Human Parasites: Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment

Parasites are organisms that exist at the expense of their host. Their life activities in the human body can be asymptomatic. Therefore, helminth infection is one of the most rarely diagnosed pathologies.Parasitic diseases can have serious consequences. They are responsible for 16 million deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. To detect parasites promptly and prevent complications, you should know the possible routes and symptoms of infection.

How dangerous are parasites?

Parasites can live both on and inside the body. Some breeds are not dangerous, while others pose a serious threat to life. The waste products of worms have toxic effects. When accumulated in large amounts, the body becomes toxic.Symptoms of parasitic poisoning:

• Vomit;
• weakness;
• Loss of appetite;
• high body temperature;
• fever;
• twitch.

Treatment must be started on time because neglect can be fatal.The consequences of parasitic infection vary depending on the location of the parasite. Worms can cause allergic reactions, blindness, paralysis, damage the liver, lungs, brain, and affect the function of other organs. They lower immunity and make a person more susceptible to infectious diseases.The most dangerous parasites:

• Cerebral amoeba (tapeworm). It lives as a parasite in the brain and can live up to 20 years. As the tapeworm grows, it often kills its owner. Death occurs in 97% of cases. The worm can cause swelling of the brain, and infection may result from consuming contaminated meat or water.
• roundworms. Ring worms, commonly found in children. Adults can reach 30 cm in length. General symptoms of poisoning occur, and you can become infected through dirty hands.
• Onchocerciasis. A worm that causes river blindness (onchocerciasis).
• Trypanosoma. Causes chronic heart and intestinal disease.
• australian tick. Causes severe allergic reactions, leading to respiratory failure.

General symptoms

The most common symptoms of parasites are hives, itchy skin, rashes, fever and allergic symptoms such as bronchial asthma attacks.General symptoms of internal parasitic diseases:

• feel sick and vomit;
• stomach ache;
• Intestinal dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
• Itching of the anus;
• Teeth grinding during sleep;
• Loss of appetite;
• Headache;
• weakness, fatigue;
• Vitamin deficiency;
• decrease in immunity;
• anemia;
• cough;
• joint or muscle pain;
• Drastic weight loss or gain.

Symptoms may not appear immediately. For example, clinical signs of pinworm infection appear after 2-3 days and for roundworm infection after 3 months.

Types of parasites

Parasites can live anywhere in the body. They are usually found in the intestines and liver, but can also colonize the lungs, muscle tissue, blood, blood vessels, and brain. If the larvae enters the bloodstream, it can attach to any internal organ and disrupt its function. What parasites live in the human body? There are over 250 species that depend on humans for their survival. They range in size from microscopic to meters long and in varying numbers.The main types of human parasites can be divided into:

• ectoparasites;
• worm;
• Protozoa (protozoa).

ectoparasites

This species lives on the skin. Representatives of external parasites:

• Head, pubic and body lice - pediculosis;
• Bedbugs - are carriers of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever;
• Demodicosis - Demodicosis;
• Scabies mites - scabies;
• cochlioma—cochliomyasis.

Parasitic infections occur through contact and household contact. They are spread through skin-to-skin contact, personal hygiene products and clothing. Nematodesis occurs when infected by flies, which are common in North and Central America.protozoan parasitesThese include the following parasites:

• In the intestine - amoeba, lamblia, leishmania, blastocystis, balanditia;
• In the blood - Trypanosomatids, Babesia;
• In the genitourinary system - Trichomonas;
• Visceral (heart, lungs, liver, brain) - Toxoplasma gondii, trypanosomatids, Acanthamoeba.

Infection occurs through food, water, sexual contact (in the case of Trichomonas).

worm

In the course of their life activities, these worms destroy the functions of internal organs and metabolism. Worms may be only a few centimeters in length or may be as long as 7-10 m.During the initial infection, they colonize the intestines, and during recurring infections, they affect other organs and muscles. The most common worms are those that live in the rectum, liver, bile ducts, and lungs.The most common diseases caused by helminth parasites:

• Ascariasis. The larvae pass through the digestive tract and settle in the intestines. Adults can reach 25-30 cm.
• Metatesticular disease. Adult worms infect bile ducts and enter the body along with infected fish.
• Taeniasis. Infections caused by tapeworms occur in humans through meat and fish, affecting the intestines.
• Schistosomiasis. Caused by flukes or flatworms. Infection occurs when water contaminated by freshwater snails comes into contact with the skin.

The species includes a large number of subspecies. In total, more than 300 worm species have been registered.They can be divided into 3 groups:

• Nematodes – roundworms;
• Flukes - Flukes;
• Tapeworms are tapeworms.

Nematodes

The most prominent representatives of roundworms:

• pinworm;
• roundworms;
• Whipworm.

The main ways of contracting worms are from eating unclean food or contaminated water, unwashed hands and insect bites. Nematodes colonize the gastrointestinal tract and, less frequently, the liver, lungs, and heart. The main symptoms of parasites in the human intestines:

• feel sick and vomit;
• Itching of the anus;
• rash;
• indigestion;
• Chronic fatigue.

