A variety of parasites can live in humans. It can be not only multicellular and protozoa, but also viruses, bacteria, fungi. They parasitize at the expense 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 a lot of parasitic organisms that thrive in the human body. They all have specific features.
Roundworms
Roundworms or nematodes include about 1000 subspecies in their group. The most famous representatives are pinworm, Trichinella, toxocara, hookworm, nekator, as well as ascaris. They enter the body through the mouth or skin. The main representatives of roundworms are described in the table.
| Parasite | Description |
| Pinworms | This is a round worm that does not exceed 2-12 mm in length. Females are usually larger. These representatives parasitize in the lower intestine and large intestine. Adult females lay eggs in the perianal region. Most often, such representatives are found in children. Eggs fall on the patient's hands when scratching the anus, which itches in the presence of such parasites. Itching is one of the first symptoms. |
| Trichinella | Trichinella is a nematode. Pests enter the body along with poorly processed meat. After they enter the body, its complete intoxication begins. In an advanced case, parasites can be fatal in humans. |
| Toxocars | This parasite often lives in animals, including cattle. Young children are highly susceptible to toxocariosis. The parasite multiplies extremely quickly, so treatment should be started immediately. |
| Hookworms | It is believed that every 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 timely 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. The female pest lays up to 10 thousand eggs per day. The larvae of parasites enter the external environment together with feces. |
| Ascaris | Roundworms can grow up to 35 cm long. First, the parasite develops in the small intestine, and then spreads throughout the body. In order for individuals to become sexually mature, it is necessary to re-enter the body. |
After the roundworms enter the human body, the process of development of pathological symptoms begins. The intestinal walls become inflamed and, for this reason, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted. Parasites in the body are a serious threat. They absorb some of the nutrients.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms or cestodes present in the body cause cestodes. Adults are found only in the intestines. The larvae are able to spread throughout the body. A person can become infected with the following tapeworms:
- Wide ribbon. This is the longest helminth in the world. He is able to grow up to 15-17 meters. The broad tapeworm causes significant harm to the human body. Ulcers form at the site of its attachment.
- Bull tapeworm. This is another major parasite that negatively affects human health. It is located most often in the small intestine. Infection occurs when eating contaminated meat that has been poorly processed thermally.
- Pork tapeworm. The tapeworm can grow up to several meters in length. Pests can be carried by wild and domestic pigs.
- Echinococcus. Eggs enter the environment along with fecal matter. Infection often occurs when personal hygiene is not followed.
- Alveococcus. The parasite grows in length to 2. 2 mm. Infection occurs through food that is contaminated with contaminated feces.
Pathology is primarily manifested by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A disorder of nervous activity appears. A person's well-being is constantly deteriorating.
Fluke Worms
Flukes are flatworms. These are some of the most dangerous representatives. Almost all flukes parasitize the body of the owner. Only at a certain stage of development do they change ownership.
Change of host eliminates possible overpopulation in the host's body. The most common representatives of flukes include:
- Siberian fluke. Infection occurs when eating fish that has undergone insufficient heat treatment. It is in human fecal masses that the eggs of this pest are contained. The parasite grows in length up to 13 mm. The body is almost completely transparent.
- Liver fluke. A parasite capable of infecting both animals and humans. An adult grows up to a maximum of 8 cm. Infection is possible with the use of dirty plants, on which fluke is already located in its intermediate form. There is also a risk of waterborne contamination.
- Shistosoma. If untreated, schistosoma can cause sudden death of the patient. Only 6 varieties of this parasite are dangerous to humans. The microorganism can be located in the blood vessels, bladder. Infection often occurs when swimming in fresh water.
- Clonorhis. People working in public catering are susceptible to infection. Clonorchis most often occurs in men over 35. They are at risk. The eggs of the parasite are excreted in the faeces.
Most often, parasites enter the body when eating raw or poorly cooked fish. Another common option is the presence of poorly washed vegetables and fruits in the diet.
Trematodes
This is a type of flatworm. Their main feature is the presence of suction cups. Trematodes include:
- Opisthorchiasis. The source of infection is raw or poorly cooked fish. Symptoms are nonspecific, so it is difficult to diagnose the disease. The outcome is most often unfavorable.
- Fascioliasis. 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.
- Dicroceliosis. Helminthiasis, the causative agent of which is the lanceolate fluke. In case of pathology, the liver and gallbladder are additionally damaged.
