Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They differ in slow flow and 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. For the diagnosis of invasive diseases, ultrasound examination of the peritoneal organs, analysis of feces for dysbiosis and biochemical blood test are performed.
What parasites can live in humans
The causes of parasitic pathologies are worms, arthropods and single-celled organisms - viruses, fungi, protozoa. In 69% of cases, helminthic invasions are diagnosed, which are provoked by such helminths:
- trematodes (flukes) - schistosomes, feline and liver flukes;
- scrapers (acanthocephalus) - a scraper in the shape of a ball, a giant comb;
- nematodes (earthworms) - earthworms, earthworms, earthworms, whips;
- cestodes (tape) - broad tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus.
Endoparasites predominate among helminthic invasions that settle in the small or large intestine. Common pathogenic arthropods of parasitic diseases include:
- ticks;
- centipedes;
- reed;
- insects.
The group of temporary parasites includes arthropods and leeches that suck blood, and the group of permanent lice includes parasitic worms and humps. Very often invasive pathologies are caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa - amoebae, lamblia.
Parasites have a negative effect on the body, causing side systemic effects - intoxication with waste products, gastrointestinal dysfunction, allergies, anemia.
Common signs of helminths
Symptoms depend on the type, location and amount of parasites in the body. The basis of the clinical picture is the immune response to parasitic infection and damage to certain organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract are mainly caused by parasitic worms that are localized in the small intestine. Their waste products cause an allergic reaction in the body, narrowing the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about:
- indigestion;
- bloating;
- acid burping;
- poor appetite.
More than 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
Stomach pain
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, which causes spastic contraction of smooth muscles. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If fluke parasites act as provocateurs of invasive disease, abdominal discomfort occurs due to their introduction into the intestinal wall.
Anal itching
Occasional 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 often ascaris. The first lays eggs in the anus, which causes severe itching.
The lifespan of a pinworm is only 1, 5 months. Parasite eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Lack of hygiene leads to self-infection, an increase in the number of worms in the body.
Change in body weight
Weight gain or loss is a clear sign that there are parasites in the body. Oscillations in weight 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 localized 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 cause of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates bowel damage:
- human roundworm;
- wide ribbon;
- pinworms.
By penetrating the body, the parasites cause intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls leads to bleeding and mixing of blood with feces.
Skin changes
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:
- itchy skin;
- abscesses;
- red spots;
- yellowing;
- peeling;
- dry skin.
Yellow skin indicates stagnation of bile in the body, increased activity of liver enzymes.
Decreased immunity
Helminthiasis in adults is accompanied by dysbiosis. More than 75% of the immune tissue is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so the parasitic disease leads to secondary immunodeficiencies. The decrease in the body's resistance to infections is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long-term healing of cuts and scratches;
- regular exacerbations of chronic pathologies.
Parasites deplete the body's protective reserves, which reduces the production of antibodies to viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Allergy
Worms poison the body with the products of their vital activity. Intoxication leads to autoimmune disorders that are manifested by allergic effects:
- itchy skin;
- bronchospasm;
- rash on the body.
The most pronounced toxic-allergic reactions are caused by earthworms, trichinae 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 phase, helminth larvae are transmitted through the bloodstream. Many of them accumulate in the joint fluid and muscles, causing painful sensations.
Palpitations
Parasite toxins negatively affect the work of the cardiovascular system. Massive helminthic invasions cause:
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- hypertension.
Dangerous complications are caused by representatives of tapeworms - echinococci. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart but also in the lungs.
Hair loss
Impaired absorption of substances from the intestine leads to a lack of many vitamins and metabolic disorders. Therefore, frequent companions of parasitic diseases are:
- boring hair;
- excess oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Lack of vitamins and minerals leads to recurrence of oily seborrhea, which causes irreversible hair loss in many.
Changing taste preferences
Violation of taste perception (dysgeusia) when organisms are affected by parasites is a consequence of changes in the protein composition of the blood, hypovitaminosis.
What are the signs of dysgeusia:
- unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- craving for sweets;
- dullness of taste;
- tingling in the mouth.
Taste disorders are often associated with gastrointestinal diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and other useful components lead to a decrease in the body's energy reserve, liver disorders. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain of:
- rapid fatigue;
- constant drowsiness;
- absence;
- lethargy.
The feeling of tiredness does not disappear even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is the absence of vitamins in the body. It occurs when parasites are localized in the small intestine. Symptoms depend on which vitamin is missing. Patients more often complain of:
- dizziness;
- decreased visual acuity;
- frequent nausea;
- headache;
- skin deterioration.
Prolonged vitamin deficiencies are dangerous due to dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia - a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood cells. When parasites damage the body, there is a lack of vitamins 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
Infection with parasites in humans is manifested by intoxication, which negatively affects the work of the nervous system. After that, there are complaints about:
- a sharp change in mood;
- anger;
- depressed state;
- sleep disorder.
Emotional lability in the background of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of damage to the body by parasitic worms.
Deterioration of memory and attention
Cognitive impairment - a decrease in intellectual abilities, memory and attention - occurs against the background of chronic poisoning of the body by the products of the parasite's vital activity. Helminthiases cause disorders in the work of many organs, which causes suffering of the nervous system and brain tissue. But in 94% of cases, cognitive impairments are reversible.
Cough
Dry cough without accompanying symptoms of ENT disease is one of the signs of parasite infection. In 8 out of 10 cases, unproductive cough is caused by:
- human roundworm;
- pulmonary fluke.
During the migration phase, worm larvae penetrate the lungs. When coughing, roundworms 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;
- liver enlargement;
- breath;
- obstructive jaundice;
- yellow coating on the tongue;
- bronchospasm;
- isolation of worm fragments with feces;
- restless sleep;
- chest pain;
- increased gas production;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain in the right side.
With brain damage, neuroses and mental disorders are possible.
Symptoms of infection with other types of parasites
The clinical picture depends on the cause of the parasitic disease.
| A form of the disease | Symptoms |
| giardiasis | nausea, belching, itching, bloating, fever |
| pediculosis | itchy scalp, stinging from ear 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 |
| amoebiasis | abdominal pain, choking, bloody stools, lack of appetite. |
There are many signs of invasive body lesions. To rule out complications, it is recommended to do a blood test for parasites at least once a year.
Why are untreated parasitic infestations dangerous?
Parasitic infections act systemically on the body, disrupting the functions of all organs. Delayed treatment leads to:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- rectal prolapse;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleurisy;
- 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 for enterobiasis;
- coprogram;
- analysis of feces on the egg;
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for parasite antibodies.
In case of intestinal invasions, instrumental examination is recommended - ultrasound of peritoneal organs, colonoscopy and scintigraphy of the liver.
The effectiveness of anthelmintic therapy is determined based on the results of repeated diagnostics performed 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the results of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- antimatodic;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad-spectrum anthelmintics;
- antifungal;
- anti-lice;
- drugs against scabies mites.
Parasitic cysts (such as echinococcal cysts) are removed surgically.
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.