms of parasites in the human body. According to statistics, mass invasions cause toxic-allergic changes in 92% of patients:
- itchy skin;
- abscess;
- red spots;
- yellowing;
- peeling;
- Dry Skin.
Yellowing of the skin indicates stagnation of bile in the body, increased activity of liver enzymes.
Decreased immunity
In adults, helminthiasis is accompanied by dysbiosis. More than 75% of immune tissue is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so parasitic disease causes secondary immune deficiencies. Decreased resistance of the body to infections is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long-term treatment of cuts and abrasions;
- regular exacerbations of chronic pathologies.
Parasites deplete the body's protective reserves, which reduces the production of antibodies against viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Allergies
Worms poison the body with the products of their vital activities. Intoxication causes autoimmune diseases manifested by allergic reactions:
- itchy skin;
- bronchospasm;
- rash on the body.
The most common toxic-allergic reactions are caused by roundworms, trichinella and echinococcus.
Joint and muscle pain
Myalgia and arthralgia - pain in muscles and joints - are signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. During the migration stage, helminth larvae are carried in the bloodstream. Many of them are located in the joint fluid and muscles that cause painful sensations.
Heartbeat
Parasitic toxins adversely affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Mass helminthic invasions cause:
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- hypertension.
Dangerous complications are provoked by representatives of tapeworms - echinococcus. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart but also in the lungs.
Hair loss
Impaired absorption of substances in the intestine leads to many vitamin deficiencies and metabolic diseases. Therefore, the most common companions of parasitic diseases are:
- dull hair;
- excessively oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies lead to recurrence of oily seborrhea, which in most cases leads to irreversible hair loss.
Change your taste preferences
Disorders of taste perception (dysgeusia) when the body is affected by parasites are associated with changes in the protein content of the blood, hypovitaminosis.
What are the symptoms 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 diseases, vitamin deficiencies and other beneficial components cause a decrease in the body's energy reserves and disorders in the liver. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain:
- rapid fatigue;
- constant sleep;
- unconsciousness;
- lethargy.
The feeling of fatigue does not pass even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is a lack of vitamins in the body. Occurs when parasites are localized in the small intestine. The symptoms depend on which vitamin deficiency. More often patients complain:
- dizziness;
- decreased visual acuity;
- frequent nausea;
- headache;
- skin deterioration.
Long-term vitamin deficiency is dangerous due to dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia - a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in blood cells. When the body is damaged by parasites, there is a deficiency of vitamins involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes:
- folic acid;
- cyanocobalamin;
- Vitamin C.
Helminthic anemia manifests itself with shortness of breath, headache, loss of appetite, tinnitus.
Nervousness, sleep disorders
In humans, infection with parasites manifests itself in intoxication, which adversely affects the functioning of the nervous system. Then there are complaints about the following:
- sudden change in mood;
- hirs;
- depressed condition;
- sleep disorders.
Emotional lability against the background of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of parasitic worms harming the body.
Deterioration of memory and attention
Cognitive disorders - a decrease in intellectual abilities, memory and attention - occur against the background of chronic poisoning of the body with the products of vital activity of parasites. Helminthiasis is a disorder of many organs that causes damage to the nervous system and brain tissue. However, in 94% of cases, cognitive disorders return.
Cough
Dry cough without the accompanying symptoms of ENT disease is one of the symptoms of a parasitic infection. An unproductive cough in 8 out of 10 cases:
- man built round;
- pulmonary fluke.
During the migration phase, the larvae of the worms penetrate the lungs. During coughing, roundworms enter the oral cavity, are then swallowed and accumulate in the intestines.
Other symptoms
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;
- restless sleep;
- chest pain;
- increased gas formation;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain on the right side.
It can damage the brain, neuroses, mental illness.
Symptoms of infection with other types of parasites
The clinical picture depends on the causative agent of the parasitic disease.
| Form of the disease | Symptoms |
| giardiasis | nausea, itching, itching, flatulence, fever |
| pediculosis | itching of the scalp, burning from lice bites, red spots and nodules on the scalp, insomnia, sores on the hair |
| mycosis | skin peeling, nail damage, sour smell, thickening of the epidermis, cracks |
| amiobiasis | abdominal pain, mouth, bloody stools, anorexia. |
There are many signs of invasive lesions in the body. It is recommended to have a blood test for parasites at least once a year to rule out complications.
Why are untreated parasitic infections dangerous?
Parasitic infections have a systemic effect on the body, disrupting the functions of all organs. Delayed treatment:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- prolapse of the rectum;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleurisy;
- gastric ulcer;
- meningoencephalitis;
- heart problem;
- purulent peritonitis.
In the presence of chronic diseases, parasites complicate the course. Ignoring invasive diseases can lead to disability and even death.
Diagnosis and treatment
Laboratory tests are used to identify parasites:
- itching for enterobiasis;
- coprogram;
- fecal analysis for egg leaf;
- enzyme immunoassay for antibodies against parasites.
Instrumental examination is recommended for intestinal invasions - ultrasound examination of the peritoneal organs, colonoscopy and liver scintigraphy.
The effectiveness of anthelmintic therapy is determined based on the results of re-diagnosis performed 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the results of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- nematodic;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad-spectrum anthelmintics;
- mushrooms;
- against lice;
- remedies for itching ticks.
Parasitic cysts (eg, echinococcal cysts) are removed surgically.
Clinical manifestations and treatment of parasitic diseases depend on the type of pathogen. Parasites enter the body through natural openings - the mouth, skin pores, urinary tract, etc. Enters. Timely diagnosis and therapy of invasive pathologies prevent complications - meningitis, peptic ulcer, myocarditis.