The parasite is widespread throughout the world and poses a serious threat to livestock and humans.
Protozoa
The simplest parasites are single-celled pests. Some of the representatives are the oldest inhabitants of the Earth. Parasites successfully adapt to new conditions and reproduce due 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, pseudopods. These types of parasites include:
- Flagellates. They have an oval or pear-shaped body. The main difference is the presence of flagella. Their number can be 1-8. The parasite sucks food through the entire surface of the body. Infection can occur through insect bites, violation of personal hygiene rules, as well as promiscuous sexual activity.
- Sporoviks. They are able to live in different human organs. Nutrition, respiration, release of waste products are carried out by the entire surface of the pest's body.
- Infusorium. These are ciliary or sucking parasites. They live in fresh waters, soil.
- Sarcode. The parasite consists of one cell. Some sarcode species are able to live in human teeth if hygiene is inadequate.
Single-celled organisms can lead to a number of dangerous diseases, including malaria, amebiasis, giardiasis, etc. Infection is possible by contact-household method, fecal-oral, through contaminated products, as well as a transmissible method.
Protozoan - infections caused in humans by the activity of protozoan microorganisms. Animals are also susceptible to pathologies. The pathologies that they cause also include fungal infections.
In most cases, protozoan organisms get to humans from animals. Also, their entry is possible through water, soil and from 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 carry 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 withstand fasting for several days. Lice can be body and head lice. Lice are a serious threat as they can carry infectious diseases.
- Bloch. These are temporary ectoparasites. Passed from person to animal and back. Delivers severe bite discomfort.
- Ixodid ticks. Unlike other ectoparasites, ticks are easy to get rid of. For this, vegetable oil or paraffin is used. The main thing is to take the extracted tick for examination. This will help to make sure that he 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 capable of living and developing in the human body. It is a mistake to believe that helminthiases occur only in people from disadvantaged families. Worms can occur even in wealthy people who carefully monitor their hygiene.
Helminths can be infected in many ways. Parasites can be spread from animals, from person to person, and by 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 what kind of parasites 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;
- location method;
- biological characteristics.
Each of the groups has its own characteristics.
By localization type
Temporary, stationary and transit forms of localization are distinguished. 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 referred to as 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 unusual places for them.
External parasites can be temporary or permanent. Those that feed on blood through bites 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 infection method
Parasites can also be classified according to the mode of infection. The following penetration methods are distinguished:
- Contact and household. In this case, parasites penetrate as a result of violations of sanitary and hygienic standards.
- Fecal-oral. In this case, infection occurs through dirty hands, as well as low-quality products.
- Transmission tracks. Infection occurs through blood-sucking insects.
- Active paths. This is the name of the method of infection, in which the parasites get to the owner at the larval stage.
Thanks to the large number of ways to get in, you can get parasites anywhere. Only preventive measures make it possible to reduce the risk of infection.
By biological characteristics
According to biological characteristics, parasites are divided into two categories - unicellular and multicellular. The first group includes sporozoans, ciliates, flagellates, histological amoebas. The main method of infection is ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.
Worms, insects, arachnids are usually referred to as multicellular parasites. The danger of infection, for example with helminths, is that the worms damage tissues and internal organs.
The most common multicellular parasites are worms.
Multicellular parasites are more dangerous. They are distinguished by their fast 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 parasite infection.
Roundworms live primarily 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 when drinking raw water. Tourists who go on vacation to countries where rishta is common are often infected.
Internal organs infect flukes. They can live in the liver, pancreas, intestines, biliary tract. The main source of infection is the consumption of raw fish.
There are also tissue microorganisms. They can live in the spinal cord, muscle and connective tissues. The main source of infection is domestic animals.
There are also eye parasites. They can be round, flat, ringed, spiny-headed. The main source of infection is poor heat treatment of fish or contact with infected animals.
Danger of parasitic infection for humans
Any parasitic infection requires urgent treatment. The sooner treatment is started, the faster it will be possible to cope with the pests and the fewer complications will arise.
Parasites in the human body can lead to serious pathologies:
- Some pests cause the development of acute colitis. The condition is significantly 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 liver. This condition can be dangerous not only for health, but also for the patient's life. When infected, there is a risk of developing a cyst.
- Pests living in the intestines can destroy its integrity. Additionally, there is a risk of obstruction.
- Parasites deal a significant blow to the human immune system. The destruction of leukocytes and erythrocytes occurs. This almost instantly affects the general well-being of a person.
