A variety of parasites can live in humans. It can be not only multicellulars and protozoa, but also viruses, bacteria, fungi. They parasitize to the detriment of the human body. Harmful microorganisms can live not only in the intestines, but also in muscles, blood, etc. With parasites, you need to start the fight as early as possible. Otherwise, complications cannot be avoided.
Varieties of parasites
There are many parasitic organisms that thrive in the human body. They all have characteristic traits.
Roundworms
Roundworms or nematodes have about 1000 subspecies in their group. The best known representatives are pinworms, Trichinella, toxocara, hookworms, nekator, as well as roundworms. They enter the body through the mouth or through the skin. The main representatives of roundworms are described in the table.
| Parasite | Description |
| pinworms | This is a roundworm that does not exceed 2-12mm in length. Females are generally larger. These representatives parasitize in the lower intestine and the large intestine. Adult females lay eggs in the perianal region. Most often, these representatives are found in children. Eggs fall on the patient's hands, scratching the anus, which itches in the presence of such parasites. One of the first symptoms is itching. |
| Trichinella | Trichinella is a nematode. Parasites enter the body with poorly processed meat. Once they have entered the body, its complete intoxication begins. In an advanced case, the parasites can be fatal in humans. |
| Toxocars | This parasite often lives in animals, including cattle. Young children are very susceptible to toxocariasis. The parasite multiplies extremely quickly, so treatment should be started immediately. |
| Hookworms | It is believed that 4 people on the planet are carriers of this parasite. An adult can live in the host's body for 8 years. With proper and prompt treatment, 95% of 100 patients can be cured of hookworm. The parasite enters the body along with the contaminated soil. |
| Nekator | These representatives are small. Their length reaches 2 cm, and the female pest lays up to 10, 000 eggs per day. The larvae of parasites enter the external environment with the feces. |
| Ascaris | Roundworms can reach 35 cm in length. First, the parasite grows in the small intestine and then spreads throughout the body. In order for individuals to become sexually mature, it is necessary to reenter the body. |
After the penetration of roundworms into the human body, the process of development of pathological symptoms begins. The intestinal walls become inflamed, and due to this, the functioning of the digestive system is disturbed. Parasites in the body pose a serious threat. They absorb some of the nutrients.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms or tapeworms in the body cause tapeworms. Adults are only found in the intestines. The larvae can spread throughout the body. A person can be infected with the following tapeworms:
- Wide ribbon. It is the longest helminth in the world. He is able to grow up to 15-17 meters. The large tapeworm causes significant damage to the human body. Ulcers form at the site of his attachment.
- Bull tapeworm. It is another major parasite that negatively affects human health. It is most often located in the small intestine. Infection occurs when you eat contaminated meat that has been improperly heat-treated.
- Pork tapeworm. The tapeworm can grow up to several meters in length. Pests can be carried by wild and domestic pigs.
- Echinococcus. The eggs enter the environment with the feces. Infection often occurs when personal hygiene is not followed.
- Alveococcus. The parasite reaches a length of 2. 2 mm. Infection occurs through food contaminated with contaminated feces.
The pathology is manifested mainly by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A disturbance of nervous activity appears. The well-being of a person is constantly deteriorating.
To Fluke
The moats are flatworms. These are some of the most dangerous representatives. Almost all fluke parasitizes the owner's body. They do not change owners until a certain stage of development.
The change of host eliminates possible overpopulation in the host's body. The most common representatives of moats are:
- Siberian luck. Infection occurs when eating fish that have undergone insufficient heat treatment. It is in the human fecal masses that the eggs of this pest are contained. The parasite reaches a length of up to 13 mm. The body is almost completely transparent.
- Liver fluke. A parasite capable of infecting both animals and humans. An adult reaches a maximum of 8 cm. Infection is possible with the use of dirty plants, on which the fluke is already in its intermediate form. There is also a risk of waterborne contamination.
- Shistosoma. If left untreated, the schistosoma can cause the patient to die suddenly. Only 6 varieties of this parasite are dangerous for humans. The microorganism can be localized in the blood vessels, the bladder. Infection often occurs when swimming in fresh water.
- Clonorhis. People working in public catering are susceptible to infection. Clonorchis most commonly occurs in men over 35. They are in danger. The parasite's eggs are excreted in the faeces.
