Parasites in the human body cause the development of serious diseases.Their harmful effects have a significant impact on life expectancy.
According to research, almost all people are carriers of certain parasites (from the smallest ones visible only under a microscope to 10-meter tapeworms).Unfortunately, parasites do not only live in the intestines.Their habitat includes: the intestinal tract, muscle tissue, heart, blood and even the brain, as well as other vital organs.
No one in the world is immune to the introduction of parasites into the human body.Furthermore, it does not matter a person's age (be it child or adult) and status (rich, poor, famous, unknown, etc.).
Types of parasites
For example, there are parasites such as corn.During the life cycle, they will definitely visit almost all the organs of our body.Why is this so?Because hookworm larvae stay alive for several weeks when they enter the soil through faeces.And if they can get to the human skin during this time, they will bite it and thus enter the blood vessels.And they will be transferred to the lungs by the blood stream.After these larvae are in the alveolar capillaries, they enter the alveoli of the lungs to ascend to the respiratory tract.They will then enter the esophagus and be swallowed.At the same time, they literally bite their way through their entire journey.Nature has given them four protruding hook-like teeth to bite into our lungs, intestines and blood vessels.Once inside the intestines, the hookworm, which feeds on blood, can stay there for up to 14 years thanks to its bite into the intestinal mucosa.According to research, more than 650 million people in the world suffer from corn disease today.
Another parasite alveococcus (a class of helminths) creates specific formations in the body - fins.It is a capsule consisting of a collection of small bubbles called alveococcus finna.In this case, the bubbles do not contain liquid.They grow into human tissue by external budding and resemble a malignant tumor.This disease occurs as a malignant formation. Alveococcosis is rare, but primarily affects the liver and brain.Alveococcus nodules reach 15 cm in diameter.Diagnosis of this type of helminthosis is difficult.Therefore, in most cases, the diagnosis is made at a late stage, when surgical intervention is no longer possible.
All parasites are ruthless and ungrateful.To stay as long as possible in the "master's house", they use sharp hooks, clothespins, plates - teeth made of chitin (its density is similar to nails) or wire bristles (whipworm).These unique devices constantly damage the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, load the liver with waste, take away nutrients from the person, which reduces immunity and inhibits beneficial microorganisms.The vital activity of bacteria synthesizing vitamins of group B, as well as lactic acid bacteria and interferon donor bacteria is inhibited.And all this is intestinal immunity, that is, almost half of the human immune mechanisms.
Thanks to our unique camouflage, we can avoid being noticed by two or more types of parasites at the same time.In the liver - lamblia, in the intestines - roundworms.In fact, a large number of patients with anemia, chronic fatigue, pancreatitis, asthma, allergy, dysbacteriosis, cholelithiasis and others are infected with parasites.
If we talk about the symptoms of parasite infection, they may not appear at all.Despite the infection, a person can feel completely healthy if he has good immunity.He will be really healthy within a strictly individual period of time.Later, as the immune system weakens (due to stress, illness, surgery), the parasite will again start sending weak signals.They are characterized by acne on the skin, foul-smelling urine, persistent cough with clear lungs, loose stools with a strong odor or constipation, gas, and bad breath.Night grinding of teeth (bruxism) is considered the most striking manifestation.Symptoms may include gasping, disturbed appetite (nighttime or ravenous hunger), food cravings (sour and sweet foods), and belching.Sometimes you can meet people who have an increased appetite while losing weight.Unfortunately, the number of possible symptoms is almost endless.Parasites are so "insidious" that they hide their presence with the symptoms of the most common diseases.
Parasites that can be acquired from pets
Pets can give us not only their love and affection, but also other, less pleasant "gifts".In order for doctors not to learn practical parasitology about our bodies, we need to know what threatens us and how to fight it.
ascariasis
Who transmits?Pig, cat, dog, human.With faeces, the pathogen enters the soil, and from it to people through unwashed hands and vegetables.Cases of ascariasis are also often found through unwashed strawberries in the market.Ascaris lives in the small intestine of a person for up to 2 years, eats useful substances and poisons it with the products of its vital activity.Ascaris eggs live in the soil for up to 10 years.
