In modern conditions, more than 300 parasitic infections are known. Microorganisms that excite them and helminth worms penetrate the human body to utilize its resources, as do scabies mites and lice that live on the skin and hair.
Sometimes parasitic diseases are almost asymptomatic. However, many infections can have serious consequences: parasites disrupt metabolism, poison the body and destroy tissues and organs. Some parasites pose a deadly threat. For example, malaria, an infection transmitted by malaria mosquitoes, kills more than 600, 000 people every year.
In our country, 1 to 2 million cases of parasitic diseases are recorded annually, but, according to doctors, in reality the number of people infected with these infections is several times higher.
According to the World Health Organization, 4. 5 billion people suffer from parasitic infections – that is, more than half of the entire world population. The main contributors to these sad statistics come from countries with hot climates, as well as regions with low levels of hygiene and shortages of drinking water. Residents of these places face dangerous diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis. A disease caused by parasitic worms. Symptoms appear in the tropics and subtropics. In case of complications, they affect the liver, kidneys, bladder fibrosis and infertility. Filariasis. Infection caused by parasites transmitted through tropical insect bites. Leads to the destruction of the lymphatic system. In our country, as in countries with a temperate climate, the problem of parasitic infections is not as acute: here the most common are 18–20 parasitic infections, which are easy to treat and have a favorable prognosis.
Types of parasitic diseases
Diseases caused by protozoan microorganisms are divided into three main categories: infections caused by amoebas, trichomonas and leishmania.
Also, depending on the stage of the disease, acute and chronic parasitic infections are distinguished, as well as by localization - intestinal and extraintestinal, when parasites penetrate and multiply in various tissues and organs: lungs, muscles, liver, kidneys, but not in the intestines.
Let's look at the most common diseases in our country.
Diseases caused by protozoan microorganisms
Giardiasis
The body becomes infected with intestinal lamblia (Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia), which is transmitted through contact with contaminated fruits and vegetables, water or items of daily use. They adhere to the walls of the small intestine, feeding on food debris. Symptoms of giardiasis include abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, nausea, vomiting, general weakness and insomnia.
Amebiasis (amoebic dysentery)
The most common causative agent of this disease is the dysenteric amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Infection occurs via the fecal-oral route. Microorganisms can survive for a long time on various surfaces, in water, vegetables, fruits and meat. Typically, amoebiasis manifests as severe diarrhea (often mixed with blood and mucus), nausea, and low-grade fever. If microorganisms enter the bloodstream and spread to the liver, lungs and brain, this can lead to the formation of a liver abscess (formation of a cavity filled with pus), respiratory failure and symptoms of encephalitis.
Diseases caused by helminths
Enterobiasis
The most common disease that occurs is ascariasis – it is responsible for up to 70% of all cases of parasitic infections. Almost every resident of our country has encountered this at least once in their life. Ascariasis is caused by roundworms - roundworms. Askaris eggs can enter the body through dirty hands; they persist for a long time in food and various objects with which an infected person has come into contact. These parasites cause nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances and the person often feels itchy in the anus.
Ascariasis
Worm infection is caused by roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides). Its larvae enter the body through vegetables and fruits, as well as through interaction with contaminated soil. A person infected with ascoriasis loses his appetite, his stomach hurts, and nausea appears. With a large number of these parasites, problems may arise with the permeability of the intestines or bile ducts, interrupting the digestion process and the outflow of bile.
An adult roundworm can reach a length of 25–30 cm
Toxocariasis
The cause of the disease is the roundworm Toxocara canis, which is transmitted to humans via the fecal-oral route. In most cases, the infection occurs without symptoms, since Toxocara canis larvae do not transform into adults in the human body. However, moving through organs and tissues, they can disrupt their normal functioning. As a result, a person may experience causeless coughing and difficulty breathing if the respiratory system is damaged, neurological disorders if the brain is damaged, allergic reactions and anemia. In extreme cases, the infection can lead to deterioration of vision or complete loss of vision.
Echinococcosis
Echinococcosis is caused by the parasitic worm Echinococcus, which lives in the bodies of some animals and is transmitted from them to humans. Inside the human body, worm larvae form cysts in the liver, kidneys, lungs and even the brain. This can lead to serious complications - anaphylactic shock, increased intracranial pressure, development of abscesses, pathological changes in organs and tissues - and lead to premature death.