Most often, parasites enter the body when they eat raw or undercooked fish. Another common option is the presence of improperly washed vegetables and fruits in the diet.
Trematodes
It is a type of flatworm. Their main feature is the presence of suction cups. Trematodes include:
- Opisthorchiasis. The source of infection is raw or undercooked fish. The symptoms are not specific, so it is difficult to diagnose the disease. The result is most often unfavorable.
- Fasciolosis. When infected, the liver and biliary system are damaged. A characteristic sign of human infection is a sharp increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees.
- Dicrocéliosis. Helminthiasis, the causative agent of which is lanceolate fluke. Along with the pathology, the liver and gallbladder are also damaged.
The parasite is widespread throughout the world and poses a serious threat to livestock and humans.
Protozoa
The simplest pests are single-celled pests. Some of the representatives are the oldest inhabitants of the Earth. Parasites successfully adapt to the new conditions and reproduce thanks to their simple structure. The pest can live both in the skin and directly in the human body.
The movement of unicellular organisms can be carried out with the help of cilia, flagella, pseudopodia. These types of parasites include:
- Flagellated. They have an oval or pear-shaped body. The main difference is the presence of flagella. Their number can be from 1 to 8. The parasite sucks food all over the surface of the body. Infection can occur through insect bites, violation of the rules of personal hygiene, as well as promiscuous sexual activity.
- Sporovikov. They are able to live in different human organs. Nutrition, respiration, discharge of wastes are provided by the entire surface of the pest's body.
- Infusorium. They are ciliary or sucking parasites. They live in fresh water, the soil.
- Sarcode. The parasite is made up of a cell. Some species of sarcodes can live in human teeth if hygiene is inadequate.
Single-celled organisms can cause a number of dangerous diseases, including malaria, amebiasis, giardiasis, etc. Infection is possible by the contact-household, faecal-oral method, through contaminated products, as well as by a transmissible method.
Protozoa - infections caused in humans by the activity of protozoan microorganisms. Animals are also susceptible to pathologies. The pathologies they cause also include fungal infections.
In most cases, protozoan organisms reach humans through animals. In addition, their entry is possible by water, soil and person to person.
Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the surface of the body and on external organs. They can be a provocateur of skin diseases. In addition, ectoparasites are carriers of various infections.
The group of ectoparasites includes:
- Lice. It is a blood-sucking parasite. The oral organ pierces human skin with ease. If necessary, lice can resist fasting for several days. Lice can be body and head lice. Lice are a serious threat because they can be carriers of infectious diseases.
- Bloch. They are temporary ectoparasites. Passed from person to animal and vice versa. Provides severe discomfort to the bite
- Ixodid ticks. Unlike other ectoparasites, ticks are easy to kill. For this, vegetable oil or paraffin is used. The main thing is to take the extracted tick for examination. This will help ensure that it is not a carrier of infection
Most often ectoparasites infect animals, but human infection is also possible, for example ticks or lice. Pests feed on blood. They have a high reproduction rate.
Helminths
At the moment, experts identify 280 types of worms. All of them are able to live and develop in the human body. It is a mistake to believe that helminthiasis only occur in people from disadvantaged families. Worms can occur even in wealthy people who carefully watch their hygiene.
Helminths can be infected in several ways. Parasites can be spread from animals, person to person, and through contact with contaminated land. Most often, worms appear in children. This is due to non-compliance with preventive measures.
The first symptoms may not appear immediately. They can appear after 2-3 days or several weeks. It all depends directly on the type of parasites that have entered the body. Helminthiasis can be both acute and chronic.
Classification of parasites
All parasites are divided into species. There are large groups by:
- method of infection;
- localization method;
- biological characteristics.
Each of the groups has its own characteristics.
By type of location
Assign temporary, stationary, and transit location forms. In the first case, the parasite lives in the owner's body only at a certain stage of development. In a stationary form, pests are constantly in the human body. The transient form is the period of migration of the parasite to its habitat.
When treating, doctors always take into account not only the form of the parasite, but also the place of its residence. In total, pests are divided into 2 main categories. Parasites living on the skin are called ectoparasites. Pests that have settled inside the owner are endoparasites.
Internal parasites, in turn, are divided into 2 categories - parasites of tissues and parasites of abdominal organs. There are also atypical forms. In this case, the pests are located in places unusual for them.
