Parasitic diseases are a group of pathologies caused by microorganisms, arthropods and worms. They differ at a slow rate and impact vital systems. Digestive disorders, changes in body weight, chronic fatigue are the main signs of the presence of parasites in the human body. To diagnose invasive diseases, an ultrasound of Organs peritoneal organs, a stool analysis for dysbiosis and a biochemical blood test are done.
Which 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, helminth invasions are diagnosed, which are caused by such helminths:
- trematodes (worms) - schistosomes, feline and hepatic worms;
- scrapers (acanthocephalosis) - bead-shaped scrapers, giant comb;
- nematodes (roundworms) - hookworms, worms, roundworms, tricurids;
- cestodes (ribbon) - broad tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus.
Endoparasites predominate among helminthic invasions, which are installed in the small or large intestine. Common arthropod pathogens of parasitic diseases include:
- ticks;
- centipedes;
- cane;
- insects.
The group of temporary parasites includes blood-sucking arthropods and leeches, and the group of permanent parasites includes lice, parasitic worms and itchy mites. Often invasive pathologies are caused by opportunistic fungi, protozoa - amoebas, lamblia.
Parasites negatively affect the body, causing undesirable systemic effects - poisoning by 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 infection by a parasitic infection and damage to individual organs.
Digestive problems
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are mainly caused by parasitic worms, located in the small intestine. Its waste products cause an allergic reaction in the body, narrowing the bile ducts. As a result, there are complaints about:
- indigestion;
- swelling;
- sour belch;
- little appetite.
Over 80% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea and flatulence.
Stomachache
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 the smooth muscles. As a result, abdominal pain occurs.
If worms-parasites act as triggers for an invasive disease, abdominal discomfort occurs due to its introduction into the intestinal wall.
Anal itching
Periodic itching in the anal area and painful bowel movements are the first signs of parasites in the body. Symptoms are caused mainly by worms, less often by ascaris. The first lays eggs in the anus, which causes intense itching.
The useful life of the pinworms is only 1. 5 months. Parasite eggs have a protective shell, so they are not destroyed by external factors.
Failure to observe hygiene leads to autoinfection, 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 that the parasites are in the body. Weight fluctuations 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 located 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 causative agent of the invasive disease. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool indicates intestinal damage:
- human roundworm;
- wide ribbon;
- earthworms.
Penetrating the body, the parasites cause intestinal irritation. Inflammation of the walls causes hemorrhage and a mixture of blood and feces.
Changes in the skin
Allergic reactions are the most pronounced signs of parasites in the human body. According to statistics, massive invasions cause allergic-toxic changes in 92% of patients:
- itchy skin;
- abscesses;
- red spots;
- yellowing;
- flaking;
- dry skin.
Yellowing of the skin indicates stagnation of bile in the body, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes.
Decreased immunity
Helminthiasis in an adult is accompanied by dysbiosis. More than 75% of the immune tissue is located in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, the parasitic disease leads to secondary immunodeficiencies. A decrease in the body's resistance to infections is indicated by:
- frequent colds;
- long-term healing 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.
Allergy
Worms poison the body with the products of its vital activity. Intoxication leads to autoimmune disorders, which are manifested by allergic effects:
- itchy skin;
- bronchospasm;
- rash on the body.
The most pronounced toxic-allergic reactions cause roundworms, trichinella 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 stage, helminth larvae are transported through the bloodstream. Many of them install themselves in the joint fluid and in the muscles, causing painful sensations.
Palpitations
Parasitic toxins negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Massive helminthic invasions cause:
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- hypertension.
Dangerous complications are caused by representatives of tapeworms - echinococcus. They form echinococcal cysts not only in the heart, but also in the lungs.
Hair loss
Poor absorption of substances by the intestine leads to a lack of many vitamins and metabolic disorders. Therefore, frequent companions of parasitic diseases are:
- opaque hair;
- excess oily scalp;
- alopecia (hair loss).
Deficiency of vitamins and minerals leads to recurrences of oily seborrhea, which in many cases causes irreversible hair loss.
Changing taste preferences
The violation of the perception of taste (dysgeusia) when the body is affected by parasites is due to a change in the protein composition of the blood, hypovitaminosis.
