Parasitism as a form of existence arises on earth for a long time, starting with ancient protozoa and unicellular microorganisms.Humanity is faced with various parasites from the beginning of its existence, but for thousands of years of occupation, parasites have not been "smarter" and more perfect for their ancestors.Parasites can cause irreparable harm to health, thus the development of severe defects or deaths.But in the word "parasite", everyone basically thinks about worms, though the term is much wider.We will discuss parasites in more detail.
Parasit: Who are they?
Parasites are unicellular or multicellular organisms that live on the body of its owner or in it (in the body cavity or cell).They are usually smaller than the size of the fauna predator, having the ability to reproduce quickly and survive in severe conditions.They ate at the expense of the owner, causing him to ruin.Thus, they are different from symbeants - organisms that live in their owners and benefit them.
Many parasites, in addition to harming themselves, can also transmit dangerous diseases.Examples are mosquitoes that carry malaria and lice that carry encephalitis and borreliosis.
The size of the parasite varies significantly - from the microscopic, which can only be seen in the microscope, to the worm, reaching up to 10 m or more.Parasites use various sources of owners - these are carbohydrates or proteins, fats, and minerals or vitamins to grow and grow.In the human body, parasites can pass one or all stages of life cycle - middle or end.The infected manifestation will depend on this.
Most parasites have microscopic size, they are difficult to detect.But some types of parasite worms can form a size cyst to the head of the child or reach a length of a few meters.
Type of parasitism
Some types of parasitism are distinguished.They depend on the parasitic habitat in the human body:
Endoparasites.They live in the body of the owner, the typical representatives are helminths (or worms).They can live in the intestines, body cavities.Intraselular or intercellular parasites affect each of the body's tissues.These include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa.
To spread endoparasites, special conditions are needed, and sometimes carriers.Organisms that lead them to persistent habitats.For example, for the carrier malaria would be a mosquito.
Exoparasites.These organisms live on the surface of the owner's body, eating biological media for bites.Typical representatives are fleas, lice, mosquitoes, fleas.
Epiparasit.They are parasites in other parasites by forming super-parasitism.Therefore, lice that eat the blood of animals or humans have protozoa in the intestines - living parasites are already present in the body of the insect.
The type of human parasites
Although viruses, fungi and bacteria also harm a person in their body, they are considered separately as the pathogen of infectious diseases.Real parasites of people include:
Protozoa.These are unicellular organisms that can only share owners in the body.Examples are amoeba dysentri, malaria plasmodium or chlamydia.
Helminths.These are parasitic worms of various types - flat, tape, round and other.
Parasitic insects.The group includes fleas, fleas, fleas, mosquitoes.
How is the parasitic infection developed?
One of the unpleasant facts is that not all parasitic infections have common symptoms.Therefore, if insect bites and fleas 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 inflammation of the lungs, hormone imbalance, allergies or food poisoning.Some parasites, chairs in the intestines or abdominal cavities, cause abdominal pain, hypovitaminosis or cholecystitis.Among the most common symptoms, experts distinguish:
- Rash on the skin, spots, bubbles, itching or bruises.
- Increase your appetite or oppression, weight loss.
- Diarrhea and vomiting, various types of abdominal pain.
- Anemia (a decrease in hemoglobin or red blood cells).
- Sleep disorders - insomnia or severe drowsiness.
- Joint pain, muscle, skin.
- Allergic reactions that did not exist before.
- General weakness, weakness, irritation.
- Periodic temperature up to high amounts or persistent subfebrile fever.
However, the same manifestation is typical of many other diseases, not parasites, so the diagnosis can confirm the detection of the parasite itself, eggs or antibodies to the blood.
IMPORTANT!Often there are no symptoms for a long time, they can occur after pressure or infection, with the spread of parasites to "critical mass".Meanwhile, many parasitic diseases are contagious, and one, without suspecting, infects others.This is very possible if you ignore the basic rules of hygiene.
How is the parasite spreading?
Depending on the type of parasite, the spread path may vary.The simplest delivery, which lives in one's intestines, to others, as a rule, there is a fecal-oral path (for example, through infected food or water), with a close relationship from human to.The simplest, living in the blood or tissues of people, is sent to others through insects (for example, through mosquito bites or sandy flying).