- Pests take nutrients from the human body. The risk of developing thyroid diseases, anemia increases. Additionally, the condition of the hairline and nail plates deteriorates.
- The body is poisoned by toxic components. The waste products of parasites are poisonous to humans. The more of them, the worse a person's well-being. The risk of developing allergies, asthma, and asthma attacks is increased.
Parasites are especially dangerous for children. 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 restless. Visible dark circles appear under the eyes.
The baby is in the growing phase, so it is important for him to get enough nutrients. With parasites in the body, this is not possible. The baby's condition is rapidly deteriorating every day. The child may be severely delayed in development.
The danger of parasites is that they can live in a person for months and years without making themselves felt. During this time, he will significantly weaken, will face a lack of nutrients. Possible complete exhaustion. Only timely treatment can help prevent this.
Contributing factors to infection
People themselves are often to blame for the appearance of worms. There are a number of factors that increase the likelihood of pests. These include:
- refusal to wash hands before eating;
- bringing in infections along with dirty shoes;
- ignoring signs of worms in pets;
- drinking raw water;
- eating unwashed fruits and vegetables;
- poor heat treatment of meat and fish;
- frequent eating outside;
- weakening of the immune system after taking strong medicines.
Pre-eggs of parasites enter the intestines. After that, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and the larvae are carried throughout the body.
The parasites spread most quickly in large groups of children. This is due to ignoring the rules of hygiene and too close contacts.
Symptoms of the appearance of parasites in the human body
It is important to know that sometimes parasites do not manifest themselves at all for a long period of 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 possible to verify the presence of parasitic infections only through diagnosis. Symptoms of infection often include various disorders of the nervous system and general weakness in 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 pests live in the intestines, then problems with the digestive system are inevitable. Diarrhea may alternate with constipation. There is a risk of increased gas formation and pain in the right hypochondrium.
In the presence of parasites, a person's protective functions are reduced. Due to poor immunity, there is a risk of various infectious diseases.
One of the clearest signs of parasites is the spontaneous appearance of allergy symptoms. Additionally, allergic rhinitis or persistent dry cough may begin to bother.
Diagnostics of helminthiasis
Only after the diagnosis and confirmation of the presence of worms can one proceed to their treatment. In order to make sure that parasites are present, doctors use different diagnostic methods:
- Macroscopic. For him, the patient's feces are taken for analysis. A microscope or magnifier is used as an additional equipment. This method is used to find pinworms or ascaris.
- Microscopic. For this, a thick smear is taken, which is further examined on a special membrane.
- Immunological. In this case, antibodies to a particular type of helminths are looked for in the blood. This method is used to search for a huge number of different parasites.
- Biopsy. The presence of worms is determined by examining muscle tissue.
- Instrumental. Such methods are used to determine how much the internal organs and tissues are damaged by parasites. These methods include ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography.
Treatment of parasite infestation
To eliminate parasites, you can give preference to both drug methods and folk methods. It is best to combine them. In this case, the effectiveness of therapy will be most pronounced and rapid.
Treatment is selected on an individual basis. The most effective therapy is selected by the doctor, taking into account all the features that are present in a particular patient.
Folk remedies for parasites in the human body
Traditional methods of treatment are no less effective than medications. Their main advantage is complete safety for the patient.
One of the best medicines is garlic juice. It contains phytoncides. It is they who destroy pests 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 wormwood tincture. Like garlic, it contains phytoncides. To prepare the medicine, 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 a lot 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 down. 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 if there is an 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 to combat a small number of parasites, it is enough to reconsider your diet. In the menu you need to include:
- pumpkin seeds;
- raw fruits and vegetables;
- coconut and pineapple;
- chile;
- garlic;
- various vegetable oils.
All of these products have a negative impact on the activity of parasites.
Medication for parasites
Medication is more effective. The main thing is to take all medications deliberately. It is important to know that they are potent, therefore their use is possible only after prior consultation with a doctor.
Self-medication with drugs for worms is strictly prohibited. There is a risk that the patient will only worsen his own state of health by using the wrong medications that are required 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 should adhere to existing safety measures. For this it is recommended:
- use only purified water for washing food and drinking;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene items;
- give drugs against parasites to animals for prophylaxis;
- stop eating dirty fruits and vegetables;
- stop eating raw fish.
Diagnostics is periodically 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 make sure that the children adhere to the recommendations. It is they who are in the main risk group.