External noise can be temporary or permanent. Those that feed on blood from a bite are temporary. They can cause infections. The rest of the parasites violate the integrity of the skin.
There are also intracellular pests. These include, for example, Plasmodium malaria.
By method of infection
Parasites can also be classified according to the mode of infection. The following penetration methods are distinguished:
- Contact and housekeeping. In this case, parasites penetrate as a result of violations of sanitary and hygienic standards.
- Fecal-oral. In this case, the infection occurs through dirty hands, as well as poor-quality products.
- Transmission tracks. Infection occurs by blood-sucking insects.
- Active paths. This is the name of the method of infection, in which the parasites reach the owner in the larval stage.
Thanks to the large number of ways to enter, you can get parasites anywhere. Only preventive measures can reduce the risk of infection.
By biological characteristics
Depending on the biological characteristics, parasites are divided into two categories - unicellular and multicellular. The first group includes sporozoa, ciliates, flagellates, histological amoebae. The main method of infection is ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.
Worms, insects, arachnids are generally classified as multicellular parasites. The danger of infection, for example, with helminths, is that the worms damage internal tissues and organs.
The most common multicellular parasites are worms.
Multicellular parasites are more dangerous. They are distinguished by their rapid reproduction rate and complex life cycle.
Where parasites can be found
Some parasites can live in specific parts of the body, while others can spread throughout the body. It is difficult to diagnose a parasitic infection.
Roundworms live mainly in the digestive tract. Infection occurs when eating unwashed food.
Parasites can be found under human skin. These representatives include rishta. The pest enters the body by drinking raw water. Tourists who go on vacation to countries where rishta is common are often infected.
Internal organs infect the fluke. They can live in the liver, pancreas, intestines, bile ducts. The main source of infection is the consumption of raw fish.
There are also tissue microorganisms. They can live in the spinal cord, muscles and connective tissue. Pets are the main source of infection.
There are also eye parasites. They can be round, flat, ringed, with a spiny head. The main source of infection is the improper heat treatment of fish or contact with infected animals.
Danger of parasitic infection for humans
Any parasitic infection requires urgent treatment. The earlier treatment is started, the faster it will be possible to control the pests and the fewer complications there will be.
Parasites in the human body can lead to serious pathologies:
- Some pests cause severe colitis. The condition is greatly aggravated if the patient has an ulcer. There may be blood in the stool, which is dangerous for the development of anemia. Treatment should be started as soon as possible.
- Parasites can take up residence in the brain or the liver. This condition can be dangerous not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient. When infected, there is a risk of developing a cyst.
- Pests living in the intestines can compromise its integrity. In addition, there is a risk of obstruction.
- Parasites inflict a heavy blow on the human immune system. Destruction of leukocytes and erythrocytes occurs. It almost instantly affects the general well-being of a person.
- Pests take up nutrients from the human body. The risk of developing thyroid disease, anemia increases. In addition, the condition of the hairline and nail plates worsens.
- The body is poisoned by toxic compounds. Parasite waste is toxic to humans. The more there are, the worse the well-being of the person. The risk of developing allergies, asthma and asthma attacks is increased.
Parasites are particularly dangerous for children. The infection turns into a large number of unpleasant symptoms. The child loses appetite, body weight decreases, apathy and fatigue appear. Your toddler may cry often and become agitated. Visible dark circles appear under the eyes.
The baby is growing, so it is important that he receives enough nutrients. With parasites in the body, this is not possible. The baby's condition deteriorates rapidly every day. The development of the child can be severely delayed.
The danger of parasites is that they can live in a person for months and years without being felt in any way. During this time, it will weaken significantly, it will face a lack of nutrients. Complete exhaustion possible. Only prompt treatment can help prevent this.
Factors contributing to infection
Often people themselves are responsible for the appearance of worms. A number of factors increase the likelihood of pests. These include:
- refusal to wash hands before eating;
- infection with dirty shoes;
- ignoring the signs of worms in pets;
- drink raw water;
- eat unwashed fruits and vegetables;
- improper heat treatment of meat and fish;
- eat out frequently;
- weakened immune system after taking strong drugs.
Parasite eggs first enter the intestines. After that, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and the larvae are carried throughout the body.
Parasites spread most quickly in large groups of children. This is due to non-compliance with hygiene rules and too close contact.
Symptoms of the appearance of parasites in the human body
It is important to know that sometimes the parasites do not appear at all for a long time. Symptoms are often general and are almost invisible at first.