Symptoms: weakness, allergies, rash, poor appetite, weight loss, irritability, poor sleep.With a healthy lifestyle, there may be no symptoms.If the worms have multiplied and entered the respiratory tract, coughing is possible.
What to do: Pumpkin seeds are useful prophylactically against roundworms - a handful a day.If you suspect ascariasis, check your stool at a clinic.This disease is treated with antiparasitic tablets.
Giardiasis
Who transmits?The natural carrier of Giardia is the cat.They may also be contaminated with soil or water from a well.It can be transmitted from people through dirty hands.It often occurs in children.
Symptoms: Giardia settles in the duodenum, blocks the ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas (visible on ultrasound), these organs disturb the patient, food is poorly digested and absorbed, loss of appetite.
What to do: take the stool to the clinic.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe pills.Do not try to expel Giardia with "vormil" - it has no effect on them.The cat should also be treated: buy Drontal or Droncid at the veterinary pharmacy, give once every 3 months according to the weight, according to the instructions.
Toxocarosis
Who transmits: dog, sometimes cat.This is a dog roundworm that does not take root in human intestines, but penetrates into the blood, feeds on its proteins and releases toxins there.It often affects children.
Symptoms: same as other parasites, but nothing found in stool;you need to check the blood.Sometimes toxocara enters the eyes through the bloodstream and can cause blindness.An ophthalmologist can see the pathogen in the fundus.
What to do: if you have any doubts, go to the clinic for an examination.Toxocarosis is easy to treat, difficult to find and suspect.
Toxoplasmosis
Who transmits: cat.The pathogen lives in the blood.
Symptoms: sometimes - mild fever, weakness, enlarged liver, fatigue, muscle pain, headache.Often there are no symptoms, only the weakest organ suffers.You will also not suspect anything about the cat's behavior, but you can take the cat's feces to the veterinary hospital for analysis.
What to do: go to the clinic.
Dirofilariasis
Who transmits: dogs, mosquitoes.After biting a sick dog, the mosquito bites a person and transmits the pathogen.The larva grows, travels throughout the body and settles under the skin or in the eye.A 23-centimeter-long heartworm was removed from a woman's eye.A person cannot have more than 3 heartworms at the same time.
Symptoms: migrating subcutaneous tumor, sensation of movement in it.
What to do: go to a clinic or surgeon in the department of infectious diseases to remove it.Look at the dog: if it walks weakly, sleepily or drags its legs, this is already a reason for suspicion.60-80% of stray dogs have heartworm larvae.Treatment for such sick animals is usually not carried out, because two out of three dogs die from the toxic drugs, and those who survive do not fully recover.Prevention method: window nets and mosquito repellents.
Against roundworms and giardia, take a small head of garlic or 2 large cloves, chop it, pour half a liter of boiling milk in a thermos overnight.You can drink half a glass in the morning before meals three times a day for 10 days.The recipe is suitable for pregnant women for whom antiparasitic tablets are contraindicated.Since garlic lives in the blood and not the digestive system, it has no effect on dog roundworms.
Self defense
- Wash your hands twice with soap before eating.
- Vegetables and strawberries should be washed under running cold water, peeled, placed in a 1-2 layer colander, boiling water should be poured over them and immediately washed with cold water so as not to destroy vitamin C.
- Treat pets periodically against parasites.Wash your hands afterwards.
- If you have pets at home, check yourself for parasites occasionally and check your children, especially if you've been feeling weak, allergic, or lacking in appetite lately.
Well, if you still get sick, contact a specialist as soon as possible.An experienced specialist will prescribe a course of treatment that will help you recover as quickly as possible.