Parasitism as a form of existence occurs on Earth for a very long time, beginning with ancient protozoa and unicellular microorganisms.Humanity has been faced with various parasites since the very beginning of its existence, but in the millennium of cohabitation the parasites have not become "more intelligent" and more perfect for their ancestors.Parasites can cause irreparable health damage to the development of severe damage or death.But when mentioning the word "parasite", everyone mainly thinks of worms, although this term is much wider.We will discuss the parasites more detail.
Parasites: Who are they?
Parasites are unicellular or multicellular organisms that live on the body of their owner or inside (in the cavities of the body or cells).They are usually much smaller than predatory fauna representatives, have the ability to multiply quickly and survive in difficult conditions.They eat at the expense of their owner while causing him damage.In this way, they are different from the symbionttes - the organisms living inside their owner and take advantage of it.
Many of the parasites, in addition to growing up themselves, are also able to transmit dangerous diseases.Examples are mosquitoes that wear malaria and ticks that carry encephalitis and borreliosis.
The dimensions of the parasites differ significantly - from the microscopic, which can only be seen in a microscope, to the worms, reaching a length of up to 10 m or more.Parasites use different resources of the owner - these are carbohydrates or proteins, fats, as well as minerals or vitamins for growing and development.In the human body, the parasite can pass one or all stages of the life cycle - intermediate or final.The manifestations of the infected will depend on this.
Most of the parasites are microscopic sizes, they are difficult to detect.But some types of parasitic worms can form cysts with the size of the child's head or reach a length of several meters.
Varieties of parasitism
Several types of parasitism are distinguished.They depend on the habitat of the parasite in the human body:
Endoparasites.They live inside the owners' body, typical representatives are helminths (or worms).They can live in the intestines, the cavities of the body.Intracellular or intracellular parasites affect certain body tissues respectively.These include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa.
Special conditions and sometimes carriers are required to spread endoparasites.Organisms that bring them to their constant habitats.For example, for malaria the carrier will be a mosquito.
Exposure.These organisms live on the surface of the owner's body, eat its biological carriers for bites.Typical representatives are lice, fleas, mosquitoes, ticks.
Epiparasites.They parasitize on other parasites, forming superparasitism.So, fleas feeding on the blood of animals or humans have protozoa in the intestines - parasites already living in the body of the insects themselves.
Types of human parasites
Although viruses, fungi and bacteria also harm a person in his body, they are considered separately as pathogens of infectious diseases.People's true parasites include:
Protozoa.These are unicellular organisms that can only share owners inside the body.Examples are dysentery amoeba, malaria plasmodium or chlamydia.
Helmints.These are parasitic worms of different types - flat, ribbons, round and others.
Parasit insects.This group includes lice, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes.
How is a parasitic infection manifested?
One of the unpleasant facts is that not all parasitic infections have typical symptoms.So, if insect bites and lice are relatively simple, then it is not always possible to determine the presence of worms or protozoa without special analyzes.Sometimes manifestations resemble bronchitis or pneumonia, hormonal imbalances, allergies or food poisoning.Some parasites, upholstered in the intestine or abdominal cavity, provoke abdominal pain, hypovitaminosis or cholecystitis.Among the most typical symptoms, experts distinguish:
- Skin rashes, spots, bubbles, itching or bruising.
- Increasing appetite or suppression, weight loss.
- Diarrhea and vomiting, various types of abdominal pain.
- Anemia (decrease in hemoglobin level or red blood cells).
- Sleep disorders - insomnia or severe drowsiness.
- Soreness of the joints, muscles, skin.
- Allergic reactions that did not exist before.
- General malaise, weakness, irritability.
- Periodic temperatures to a large number or permanent subfebrile fever.
However, these same manifestations are typical of many other, non -parasitic diseases, therefore the diagnosis can confirm the detection of the parasite itself, its eggs or antibodies to it in the blood.
Important!Often there are no symptoms for a long time, they can occur after stress or infection, with the spread of parasites to the "critical mass".In the meantime, many parasitic diseases are infectious and a person, without suspecting, infect others.This is especially likely if you ignore the elementary rules of hygiene.
How are parasites spread?
