How to recognize worm infestation

Parasites can be called natural companions of humans, as these organisms cannot live outside the host's body. It is believed that at least 70% of the world's population is infected with various types of worms. In addition, many peopleThere are homes for them from birth. Also, he considers the question of how to determine the presence of parasites in the body, about a third of all infected. This may be due to the low awareness of the population or the state of their health. There is a lack of interest in

To avoid complications caused by parasites, it is important to recognize the infection in time.

According to statistics, more than 60% of people with parasitic infections learn about the problem by chance, and only 30% purposefully look for symptoms of helminthiasis and identify the problem to specialists.

Until recently, helminthiasis was usually called the disease of the poor, since hygienic skills are poorly developed in these layers. However, with increasing interest in the problem from science, it was found that such a definition was fundamentallyFrom is wrong, because insects can be found both among farmers and reputable merchants.

Why is coexistence with parasites dangerous?

What many people don't understand is why they need to be tested for parasites if there is no serious health problem? Why do you need to look for any disruptions in your state if they don't interfere with your normal lifestyle? In addition, 8% of the population has a reasonable question - what if a person has learned to live with parasites in his body? After all, development does not stand still, and what was once considered harmful may already be the norm.

Similar questions have been raised more than once, and any doctor, even the most inexperienced, will say that a parasitic organism differs from a symbiosis (a microorganism that is calmly present in a person, which helps, for example, to process and assimilate food more efficiently) ) It takes more than it gives. In the human body, parasites usually behave like very unreliable and irresponsible hosts:

• prevent it from toxins and slags;
• destruction of natural defenses (immunity);
• take away most of the nutrients;
• Damage to internal organs at the physical level.

This is what is called parasitism, i. e. , survival in the host's body to extract maximum benefit for itself, but without providing benefit to the host.

Timely detection of parasites helps to avoid many problems, including serious endocrine and hormonal disorders, dysfunction of internal organs and even mental disorders.

What are the symptoms associated with parasites

Most of the parasitic life dangerous to humans live in the intestines and internal organs. They rarely go out in their original form, and therefore, during the initial diagnosis, doctors consider only external signs of their stay. Their presence is clinicalcan be determined by a combination of expressions.

In 99% of cases, the host's body reacts violently in a dangerous neighborhood. Signs of worm infestation can be a variety of disorders of body functions, depending on which organ they live in. SinceParasites can be difficult to recognize in their natural form, so it is important to pay attention to the following symptoms:

1. Sudden onset of digestive disorders. Most often, they indicate that the intestinal forms of the worm – round and tapeworms, lamblia and protozoal organisms – have begun to be parasitic. This group of symptoms is characterized by sudden constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, belching, can be expressed by poor digestion. Another sign of intestinal helminthiasis is unexplained abdominal pain, which may not have a clear localization.
2. Allergic reactions in the form of rashes, peeling of the skin, the appearance of spots. In most cases, it is impossible to trace the source of such a reaction, since allergy tests show negative results. And tests for the presence of parasites in the patient's bodyOnly after passing, does it become clear what is causing the abnormal immune response.

3. General deterioration in well-being in the form of a febrile state, fatigue, deterioration of sleep quality. Similar clinical manifestations of helminthiasis appear immediately after the invasion, as well as with its long course. Since it is not possible to identify the parasites immediately, That's why many patients try to cope with these unpleasant phenomena with the help of folk remedies and symptomatic drugs. As a rule, they bring only temporary relief.

A certain set of symptoms inherent in diseases associated with worm infestation can be found only in women. So, their hair and nails become dull and brittle. The skin is also prone to parasites - it turns pale, pimples, ageThe spots appear peeling.

A rare woman associates cosmetic problems with helminths. Most of them say to the last: "I have a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, not worms! "

If you even suspect that there are parasites in the body, how do you know exactly what caused them to appear? There are several methods of self-diagnosis at home, as well as special methods of identifying worms.

How to identify helminthiasis at home

About 70% of patients who believe that they have worms do not want to go to the doctor about this problem. And the point here is not that the person does not care about his health. Until now, people consider helminthiasis to be a shameful disease. However, experts say that the rich enough can find an insidious settler.

Since worms for the most part settle in the intestines, the only way to detect their presence is to examine the stool. This time-tested method formed the basis for microscopic examination of the excrement, during which doctors can detect worm eggs. .

This is the simplest and cheapest method, and can be done at home. However, it will not allow you to detect worm eggs because of their microscopic size.

How does self-testing work?

There are several rules for determining the presence of parasites in the human body in this way:

1. The stool should be examined several times, as the worms do not come out continuously, but periodically. Since different types of worms become active at different times of the day, it is advisable to collect the feces both in the morning and in the evening. In the morning you can find pinworms, and in the evening you often come across larger worms - roundworms and tapeworms.
2. The person who examines the stool for worms should have medical disposable gloves on their hands. Most worms actively secrete eggs, which, if ingested, can provoke re-infection. Protect yourself from this. Important, even if there are already signs of worm infestation. Throw away gloves after using them, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

3. During examination of feces, it is worth using an object, as parasites can be found not only on the surface, but also in the center of the feces. It is advisable to dispose of the stick or spatula after such use.

In conclusion, the most important rule for self-study of feces for worms. It is advisable to collect the material in a separate bowl, since it is unlikely that it is possible to test it with special care in a toilet bowl or vesselAs a last resort, you can cover the toilet bowl with plastic, empty it over it, and then examine the stool carefully.

Experts recommend applying a small portion of the material to the glass, and then examining it from all sides in good light. So even the smallest of parasites can be seen.

Result of self-examination of feces for worms

It is necessary to talk about 100% presence of helminthiasis if it is possible to find in feces:

• live or motionless small insects;
• white or yellowish slices that look like steamed noodles with a slightly wavy edge;
• pieces that look like grains of rice that can move;
• Large round worms of white or pink color.

All of these signs indicate a dangerous worm infestation, which can lead to serious health problems, including sudden death. But even if the stool turns out to be "clear, " and there are symptoms of helminthiasis, you should immediately consult an infectious disease specialist orShould contact a pediatrician (if symptoms of helminthiasis are observed in a child).

Testing for Worms in the Clinic

Since it is very difficult to find out whether you have parasites in your body, and the results of self-diagnosis are not very accurate, you should entrust the diagnosis to professionals. A referral for necessary tests is given by a physician or infectious disease specialist. If the symptoms of aggression bother the child, you can seek the help of a pediatrician.

To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to pass:

• Microscopic analysis of feces (coprovoscopy) - preferably three times with an interval of one week;
• scraping for enterobiasis;
• a blood test for ELISA - a single delivery is enough to make a reliable diagnosis;
• Analysis of feces PCR - determined when obtaining ambiguous results of microscopic examination of feces.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe additional instrumental diagnostics. Mostly this happens when there is a suspicion of the presence of helminths in the liver parenchyma and bile ducts, or other internal organs. In the presence of worms, the tests will be positive (parasite eggs, their DNA, antibodies and antigens will be found in the material).

Based on the results of the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed treatment, which can almost always be carried out at home (many parasitic infections do not require hospitalization). All members of the family of the carrier of worms. may require therapy, as many species of these organisms are easily transmitted from person to person.