Parasitism as a form of existence arose on earth for a long time, starting from ancient protozoa and unicellular microorganisms.Humanity faces several parasites since the beginning of its existence, but during the millennia of cohabitation, the parasites have not become "smarter" and more perfect for their ancestors.Parasites can cause irreparable health damage, until the development of disability or severe death.But mentioning the word "parasite", all basically think of worms, although this term is much broader.We will discuss the parasites in more detail.
Parasites: Who are they?
Parasites are unicellular or multicellular organisms that live in their owner's body or inside it (in the cavities of the body or cells).In general, they are much smaller than fauna predators, they have the ability to multiply and survive in severe conditions.They eat at the expense of their owner, while causing damage.With this, they differ from the symbions: organisms that live within their owner and benefit it.
Many of the parasites, in addition to damaging, can also transmit dangerous diseases.Examples are mosquitoes that transport malaria and ticks that transport encephalitis transmitted by ticks and paneliosis.
Parasites sizes differ significantly, from microscopic, which can only be seen in a microscope, to worms, reaching a length of up to 10 m or more.The parasites use several resources of the owner: these are carbohydrates or proteins, fats, as well as minerals or vitamins to grow and develop.In the human body, the parasite can pass an or all stages of the life cycle, intermediate or final.The manifestations of the infected will depend on this.
Most parasites have microscopic sizes, are difficult to detect.But some types of parasitic worms can form cysts of size at the child's head or reach a length of several meters.
Varieties of parasitism
Several types of parasitism are distinguished.They depend on the parasite habitat in the human body:
Endoparasites.They live within the body of the owners, the typical representatives are helminths (or worms).They can live in intestines, body cavities.Intracellular or intercellular parasites respectively affect certain body tissues.These include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa.
To disseminate endoparasites, special conditions are needed and sometimes carriers.Organisms that lead them to their constant habitats.For example, for malaria, a carrier will be a mosquito.
Exoparasites.These organisms live on the surface of the owner's body, eating their biological means for the bites.Typical representatives are lice, fleas, mosquitoes, ticks.
EpiparasitesThey parasitate in other parasites forming superparasitism.Then, fleas that feed on the blood of animals or humans have protozoa in the intestines, parasites that already live in the body of insects themselves.
Types of human parasites
Although viruses, fungi and bacteria also damage a person in their body, are considered separately as pathogens of infectious diseases.People's true parasites include:
ProtozoaThese are unicellular organisms that can only share owners within the body.The examples are a dissenting amoeba, malaria plasmodium or chlamydia.
Helmintos.These are parasitic worms of different types: plane, tape, round and others.
Parasitic insects.This group includes lice, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes.
How does a parasitic infection manifest?
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 analysis.Sometimes, manifestations resemble bronchitis or pneumonia, hormonal imbalance, allergies or food poisoning.Some parasites, upholstered in the intestines or the abdominal cavity, cause abdominal pain, hypovitaminosis or cholecystitis.Among the most typical symptoms, experts distinguish:
- Skin rashes, spots, bubbles, itching or bruises.
- Increase in appetite or its suppression, weight loss.
- Diarrhea and vomiting, various types of abdominal pain.
- Anemia (decrease in the level of hemoglobin or red blood cells).
- Sleep disorders: severe insomnia or drowsiness.
- Joint pain, muscles, skin.
- Allergic reactions that did not exist before.
- General discomfort, weakness, irritability.
- Periodic temperatures up to high numbers or constant subfebrile fever.
However, these same manifestations are typical for many other non -parasitic diseases, therefore, the diagnosis can confirm the detection of the parasite itself, its eggs or antibodies in the blood.
Important!There are often no symptoms for a long time, they can occur after stress or infection, with the spread of parasites to "critical mass."Meanwhile, many parasitic diseases are infectious, and a person, without suspecting it, infects others.This is especially probable if you neglect elementary hygiene rules.
How are parasites spread?
Depending on the type of parasite, the paths of their propagation can vary.The transmission of the simplest, who lives in the intestines of a person, to another person, as a general rule, a fecal-oral route occurs (for example, through infected food or water), with close contacts of humans to a person.The simplest, who live in people's blood or tissues, are transmitted to other people through insects (for example, through a mosquito bite or a sandy fly).
