When parasites appear in the human body, various symptoms occur. This rarely occurs in the first stage of helminthiasis. Most often, the manifestations become noticeable much later. Because of this, the moment is moved at which the treatment will be as effective as possible. The symptomatology of the presence of parasites is due to the type of worm, as well as the degree of infection. In the article, we will consider how the diagnosis of parasites in the body is carried out.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
People respond differently to the ingress of foreign microorganisms into the body. It should be noted that with certain types of helminthiases, signs of their presence in an adult are noticeable several years after parasitic settlement. Only then, an infected person is diagnosed with parasites.
In young patients, often the first manifestations become noticeable at the initial stage of the pathology.
How to identify parasites in children
Helminths in young patients spread at high speed. As a result, the following symptoms of the presence of parasites appear:
- Deterioration in sleep quality.
- Weakness.
- Loss of appetite, usually accompanied by slow physical development.
- Violations of the stool (in most cases, constipation becomes their consequence).
- The appearance of irritability, nervousness, aggressiveness for no reason.
- Itching of the anal area and grinding of teeth are symptoms of certain worms.
When such symptoms appear in a child, parents are required to consult a pediatrician, who, as a rule, prescribes a series of tests.
Running diagnostics
It is important to determine at what point to contact specialists to diagnose parasites. Often worms do not manifest themselves, disguise themselves as human cells and are not attacked by the immune system. Only with an increase in their number or a violation of the function of a particular organ do symptoms arise. However, with careful attention to health, you can see some deviations that are the reason for going to the doctor.
Diagnosis of parasites is necessary when there is any complaint from the following:
- Constipation. Peristalsis changes at an early stage due to trauma to the intestinal walls. At the final stage, the number of worms can increase to such an extent that they overlap the intestinal lumen and cause symptoms of an “acute abdomen”.
- Diarrhea. Helminths produce substances that interfere with fluid absorption.
- Allergic reaction. Human immunity reacts to foreign substances that are secreted by parasites, and gives the body a signal of intoxication.
- Bloating occurs due to the development of a clear inflammatory process.
- Change in appetite. It is most often reduced, but its increase or addiction to rather strange products is not excluded.
- Weight loss due to a malfunction of the pancreas. This leads to a decrease in blood sugar. As a result, appetite increases, body weight increases. However, with some types of helminthiasis, patients lose weight dramatically.
- Deterioration of the skin due to toxic poisoning of the body.
- Constant fatigue. People complain of headaches and a condition similar to a cold.
- The processes of inflammation of the respiratory organs can also indicate infection with parasites. This is because the larvae enter the lungs and bronchi. Such a pathological symptom is very dangerous and needs to be treated immediately.
- Change of mood in the form of sudden aggression, depression.
Based on these symptoms, it is difficult to conclude the presence of parasites. However, when such complaints appear, it is advisable to appear to a specialist and be fully examined.
What is the diagnosis of parasites?
Traditional diagnostic methods
The pathology caused by parasites can be determined by various methods. Mostly used microscopic analysis. It was he who became the most common way that allows you to detect opisthorchis, worms and pinworms. Other types of parasites by this method are not determined.
The information content of the study reaches only 20%, however, due to the ease of implementation, it is he who is assigned to the patient in the first place. The reliability of the indicators depends on many factors: the location of the worms, the life cycles of microorganisms, the care of the laboratory assistant.
In some cases, you have to repeatedly pass the analysis.
Microscopic analysis of urine may be necessary, for example, to establish schistosomiasis.
In addition, laboratory diagnostic methods for parasites are used, which allow you to identify worms in the anus. In these ways, as a rule, parasites are found that could settle in the large intestine. However, it should be noted that eggs can be found only at a certain stage of development. Such an analysis should be taken when complaints of inflammation of the anus, hyperemia and itching appear.
Ultrasound scan
Popular are hardware methods for diagnosing the presence of parasites. Ultrasound is one of them. If pulmonary forms are suspected, radiography is used. In addition, doctors prescribe endobiopsy and endoscopy. This makes it possible to assess the state of internal organs, determine the biological secrets of eggs of worms. Already on the basis of such information, you can diagnose the patient. However, it may turn out that negative results are obtained, there are no deviations during instrumental methods, however, there are signs of parasitic infection, and the patient's condition worsens. In this case, other methods of diagnosing parasites in the body are required.
Modern diagnostic techniques
The disease does not always have pronounced clinical signs. Parasites are often identified during examinations that are prescribed due to other diseases. The reliability of the diagnosis depends largely on the stage of development of the worms, the form of pathology, the size reached by the parasite. However, there are methods for diagnosing parasites that can determine infection at almost any stage.
Serological studies accurately show the presence or absence of worms in the human body. Methods are based on the detection of antibodies to individual proteins or substances. Consider these methods in more detail.
