In modern conditions, more than 300 parasitic infections are known. Microorganisms that excite them and helminths penetrate the human body to use its resources, as well as scabies and lice that live on the skin and hair.
Sometimes parasitic diseases are almost asymptomatic. However, many infections can have serious consequences: parasites disrupt metabolism, poison the body and destroy tissues and organs. Some parasites pose a deadly threat. For example, malaria, an infection transmitted by malarial mosquitoes, kills more than 600, 000 people each year.
In our country, 1 to 2 million cases of parasitic diseases are registered every year, but according to doctors, in reality, the number of people infected with these infections is many times higher.
According to the World Health Organization, 4. 5 billion people suffer from parasitic infections - that's more than half of the entire world population. The main contributor to this sad statistic comes from countries with a hot climate, as well as regions with low levels of hygiene and a shortage of drinking water. Residents of these places face dangerous diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis. A disease caused by parasitic worms. Symptoms occur in the tropics and subtropics. In case of complications, they affect the liver, kidneys, bladder fibrosis and infertility. Filariasis. An infection caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of tropical insects. It leads to destruction of the lymphatic system. In our country, as in countries with a temperate climate, the problem of parasitic infections is not so acute: here the most common are 18-20 parasitoses, which are easily treated and have a favorable prognosis.
Types of parasitic diseases
Diseases caused by protozoan microorganisms are divided into three main categories: infections caused by amoeba, trichomonas and leishmania.
Also, depending on the stage of the disease, acute and chronic parasitic infections are distinguished, as well as by localization - intestinal and extraintestinal, when the parasites penetrate and multiply in various tissues and organs: lungs, muscles, liver, kidneys, but notin the intestines.
Let's look at the diseases that are most common in our country.
Diseases caused by protozoan microorganisms
giardiasis
The body becomes infected with intestinal lamblia (Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia), which are transmitted by contact with contaminated fruits and vegetables, water or everyday objects. They adhere to the walls of the small intestine, feeding on leftover food. Symptoms of giardiasis include abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, nausea, vomiting, general weakness and insomnia.
Amebiasis (amoebic dysentery)
The most common cause of this disease is the dysenteric amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Infection occurs through the fecal-oral route. Microorganisms can survive for a long time on various surfaces, in water, on vegetables, fruits and meat. Amebiasis usually manifests as severe diarrhea (often mixed with blood and mucus), nausea and low-grade fever. If the microorganisms enter the blood and spread to the liver, lungs and brain, this can lead to the formation of a liver abscess (the formation of a cavity filled with pus), respiratory failure and symptoms of encephalitis.
Diseases caused by helminths
enterobiosis
The most common disease is ascariasis - it accounts for up to 70% of all cases of parasitic infections. Almost every resident of our country has faced this at least once in his life. Ascariasis is caused by roundworms - roundworms. Askaris eggs can enter the body through dirty hands, they remain for a long time on food and various objects with which the infected person came into contact. These parasites cause nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances and a person often experiences itching in the anus.
ascariasis
Pinworm infection is caused by roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides). Their larvae enter the body through vegetables and fruits, as well as through interaction with contaminated soil. A person infected with ascoriasis loses his appetite, his stomach hurts, nausea appears. With a large number of these parasites, problems with the patency of the intestines or bile ducts can occur, disrupting the process of digestion and the outflow of bile.
An adult roundworm can reach a length of 25-30 cm
Toxocarosis
The causative agent of the disease is the roundworm Toxocara canis, which is transmitted to humans through the fecal-oral route. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic, since Toxocara canis larvae do not develop into adults in the human body. However, passing through organs and tissues, they can disrupt their normal functioning. As a result, a person may experience unreasonable coughing and difficulty breathing if the respiratory system is damaged, neurological disorders if the brain is damaged, allergic reactions and anemia. In extreme cases, the infection can lead to vision impairment or complete vision loss.