Opisthorchiasis
If you eat poorly fried or lightly salted fish from the carp family, you can get opisthorchiasis. These fish are often infested with flatworm larvae of the genus Opisthorchis, which damage the bile ducts of the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Symptoms of the disease include excessive sweating, allergic rashes, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
Fish delicacies can become sources of parasites
Diseases caused by arthropods
Scabies
One of the most common skin diseases is lice, caused by the microscopic mites Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. These mites are transmitted through contact with an infected person, penetrate the skin, migrate and lay eggs, resulting in itching and rashes. Pediculosis can lead to serious complications associated with the appearance of secondary infection.
Scabies
Terrible torment of the skin and hair, an infection that usually arises from lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). This parasite attacks the host by sucking blood. Lice saliva, getting into the wound through the bite, causes extreme itching. Pediculosis leads to the appearance of eczema and conjunctivitis: by scratching the bite points (yes, they can also be in the eyebrow area, in the eyelash line), the person can transfer pathogenic bacteria to the resulting wounds, those that lead to infectious complications . In addition, lice are carriers of an extremely dangerous infection - typhus.
Normal hygiene is not an infallible guarantee against lice infection: they live successfully in both healthy and dirty hair.
Signs of parasitic infestation
Most of the time, parasitic infections, which are very widespread in our country, manifest themselves with minimal symptoms or signs similar to those of intestinal infections and poisoning. A person infected with parasites experiences worsening appetite, abdominal pain, occasional attacks of nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, and general deterioration in health and weakness. An increase in temperature, the appearance of rashes and other allergic reactions, iron deficiency anemia and minor disorders of the nervous system (increased excitability, sleep problems) are also possible.
Parasitic diseases are often confused with poisoning, intestinal infections and acute respiratory viral infections.
Signs often increase or decrease, making diagnosis difficult. In most cases, parasitic infections are discovered accidentally during preventive examinations or during the diagnosis of other diseases.
Complications due to parasites
Typically, parasitic infections common in our country rarely lead to serious complications. However, with a significant number of parasites in the body, over time, a person's health status can seriously deteriorate.
The most common complications of parasitic infections:
- obstruction in the intestines and bile ducts,
- abscesses of internal organs,
- sepsis,
- peritonitis,
- intestinal inflammation,
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract,
- anaphylactic shock.
Parasitic diseases in children
70–90% of cases of parasitic infections affect children and adolescents. This is because children tend to be less hygienic and more active in exploring the world around them. Children are often diagnosed with polyinfestations, when the child is infected with several types of parasites, for example enterobiasis in combination with ascariasis or giardiasis. If a child is infected with one type of worm or protozoan, their immunity is weakened, making them more vulnerable to other types of parasites and infections.
Parasitic infections cause serious harm to the child's body: its protective functions are disturbed, the child does not feel well, his mood often changes, and his academic performance decreases. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out regular parasite tests to prevent the most common infections.
Which specialist treats parasitic diseases?
Signs of parasitic infections can be confused with symptoms of a cold, allergy or intestinal infection. If you suspect the presence of parasites, it is important to contact your general practitioner, who will be able to assess your symptoms, order the necessary tests and, if necessary, refer you to a parasitologist or infectious disease specialist.
It is especially important that children are regularly tested for parasitic diseases to avoid possible complications.
If parasites have been present in the body for a long time and seriously affect health, consultation with specialists from other areas of medicine may be necessary. For example, with echinococcosis, it is often necessary to consult a surgeon to remove cysts formed by helminths through surgery.
Carrying out laboratory tests to diagnose parasitic diseases
Most parasitic infections can be successfully detected through testing. By studying the composition of the blood, it is possible to identify the presence of antibodies that the body produces in response to the invasion of foreign parasites. Examination of feces and smears helps detect parasite eggs and larvae.
However, it must be taken into account that parasites have their own development cycle (from egg to adult) and, in the early stages of infection, tests may not detect the presence of parasites. To ensure reliable results, it is recommended that some tests be performed twice, 7 to 10 days apart.
Treatment methods for parasitic diseases
When the diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor, he or she prescribes antiparasitic medications, which are usually taken over several days to several weeks. Symptomatic treatment may also be prescribed - antipyretics for fever, medicines for diarrhea and pads for gastrointestinal disorders, immunomodulators to maintain immunity.