What are the signs 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 disorders caused by parasitic worms.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Metabolic disorders, deficiency of vitamins and other useful components lead to a decrease in the body's energy reserve, disorders in the liver. Therefore, patients with invasive diseases complain of:
- rapid fatigue;
- constant drowsiness;
- distraction;
- lethargy.
The feeling of fatigue does not go away even after a long rest or sleep.
Avitaminosis
Avitaminosis is the absence of vitamins in the body. It occurs when the parasites are located in the small intestine. The symptoms depend on which vitamin is missing. More often, patients complain about:
- dizziness;
- decreased visual acuity;
- frequent nausea;
- headaches;
- deterioration of the skin.
Long-term vitamin deficiencies are dangerous due to the dysfunction of vital organs.
Anemia
Anemia or anemia - decreased hemoglobin concentration in blood cells. When the body is damaged by parasites, there is a deficiency of vitamins, which are 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 by parasites in humans is manifested by intoxication, which negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system. Subsequently, there are complaints about:
- a sudden change in mood;
- anger;
- depressive state;
- sleep disorders.
Emotional lability in the context of hypovitaminosis and anemia is a clear sign of damage to the body caused by parasitic worms.
Deterioration of memory and attention
Cognitive deficiencies - decreased intellectual capacities, memory and attention - arise in the context of chronic poisoning of the body with the products of the parasites' vital activity. Helminthiasis disturbs the functioning of many organs, which causes the nervous system and brain tissue to suffer. But in 94% of cases, cognitive disorders are reversible.
Cough
A dry cough without symptoms of ENT disease is one of the signs of infection by the parasite. In 8 out of 10 cases, an unproductive cough is caused by:
- human roundworm;
- pulmonary worm.
During the migration phase, the worms' 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;
- enlargement of the liver;
- bad breath;
- obstructive jaundice;
- yellow coating on the tongue;
- bronchospasm;
- isolation of fragments of worms with feces;
- restless sleep;
- chest pain;
- increased gas formation;
- vaginitis in women;
- pain in the right side.
With brain damage, neurosis, mental disorders are possible.
Symptoms of infection with other types of parasites
The clinical picture depends on the causative agent of the parasitic disease.
| Disease form | Symptoms |
| giardiasis | nausea, belching, itching, flatulence, fever |
| pediculosis | itchy scalp, burning lice bite, red spots and nodules on the head, insomnia, nits in the hair |
| ringworm | peeling skin, damaged nail, sour odor, thickening of the epidermis, cracking |
| amoebiasis | abdominal pain, nausea, bloody stools, poor appetite. |
There are many signs of invasive injuries to the body. To exclude complications, it is recommended to have a blood test for parasites at least once a year.
Why are untreated parasitic infestations dangerous?
Parasitic infections have a systemic effect on the body, which disrupts the functions of all organs. Late treatment leads to:
- bowel obstruction;
- pancreatitis;
- prolapse of the rectum;
- lymphadenitis;
- myocarditis;
- bronchopneumonia;
- cholecystitis;
- endometritis;
- pleurisy;
- stomach ulcer;
- meningoencephalitis;
- cardiac insufficiency;
- purulent peritonitis.
In the presence of chronic diseases, parasites complicate their course. Ignoring invasive diseases is dangerous with disabilities and even death.
Diagnosis and treatment
Laboratory tests are used to identify parasites:
- scraping for enterobiasis;
- coprogram;
- stool analysis for egg leaf;
- enzyme immunoassay for antibodies against parasites.
In case of intestinal invasions, instrumental examination - ultrasound of Organs peritoneal organs, colonoscopy and liver scintigraphy is recommended.
The effectiveness of anthelmintic therapy is determined based on the results of repeated diagnoses, which are performed 1 month after treatment.
Depending on the results of the diagnosis, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed:
- antinematodic;
- against trematodes;
- protivocestodozny;
- broad spectrum anthelmintics;
- antifungal;
- anti-lice;
- remedies for scabies mites.
Parasitic cysts (such as echinococcal cysts) are surgically removed.
Clinical manifestations and methods of treating 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 avoid complications - meningitis, peptic ulcer, myocarditis.