Echinococcosis
Echinococcosis is caused by the parasitic worm Echinococcus, which lives in the body of some animals and is transmitted from them to humans. In the human body, the larvae of the worms form cysts in the liver, kidneys, lungs and even in the brain. This can lead to severe complications - anaphylactic shock, increased intracranial pressure, development of abscesses, pathological changes in organs and tissues - and lead to premature death.
opisthorchosis
If you eat poorly fried or lightly salted fish from the carp family, you can get opisthorchosis. These fish are often infected with larvae of Opisthorchis flatworms, which damage the bile ducts in the liver, pancreas and gall bladder. Symptoms of the disease include excessive sweating, allergic rashes, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Fish delicacies can become sources of parasites
Diseases caused by arthropods
scabies
One of the most common skin diseases is head lice, caused by microscopic mites Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. These mites are transmitted through contact with an infected person, burrow into the skin, migrate and lay eggs, resulting in itching and rashes. Pediculosis can lead to serious complications associated with the occurrence of secondary infection.
scabies
A bad torture of the skin and hair, an infection that often arises from head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). This parasite attacks the host by sucking blood. Lice saliva entering the bite wound causes severe itching. Pediculosis leads to the appearance of eczema and conjunctivitis: by scratching the bite sites (yes, they can also be in the area of the eyebrows, the eyelash line), a person can transfer pathogenic bacteria to the resulting wounds, which lead to infectious complications. Lice are also carriers of an extremely dangerous infection - typhus.
Ordinary hygiene is not an infallible guarantee against lice infestation: they successfully live in both healthy and dirty hair.
Signs of parasite infestation
Most often, parasitic infections, which are widespread in our country, most often manifest themselves with minimal symptoms or similar signs as in intestinal infections and poisoning. A person infected with parasites has loss of appetite, abdominal pain, periodic bouts of nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, general deterioration of health and weakness. It is also possible to increase the temperature, the appearance of a rash and other allergic reactions, iron deficiency anemia and mild disorders of the nervous system (increased excitability, sleep problems).
Parasitic diseases are often confused with poisoning, intestinal infections and acute respiratory viral infections.
Often the signs increase or decrease, making diagnosis difficult. In most cases, parasitic infections are discovered accidentally during preventive examinations or during the diagnosis of other diseases.
Complications caused by parasites
Usually common parasitic infections in our country rarely lead to serious complications. However, with a significant number of parasites in the body, over time, a person's health can seriously deteriorate.
The most common complications of parasitic infections:
- obstruction of the intestines and bile ducts,
- abscesses of internal organs,
- sepsis,
- peritonitis,
- inflammation of the intestine,
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract,
- anaphylactic shock.
Parasitic diseases in children
70–90% of cases of parasitic infections affect children and adolescents. This is because children tend to be less hygienic and more active in exploring the world around them. Children are often diagnosed with polyinvasion when the child is infected with several types of parasites, for example, enterobiosis in combination with ascariasis or giardiasis. If a child is infected with one type of worm or protozoa, his or her immunity is weakened, making him or her more vulnerable to other types of parasites and infections.
Parasitic infections cause serious damage to the child's body: its protective functions are disturbed, the child feels bad, his mood often changes, his academic performance decreases. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly test for parasitosis to prevent the most common infections.
Which specialist treats parasitic diseases?
Signs of parasitic infections can be confused with symptoms of a cold, allergy or intestinal infection. If you suspect the presence of parasites, it is important to contact your general practitioner, who can assess your symptoms, order the necessary tests and, if necessary, refer you to a parasitologist or infectious disease specialist.
It is especially important that children undergo regular examinations for parasitic diseases to avoid possible complications.
If the parasites have been present in the body for a long time and have seriously affected health, consultation with specialists in other fields of medicine may be necessary. For example, with echinococcosis, it is often necessary to consult a surgeon for surgical removal of cysts formed by helminths.
Conducting laboratory tests for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases
Most parasitic infections can be successfully detected by testing. By examining the composition of the blood, the presence of antibodies that the body produces in response to the invasion of foreign parasites can be determined. Examining feces and stains helps detect parasite eggs and larvae.
However, it should be borne in mind that parasites have their own development cycle (from egg to adult) and in the early stages of infection, tests may not detect the presence of parasites. To ensure reliable results, some tests are recommended to be performed twice with an interval of 7-10 days.