Many helminths in adulthood cannot multiply in people.People can be final teachers, adults live in them, or intermediate, the larvae live in them.Eggs or larvae are transmitted from dirty hands, infected foods or water, dust particles raised in the air.In addition, parasites can fall with infected fish, meat and a bird where the larvae spread.
Ectoparasites: lice and scabies, are transmitted by contact through communication and close contacts with infected children or adults.Arthropods are important not only as provocative of diseases in themselves, but even more important such as bearers of serious diseases: malaria, eruption typhoid, pillitis transmitted by ticks, etc.
Parasitic infections cause a large number of diseases in both tropics and subtropics, as well as in a more moderate climate.Of all parasitic diseases, malaria is the cause of most deaths in the world.Around 660,000 people die annually from malaria, most of whom are young children.
How to identify parasites?
Of course, if these are pubic or head lice, scabies or plug worms that parents find in the baby's pot;The diagnosis is already clear, it only needs to be treated.But most parasites must first identify, determine exactly who it is, and only then select a treatment that is effective and safe.
Several types of laboratory tests are available today for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.The type of study that will be prescribed by the treating physician depends on their symptoms and complaints, any other disease that may have and its history of travel abroad or throughout the country.The diagnosis can be complicated, so the doctor can prescribe not only tests, but also additional procedures.A list of some frequent use tests that a doctor can be prescribed by diagnosing parasites:
Story study for parasite detection or eggs.The analysis is used to identify parasites that cause diarrhea, liquid feces or aqueous, stomach cramps, flatulence and other abdominal cavity diseases.It is recommended to explore three or more stool samples collected in a few days.
Blood analysis for parasites antibodies, urine tests, blood crops and some other tests depending on the alleged diagnosis.Some, but not all, you can find parasitic infections when analyzing your blood.However, in this case, the blood will be examined to detect a specific parasitic infection;There is no blood test that determines all parasitic infections.The doctor can prescribe two main types of blood analysis:
Serology.This test is used to search for antigens or parasites that occur when the body is infected with parasites, and the immune system tries to fight the invaders.
Blood smear.This test is used to identify parasites found in the blood.Looking at a blood smear under a microscope, it is possible to diagnose parasitic diseases, such as friable, malaria or babusosis.This test is carried out by placing drops of blood in the glass subject to a microscope.Then, the object glass is painted and examined under a microscope.
In addition to the tests, the doctor can prescribe other studies.Endoscopy is used to detect parasites that cause diarrhea, liquid feces or aqueous, abdominal cramps, flatulence and other symptoms of the abdominal cavity.It is used when the study of feces does not reveal the cause of their diarrhea.During the procedure in the mouth (endoscopy) or straight (colonoscopy), a tube with camera and background light is introduced so that the doctor can examine the intestines.This test is looking for parasites or other anomalies that can cause unpleasant symptoms.
X -ray images, magnetic resonance image (MRI), calculated axial tomography (KAT).These tests are used to look for some parasitic diseases that may cause organs.
How to be treated?
When the precise diagnosis is known, it is already easier to choose the treatment.Almost all parasitic diseases cure today.However, the treatment of helminthiasis is of multiple stages and will take time from the patient.
In the first stage, the body must prepare and clean up of accumulated toxins.The patient is prescribed sorbantes.Toxins cleaning hard at least five days.
In the second stage, antihelmintic agents are prescribed to the patient.It is better if the medicine is selected individually for a certain type of parasite.The treatment is carried out in two courses.The first course will kill Helmints adults in the human body.After 10-14 days, adult worms will be replaced by new ones that will hatch from eggs in layers.The second course will kill new people.
In the third stage, the digestive, liver and immune system is restored.A sorban course is prescribed to the patient, and after taking medications that help in the digestive tract.Polyvitamins are added at the same time.
Sometimes, the disease can be launched or has a special shape, which requires surgical intervention.So, for example, in the presence of equinoctic cysts in the liver, kidney or lungs, only its elimination will help.
The doctor selects the entire course of treatment, medicines and other procedures, depending on the diagnosis, age and weight of the patient.