Many helminths in adults cannot breed in people.People can be the final masters - adults live in it, or the secondary - the larvae live in it.Eggs or larvae are transmitted from dirty hands, infected food or water, dust particles are lifted into the air.In addition, parasites can fall with fish, meat, and larvae -infected birds.
Ectoparasites - lice and sores, sent through contact with communication and close relationships with infected children or adults.Arthropods are important not only as a provocator of the disease in themselves, but more importantly as a serious carrier of the disease - malaria, rash tifus, bug encephalitis, etc.
Parasitic infections cause a large number of diseases in both tropics and subtropics, as well as in a simpler climate.Of all parasitic diseases, malaria is the cause of most deaths in the world.About 660,000 people die every year from malaria, mostly children.
How to identify parasites?
Of course, if this is a genital lice or head, sores or pinworms sought by parents in the baby pot - the diagnosis is clear, you just need to be treated.But most parasites need to be identified, determine exactly who it is, and only to choose the treatment that will be effective and safe.
Various types of laboratory tests are available today for the diagnosis of parasitic disease.The types of studies that will be prescribed by the attending physician depending on your symptoms and complaints, any other illness you may have and your travel history overseas or nationwide.Diagnosis can be complicated, so doctors can prescribe not only the test, but also additional procedures.A list of some of the most commonly used tests that doctors can be prescribed when diagnosing parasites:
Stool studies to detect their parasites or eggs.This analysis is used to identify parasites that cause diarrhea, fluid or watery stools, stomach cramps, bloating and other diseases of the abdominal cavity.It is recommended to explore three or more samples of stools collected in a few days.
Blood tests for antibodies to parasites, urine tests, blood plants and several other tests depend on the diagnosis.Some, but not all, parasitic infections are available when analyzing your blood.However, in this case, blood will be examined for certain parasite infections;No blood test will determine all parasitic infections.Doctors can prescribe two main types of blood tests:
Serological.This test is used to find antibodies or parasites produced when the body is infected with parasites, and the immune system attempts to fight intruders.
Blood smear.This test is used to identify parasites in the blood.Looking at blood smear under a microscope, it is possible to diagnose parasitic diseases, such as friliatosis, malaria or babusiosis.This test was conducted by placing blood drops on the subject of the microscope subject.Then the object of the object is painted and inspected under a microscope.
In addition to the test, doctors may prescribe other studies.Endoscopy is used to detect parasites that cause diarrhea, fluid or watery stools, stomach cramps, bloating and other symptoms of the abdominal cavity.It is used when a stool study does not reveal the cause of your diarrhea.During the procedure in the mouth (endoscopy) or rectum (colonoscopy), tubes with cameras and background lights are introduced so that doctors can check the intestines.This test is looking for parasites or other anomalies that can cause unpleasant symptoms.
X-ray images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), calculating axis tomography (KAT).This test is used to find some parasitic diseases that can cause organs.
How to treat?
When an accurate diagnosis is known, it's easier to choose treatment.Almost all parasitic diseases are cured today.However, the treatment of helminthiasis is a variety of stages and will take time from the patient.
In the first stage, the body should be prepared and cleaned from accumulated toxins.The patient is a prescribed sorbent.Cleaning the toxin body lasts for at least five days.
In the second stage, the anthelmintic agent is prescribed to the patient.It is best if the drug is individually selected for a particular type of parasite.Treatment is conducted in two courses.The first course will kill adults helminths in the human body.After 10-14 days, adult worms will be replaced by new ones that will hatch from layered eggs.The second course will kill new individuals.
In the third stage, the digestive tract, liver and immune system are restored.Patients are prescribed sorben courses, and after taking medications that help in the digestive tract.Polyvitamin is added at the same time.
Sometimes the disease can be launched or has a special form, which requires surgical intervention.So, for example, with the presence of echinococcal cyst in the liver, kidneys or lungs, only their removal will help.
The entire course of treatment, medications and other procedures is selected by the doctor, based on the diagnosis, age and weight of the patient.