Methods of treatment of parasitic diseases
When the diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor, he prescribes antiparasitic drugs, which are usually taken for several days to several weeks. Symptomatic treatment can also be prescribed - antipyretics for temperature, drugs for diarrhea and absorbents for gastrointestinal disorders, immunomodulators to maintain immunity.
After completing the course of treatment, it is recommended to take tests again to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and full recovery.
Measures to prevent parasitic diseases
The main reason for the penetration of parasites into the human body is dirty hands, contaminated water and food. To avoid the development of infections, it is important to adhere to the rules of hygiene: regularly wash your hands, carry out wet cleaning in the house, carefully handle fruits and vegetables and wear protective gloves when working in the garden. Meat and fish should be boiled, fried or baked until done. Undercooked meals, uncooked smoked or lightly salted delicacies can become a source of parasites.
To prevent parasitic infections, it is important to adhere to good hygiene
Everyone, especially children and adolescents, should be screened regularly for the most common parasitic diseases to help detect possible disease early.
Before traveling to tropical countries, you should consult a doctor and familiarize yourself with the measures to prevent exotic parasitic infections, which are rarely found in our country. Treatment of such infections is usually more difficult, complications develop more often, and diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of experience among doctors.
Home remedies to get rid of parasites
Parasites, these uninvited guests in our body, can cause many unpleasant diseases. They can cause allergic reactions, disrupt digestion and even affect your mental state. Fortunately, there are effective ways to control pests right in your home.
One of the most popular methods of eliminating parasites is the use of natural products such as garlic, ginger and nuts. Garlic, due to its anti-parasitic properties, can help fight parasites and boost the immune system. |
In addition, you can resort to the use of herbal decoctions and infusions. Plants such as tansy, yarrow and cloves are known for their anti-parasitic properties and can help cleanse the body of parasites. |
Do not forget about proper hygiene. Washing hands regularly before eating, peeling vegetables and fruits before eating, and handling meat before cooking are basic precautions to avoid contracting parasites. |
Parasites as a cause of allergic reactions
When exposed to parasites, the human body can begin to develop allergic reactions to these pathogens.
Protection against parasites during travel is an important aspect of health, as the possibility of infection can lead not only to the deterioration of general health, but also to the development of allergic reactions.
Protection against parasites when traveling
When we travel, especially in warm countries, it is important to remember the possible danger that parasites can pose. The presence of parasites can negatively affect our health and cause various problems. That is why it is necessary to take measures to protect against them.
There are many ways to protect yourself from parasites while traveling. One of the main ones is to monitor the quality of drinking water and food, since parasitic infections are most often transmitted through them. It is also worth considering the location of the hotel and taking measures to prevent insects and ticks.
When traveling to exotic countries, you should always consult a doctor and take malaria prophylaxis, as mosquitoes can carry this dangerous disease. The use of insect repellants and disinfection of personal hygiene items is also recommended.
Harm of parasites for women's health
Parasites can seriously harm women's health, causing various problems and complications.
Fighting parasites in women requires special attention and an integrated approach to avoid serious health consequences.
Question and answer:
What parasitic infections can occur in humans?
To date, more than 300 parasitic infections are known, which are caused by single-celled organisms, helminths, arthropods and other parasites.
How do parasites enter the human body?
Parasites can enter the human body through contaminated drinking water, food, insect bites, contact with infected animals or other people.
What symptoms can occur with a parasitic infection?
Symptoms of parasitic infections may include gastrointestinal distress, weakness, fatigue, weight changes, allergic reactions, itching and skin irritation.
What precautions can you take to avoid parasitic infections?
To prevent parasitic infections, it is necessary to maintain hand hygiene, avoid the consumption of raw or insufficiently processed food, carefully monitor the cleanliness of water and take measures to protect against insects.
How are parasitic infections treated?
Treatment of parasitic infections depends on the type of parasite and may include taking anti-parasitic drugs, antibiotics, symptomatic therapy and other methods prescribed by a doctor.
What types of parasitic infections can penetrate the human body?
Today, more than 300 types of parasitic infections are known, caused by unicellular organisms, helminths, arthropods and other parasites.
In what organs and tissues of the human body can parasites live?
Parasites can live in the intestines, liver, lungs, blood and other organs and tissues of the human body, using it as a source of food and resources for their survival.