The first symptoms of parasites in the body are rapid and unreasonable loss of body weight, as well as the appearance of an itchy sensation in the anus. It is only possible to verify the presence of parasitic infections by diagnosis. Symptoms of infection often include various disorders of the nervous system and general weakness of the body.
A person who has parasites suffers from a lack of vitamins. This contributes to the appearance of fatigue, severe drowsiness and constant apathy.
If the pests live in the intestines, problems with the digestive system are inevitable. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. There is a risk of increased gas formation and pain in the right hypochondrium.
In the presence of parasites, the protective functions of a person are reduced. Due to weak immunity, there is a risk of various infectious diseases.
One of the most obvious signs of parasites is the spontaneous onset of allergic symptoms. In addition, allergic rhinitis or persistent dry cough may start to bother.
Diagnosis of helminthiasis
It is only after diagnosis and confirmation of the presence of worms that they can be treated. To check for the presence of parasites, doctors use different diagnostic methods:
- Macroscopic. For him, the patient's stool is taken for analysis. A microscope or magnifying glass is used as additional equipment. This method is used to find pinworms or roundworms.
- Microscopic. For this, a thick smear is taken, which is then examined on a special membrane.
- Immunological. In this case, antibodies directed against a particular type of helminth are looked for in the blood. This method is used to search for a large number of different parasites.
- Biopsy. The presence of worms is determined by examining muscle tissue.
- Instrumental. Such methods are used to determine the extent to which internal organs and tissues are damaged by parasites. These methods include ultrasound, x-rays, and computed tomography.
Treatment of parasite infestation
To eliminate parasites, you can give preference to both medicinal and traditional methods. It is better to combine them. In this case, the effectiveness of the treatment will be the most pronounced and the fastest.
Treatment is selected on an individual basis. The most effective treatment is selected by the doctor, taking into account all the characteristics present in a particular patient.
Folk remedies for parasites in the human body
Traditional methods of treatment are no less effective than drugs. Their main advantage is total patient safety.
One of the best drugs is garlic juice. It contains phytoncides. They are the ones who destroy the parasites in the body. The juice is taken three times a day. Start with 5 drops per day. The dosage is gradually increased.
Another effective remedy is tincture of wormwood. Like garlic, it contains phytoncides. To prepare the drug, 1 tablespoon of wormwood is mixed with 100 ml of alcohol. The drug is insisted for a week in a dark place. Take 20 drops 3 times a day. The tincture is used 20 minutes before meals.
It is good to include plenty of carrots in your diet and drink their juice. It has a detrimental effect on parasites. It is recommended to take 1 glass of fresh carrot juice 30 minutes before meals.
Herbal decoctions have a great effect on the body. To prepare a remedy for parasites, mix 1 tbsp each. tansy, wormwood, aspen bark. All components are poured into a glass of water and brought to a boil. Take after cooling. Drink the broth 3 times a day, 125 ml before meals.
The main disadvantage of traditional therapy is that some drugs can cause an allergic reaction with intolerance to specific components. In this case, you will have to reconsider your therapy and find a decoction or tincture that does not include allergens in its composition.
There is also an opinion that in order to combat a small number of parasites, it is enough to reconsider your diet. In the menu you should include:
- pumpkin seeds;
- raw fruits and vegetables;
- coconut and pineapple;
- Chile;
- garlic;
- various vegetable oils.
All these products have a negative impact on the activity of parasites.
Medicines against parasites
Medication works better. The main thing is to take all medicines deliberately. It is important to know that they are powerful, so their use is only possible after consulting a doctor.
Self-medication with drugs against worms is strictly prohibited. There is a risk that the patient will only worsen his own well-being by using the wrong drugs needed in a particular case.
Prevention of parasites in the human body
It is easier to prevent the emergence of parasitic microorganisms than to fight them in the future. Everyone must adhere to existing security measures. For this, it is recommended:
- only use purified water for washing food and drinking;
- not to use other people's personal hygiene items;
- give medicine against parasites to animals for prophylaxis;
- stop eating dirty fruits and vegetables;
- stop eating raw fish.
Periodically diagnostics are required to ensure that no harmful microorganisms are present. If preventive measures are taken, the risk of infection is minimal. It is especially important to ensure that children follow the recommendations. They are the main risk group.