Depending on the type of parasite, the paths of its distribution may vary.The transmission of the simplest that lives in the intestines of a person, to another person, as a rule, occurs a faecal-oral route (for example, through infected food or water), with close contacts from people to person.The simplest that lives in the blood or tissues of people are transmitted to other people through insects (for example, by mosquito or sand fly).
Many halmins in adulthood cannot be multiplied in humans.People can be the final masters - adults live in them or intermediates - the larvae live in them.Eggs or larvae are transmitted by dirty hands, contaminated food or water, dust particles raised in the air.In addition, parasites can fall with infected fish, meat and bird where the larvae spread.
Eti -Parasites - lice and scabies, are transmitted through contact through communication and close contacts with infected children or adults.Members are important not only as provocateurs of diseases in themselves, but also even more important as carriers of serious illnesses - malaria, rash, encephalitis transmitted by ticks, encephalitis and more.
Parasitic infections cause a huge number of diseases in both the tropics and subtropics, as well as in more measured climate.Of all parasitic diseases, malaria is the cause of most deaths in the world.About 660,000 people die annually from malaria, most of whom are young children.
How to identify parasites?
Of course, if these are shameful or head lice, scabies or pinari that parents find in the baby's pot - the diagnosis is already clear, you just have to be treated.But most parasites must first be identified, determine exactly who it is and only then to choose a treatment that will be effective and safe.
Today, various types of laboratory tests are available to diagnose parasitic diseases.The type of study that will be prescribed by your doctor depends on your symptoms and complaints, any other diseases that you can have and the history of your travels abroad or across the country.The diagnosis can be complicated so that the doctor can prescribe not only tests but also additional procedures.A list of some commonly used tests that a doctor may be prescribed when diagnosing parasites:
Study of stools to detect parasites or their eggs.The analysis is used to identify parasites that cause diarrhea, liquid or watery stools, stomach cramps, flatulence and other diseases of the abdominal cavity.It is recommended to investigate three or more stool samples collected on some days.
Blood tests for antibodies to parasites, urine tests, blood cultures and some other tests depending on the alleged diagnosis.Some, but not all, parasitic infections can be found when analyzing your blood.In this case, however, blood will be examined for a specific parasitic infection;There is no blood test to determine all parasitic infections.The doctor may prescribe two main types of blood tests:
Serology.This test is used to search for antibodies or antigens of parasites that are produced when the body is infected with a parasite and the immune system tries to fight the invaders.
Blood.This test is used to identify parasites found in the blood.By looking at the blood under a microscope, it is possible to diagnose parasitic diseases such as freeliatosis, malaria or babusiosis.This test is performed by placing drops in the blood on the subject glass of a microscope.The glass of the site is then painted and examined under a microscope.
In addition to the tests, the doctor may prescribe other studies.Endoscopy is used to detect parasites that cause diarrhea, liquid or watery stools, abdominal cramps, meteors and other symptoms of the abdominal cavity.It is used when the stool test does not reveal the cause of your diarrhea.During the procedure in the mouth (endoscopy) or rectum (colonoscopy), a tube with a camera and backlight is introduced so that the doctor can examine the intestine.This test is looking for parasites or other abnormalities that can cause unpleasant symptoms.
X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer axial tomography (KAT).These tests are used to search for some parasitic diseases that can cause organs.
How to treat?
When the correct diagnosis is known, it is now easier to choose treatment.Almost all parasitic diseases have been cured today.However, the treatment of helminthiasis is multi -stage and will take time from the patient.
In the first stage, the body should be prepared and cleaned of accumulated toxins.The patient is prescribed sorbents.Cleaning the body of toxins lasts for at least five days.
In the second stage of the patient, anthelmintic agents are prescribed.It is better if the medicine is selected individually for a certain type of parasite.Treatment is performed in two courses.The first course will kill adults from helminths in the human body.After 10-14 days, adult worms will be replaced by new ones that will hatch from layered eggs.The second course will kill new individuals.
In the third stage, the digestive tract, liver and immune system are restored.The patient is prescribed a course of sorbents and after taking medicines that help in the digestive tract.Polyvitamins are added at the same time.
Sometimes the disease can be launched or has a special form that requires surgery.For example, in the presence of echinococcal cysts in the liver, kidneys or lungs, only their removal will help.
The whole course of treatment, medicines and other procedures is chosen by the doctor based on the diagnosis, age and weight of the patient.