REEF
This is an immunofluorescence assay to determine antigens or antibodies. It is based on the use of specific dyes that are able to glow in UV rays. If there are antibodies to certain parasites, staining, they also begin to glow. Blood for analysis is taken from a vein. The study is especially difficult and is done only by an experienced specialist. Most often includes two stages.
Rnga
Based on an assessment of the reaction of red blood cells to different serums and agents. You can judge the pronounced manifestation of infection by the number of red blood cells precipitated after exposure to them with an irritant. In the same way, the body is examined for viral diseases. This analysis allows you to determine the degree of damage by counting red blood cells precipitated. This is the most sensitive method, but also the most specific.
What other diagnosis of parasites in the human body is carried out?
PCR
The analysis is based on the identification of RNA and DNA molecules, which, through specific reactions, are isolated from the patient’s biomaterial. For research, they can take secretions, blood or saliva. This is the most informative method. The result of the analysis will show whether or not parasites are present in the human body. In addition, thanks to PCR, it will be possible to determine the type of helminth itself. This method of diagnosing human parasites does not allow to establish the degree of organ damage and the stage of the disease.
IFA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is based on the search for antibodies to parasites. The accuracy technique takes one of the leading places. In 92% of cases, the first analysis will show the desired result. Thanks to him, the presence of infection, the form and severity of the course, the stage of the pathology are determined. After the treatment, some antibodies will still be detected, which indicates the recovery of the body. IFA is also used when you need to monitor the dynamics of therapy.
Qualitative diagnosis of parasite invasion needs a full analysis. The diagnosis cannot be based on one study. Most often, several tests are prescribed at once. The doctor, when choosing, takes into account the type of disease, the lesion site and the stage.
Computer diagnostics of parasites consists in the use of special programs that allow you to compare the affected and healthy organs in humans. Some doctors are skeptical of this research method and prefer traditional tests.
The listed methods for the diagnosis of parasites for one patient can be used more than once. This is due to the complexity of the parasitic development cycles. Many drugs work exclusively on adults. After treatment, helminth larvae may remain in the human body, which under certain conditions begin to develop. Therefore, tests in a couple of weeks can again give a positive answer.
It is difficult to determine independently which research method will be needed. Therefore, you can not take tests at your own discretion. If you suspect an infection with parasites, you should contact a specialist who will advise how to detect worms in the body and what to do when the analysis results are obtained.
We examined the diagnosis of parasites. The treatment is described below.
How is the therapy
To get rid of worms, the body needs to be prepared. To do this, the intestines are cleaned. If necessary, toxins and toxins are removed.
Cleaning the body of parasites consists of several stages:
- Diet. The menu includes cereals, fresh juices, protein foods, fiber. Fatty, floury and sweet are excluded. Acidic foods are used that make it easier to get rid of parasites.
- Cleansing enema (made on the basis of traditional medicine from worms, for example, garlic, soda, tansy).
- If necessary, antiparasitic cleansing of the body is carried out more extensively: the kidneys, intestines and liver are cleaned.
The treatment of helminthiasis in the human body must necessarily include the use of choleretic and enzyme preparations. The course usually lasts no more than two weeks. They begin it before the use of medicines from worms.
The traditional treatment regimen is based on the following remedies:
- Pharmacy preparations. The elimination of parasites in this case occurs quickly (in 2-4 weeks). But cleaning the body of worms in this case has a lot of limitations and side effects. The most effective: Pirantel, Albendazole, Levamisole, Praziquantel.
- Preparations that include extracts of various herbs. Purification from parasites is carried out using natural poisons that accumulate gradually. The disadvantage is a reduced rate of influence.
- Homeopathy. When solving the problem of cleansing the body, various methods must be implemented. Parasites can be removed with the help of homeopathy for a period of three to twelve months.
Restorative treatment must be provided. At the same time vitamins, microelements, pre- and probiotics, enzyme preparations are prescribed.
Reviews about the diagnosis of parasites
Stool analysis and smear have approximately the same sensitivity and specificity. They are relevant in determining enterobiosis and other diseases caused by roundworms.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is currently promising. Such diagnostic methods are more advantageous, as they differ in specificity and high sensitivity.
Specific diagnostics includes the PCR method, which is the most effective and indicative for any parasitic and infectious diseases. However, it has a high cost.
Life situations show that the choice of the most effective method is justified by the clinical signs and complaints of the victim. That is why you need to see a doctor and get guidance on what to do next.
A lot of negative reviews about computer diagnostics. Most patients consider this technique pumping money, since the results of the analysis often do not coincide with the actual situation.
There are negative reviews about the work of some laboratories in which PCR analysis is carried out for each parasite separately. Paying, of course, you need every study. This client is offered an extensive list with the names of helminths. Among them it is necessary to choose those who will be determined. But initially, neither the doctor nor the patient knows which particular invasion is present. Therefore, people have to pay extra money.
Positive feedback on the analysis of feces for worm eggs. the method is painless, research is cheap. The disadvantage is that in the feces you can find eggs of only certain types of worms.