After completing the treatment, it is recommended to undergo exams again to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and complete recovery.
Measures to prevent parasitic diseases
The main reason parasites enter the human body are dirty hands, contaminated water and food. To prevent the development of infections, it is important to follow hygiene rules: regularly wash your hands, do wet cleaning in the house, handle fruits and vegetables with care and wear protective gloves when working in the garden. Meat and fish must be boiled, fried or baked until cooked. Undercooked dishes, raw, smoked or lightly salted delicacies can become a source of parasites.
To prevent parasitic infections, it is important to adhere to good hygiene
All people, especially children and adolescents, should be tested regularly for the most common parasitic diseases to help detect possible illnesses early.
Before traveling to tropical countries, you should consult a doctor and learn about measures to prevent exotic parasitic infections, which are rarely found in our country. Treatment of these infections is often more difficult, complications develop more frequently, and diagnosis is difficult due to doctors' lack of experience.
Home Methods to Get Rid of Parasites
Parasites, these unwanted guests in our body, can cause many unpleasant diseases. They can cause allergic reactions, disrupt digestion and even affect mental state. Fortunately, there are effective ways to control pests in your home.
One of the most popular methods to get rid of parasites is to use natural products like garlic, ginger and nuts. Garlic, due to its antiparasitic properties, can help fight parasites and strengthen the immune system. |
Additionally, you can resort to the use of herbal decoctions and infusions. Plants such as tansy, yarrow and cloves are known for their antiparasitic properties and can help cleanse the body of parasites. |
Don't forget about proper hygiene. Regularly washing your hands before eating, peeling vegetables and fruits before eating, and handling meat before cooking are basic precautions to help avoid parasite infestation. |
Parasites as a cause of allergic reactions
When exposed to parasites, the human body may begin to develop allergic reactions to these pathogens.
Parasites can cause allergies in travelers to regions with an increased risk of helminth infection.
Protection against parasites while traveling is an important aspect of health, since the possibility of infection can lead not only to a deterioration in general health, but also to the development of allergic reactions.
Protection against parasites while traveling
When we travel, especially to hot countries, it is important to remember the possible danger that parasites can pose. The presence of parasites can negatively affect our health and cause various problems. Therefore, it is necessary to take protective measures against them.
There are many ways to protect yourself from parasites while traveling. One of the main ones is to monitor the quality of drinking water and food, since parasitic infections are most often transmitted through them. It is also worth considering the location of the hotel and taking measures to prevent insects and ticks.
When traveling to exotic countries, it is always necessary to consult a doctor and take prophylaxis against malaria, as mosquitoes can carry this dangerous disease. It is also recommended to use insect repellents and disinfect personal hygiene items.
Harm of parasites to women's health
Parasites can seriously harm a woman's health, causing various problems and complications.
Parasites can cause digestive disorders, allergic reactions, chronic fatigue, malaise and other unpleasant consequences for the female body.
The fight against parasites in women requires special attention and an integrated approach to avoid serious health consequences.
Question and answer:
What parasitic infections can occur in humans?
To date, more than 300 parasitic infections are known, caused by unicellular organisms, helminth worms, arthropods and other parasites.
How do parasites enter the human body?
Parasites can enter the human body through contaminated drinking water, food, insect bites, contact with infected animals or other people.
What symptoms can occur with a parasitic infection?
Symptoms of parasitic infections may include gastrointestinal discomfort, weakness, fatigue, weight changes, allergic reactions, itching and skin irritation.
What precautions can you take to avoid parasitic infections?
To prevent parasitic infections, it is necessary to maintain hand hygiene, avoid eating raw or undercooked food, carefully monitor the purity of water and take protective measures against insects.
How are parasitic infections treated?
Treatment of parasitic infections depends on the type of parasite and may include the use of antiparasitic medications, antibiotics, symptomatic therapy and other methods prescribed by a doctor.
What types of parasitic infections can enter the human body?
Today, more than 300 types of parasitic infections are known, caused by unicellular organisms, helminth worms, arthropods and other parasites.
In which organs and tissues of the human body can parasites live?
Parasites can live in the intestines, liver, lungs, blood and other organs and tissues of the human body, using them as a source of nutrition and resources for their survival.