When the population is large, the parasites naturally leave the body. In this case, nematodes can be found in the stool.

fluke

leading to the emergence of dangerous infectious diseases. These parasites are divided into the following categories based on their habitat:

• Schistosoma - blood fluke;
• Liver Fluke – Liver Fluke;
• intestinal flukes;
• Pancreatic parasites;
• Paragonimiasis.

Symptoms of infection depend on which organ is affected. This may be weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal bowel movements, pale skin, irritability, or apathy.The main source of infection is the release of excreta from sick animals or humans into water and soil.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms live in the intestines. They enter the body when meat and fish are eaten without adequate heat treatment. The biggest danger comes from the pork tapeworm, which can migrate into the blood, muscle tissue and brain.Tapeworms can live inside the body for long periods of time without obvious signs, growing to impressive sizes. The length of adult tapeworms can reach 10m. Common diseases caused by tapeworms include yolk disease and hydatid disease.Common representatives of tapeworms:

• tapeworm;
• cattle and pork tapeworms;
• sheep brain;
• Echinococcus tapeworm.

Which doctor should I contact if I suspect parasites?

Parasitic diseases are treated by parasitologists. They should be contacted if infection is suspected. Dermatologists can also test the skin for parasites.

diagnosis

Parasites are diagnosed through stool laboratory testing. To identify a worm, you need to perform three tests.Identify pinworm parasites by scraping with tape. Organs not involved in digestion can be checked for parasites through a blood test or biopsy.

treat

You can rid your body of parasites with the help of medicines and folk remedies. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of infection and intoxication in the body.

Parasite drug treatment

Treatment of helminthiasis involves the use of anthelmintics. They are toxic and therefore should not be used without diagnosis.Symptoms of helminthiasis can be relieved with symptomatic treatment. Use vitamin preparations, choleretics, hepatoprotectants, laxatives, anti-allergic drugs, antibiotics and probiotics.For severe allergic reactions, corticosteroids may be used.

Traditional treatments for parasites

You can use the following traditional medicines to remove parasites from the human body:

• cranberry juice enema. It helps remove worms and protozoa. 2 tbsp for 2 liters of water. lake cranberry juice and 1 tbsp. Lake salt. Perform this procedure 2 times a day.
• garlic enema. You can get rid of intestinal parasites by boiling 6 cloves of garlic in 1 liter of milk, cooling and giving an enema.
• pumpkin seeds. Peeled seeds (300 grams) must be mashed, add a small amount of water, and add 100 grams of honey. Take once with a laxative.
• Onion dip. Cut the green onion into cubes, pour boiling water over it and leave it for 12 hours. Drink 100 grams 3-4 times daily.

To clear your gastrointestinal tract of parasites, you need to eat spicy food. For example, you can easily get rid of pinworms by consuming garlic, onions, spicy spices, and herbs.

complication

Parasites have a negative impact on the human body. If helminthiasis is not treated, serious complications can occur:

• Frequent acute respiratory viral infections, adenoid and tonsil enlargement;
• appendicitis;
• Enteritis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis;
• Cirrhosis;
• liver cancer;
• anemia;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• pancreatitis;
• bronchitis;
• neoplastic diseases;
• Brain edema;
• Purulent septic lesions.

The important activity of the parasite in the stomach leads to peritonitis, and in the lungs to pneumonia. Roundworms can block the airways and bile ducts, causing suffocation or intestinal obstruction.

prevention

Preventive measures against parasitic infections:

• Wash your hands before eating and after going out;
• Consume only washed vegetables and fruits and boiled water;
• Store food in compliance with hygienic standards and avoid contact with flies;
• Meat and fish can only be eaten after heat treatment;
• Don’t swim in polluted waters;
• Not using other people’s personal hygiene products;
• Deworm pets.

Although worms pose a threat to human health and life, removal of parasites from the body can only be done after detection and under the supervision of a doctor. Prompt diagnosis of helminthiasis will help avoid serious complications. It's important to take precautions, especially with children.

FAQ

What symptoms may indicate the presence of parasites in a person's body?

Some common symptoms of parasitic infections may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, upset stomach, allergic reactions, and changes in appetite and sleep.

What signs may indicate the presence of parasites in a person's body?

Signs of internal parasites may include the presence of parasites in the stool, blood tests, and symptoms of specific parasitic infections such as malaria, trichinellosis, and others.

How are parasites in the human body treated?

Treatment of internal parasites in humans may include taking antiparasitic medications under medical supervision, as well as hygiene and preventive measures to prevent reinfection.

Useful tips

Tip #1

Watch for symptoms such as persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight changes, allergic reactions - these may be signs that parasites are present in the body.

Tip #2

Get a special test with your doctor to identify parasites. This may include stool, blood, urine tests, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods.

Tip #3

When treating parasites, talk to your doctor for appropriate medications and dietary and lifestyle advice.