Parasites in the human body lead to the development of serious diseases.Their harmful effects significantly affect life expectancy.
According to research, almost all people are carriers of some parasites (from the smallest ones, visible only under a microscope, to 10-meter tapeworms).Unfortunately, parasites don't just live in the intestines.Their habitat includes: the intestinal tract, muscle tissue, heart, blood and even the brain, as well as other vital human organs.
No one, not even a person in the world is immune from parasites entering his body.Furthermore, it does not matter the person's age (whether he is a child or an adult) and status (rich, poor, famous, unknown, etc.).
Types of parasites
For example, there are parasites such as hookworms.During their life cycle they will certainly visit almost all organs of our body.Why is this so?Because hookworm larvae, when they enter the soil from feces, remain viable for several weeks.And, if during this time they manage to enter the human skin, they will gnaw it and, thus, enter the blood vessels.And with the blood flow they will be transferred to the lungs.Once these larvae are in the alveolar capillaries, they enter the alveoli of the lungs to ascend into the airways.They will then enter the pharynx and be swallowed.At the same time, throughout their entire journey, they literally gnaw their way.To gnaw at our lungs, intestines and blood vessels, nature has endowed them with four protruding hook-shaped teeth.Once it has entered the intestine, the hookworm, feeding on blood, can remain there for up to 14 years, thanks to gnawing at the intestinal mucosa.According to research, today more than 650 million people worldwide are affected by hookworm.
Another parasite, alveococcus (a class of helminths), creates specific formations in the body - Finns.This is a capsule made up of a collection of small bubbles, called alveococcus finna.In this case the bubbles do not contain liquid.They grow into human tissue through external budding and are similar to a malignant tumor.This disease presents itself as a malignant formation. Alveococcosis is rare, but primarily affects the liver and brain.The nodes of the alveococcus reach 15 cm in diameter.This type of helminthiasis is difficult to diagnose.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 in the "master's house" as long as possible, they resort to using sharp hooks, clothespins, plates - chitin teeth (the density resembles a nail) or hard hairs (whipworms).These unique devices constantly injure the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, load the liver with waste, take away food from a person, which reduces immunity, inhibiting beneficial microorganisms.The vital activity of bacteria that synthesize B vitamins, as well as lactic acid bacteria and interferon-donating bacteria, is inhibited.And all this is intestinal immunity, that is, almost half of all human immune mechanisms.
Thanks to our unique camouflage, we can go unnoticed by two or more types of pests at the same time.In the liver - lamblia, in the intestine - roundworms.Indeed, a huge 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 parasitic infection, they may not appear at all.Despite the invasion, a person can feel completely healthy if he has good immunity.He will be really healthy for some strictly individual time.Later, as the immune system declines (due to stress, illness, surgery), the parasite will start sending weak signals anyway.They are characterized by pimples on the skin, foul-smelling urine, persistent cough with clear lungs, loose stools with a strong odor or constipation, gas formation and bad breath.The most obvious manifestation is considered to be nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism).Symptoms may include drooling, perverted appetite (nocturnal or insatiable hunger), food cravings (sour and sweet foods), and belching air.Sometimes you can meet people with increased appetite, while losing weight.Unfortunately, the number of possible symptoms is almost endless.Parasites are so "cunning" that they mask their presence with the symptoms of the most common diseases.
Parasites that can be obtained from pets
Pets can give us not only their love and affection, but also other, much less pleasant “gifts”.In order for doctors not to study practical parasitology on our body, it is necessary to know what exactly threatens us and how to deal with it.
Ascariasis
Who broadcasts?Pig, cat, dog, human.With feces, the pathogen enters the soil and from it to humans through unwashed hands and vegetables.There are also frequent cases of ascariasis transmission through strawberries, which are eaten unwashed at the market.Ascaris lives in the small intestine of a person for up to 2 years, eating useful substances and poisoning him with the products of his vital activity.Ascaris eggs live in the soil for up to 10 years.
Symptoms: weakness, allergies, skin rashes, poor appetite, weight loss, nervousness, 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 as a prevention against nematodes: a handful a day.If you suspect ascariasis, have your stool tested at the clinic.This disease is treated with antiparasitic tablets.
Giardiasis
Who broadcasts?The natural carrier of Giardia is the cat.It can also be contaminated soil or water in a well.It can be transmitted by humans through dirty hands.It happens often 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, poor appetite.
What to do: Bring the stool to the clinic.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe pills.Don't try to chase away Giardia with "vormil" - it has no effect on them.The cat must also be treated: buy Drontal or Droncid at a veterinary pharmacy, administer according to weight, according to the instructions, once every 3 months.
Toxocariasis
Who transmits: a dog, occasionally a cat.It is a canine nematode that does not take root in the human intestine, but penetrates the blood, feeds on its proteins and releases toxins there.It often affects children.
Symptoms: the same as other parasites, but nothing is found in the feces;blood must be tested.Sometimes toxocara enters the eyes through the bloodstream and a person can become blind.An ophthalmologist can see the pathogen in the fundus.
What to do: If you have any suspicions, go to the clinic for examination.Toxocariasis is easy to treat, it is simply difficult to find and suspect.
Toxoplasmosis
Who transmits: cat.The pathogen lives in the blood.
Symptoms: sometimes - slight fever, weakness, enlarged liver, fatigue, muscle pain, headache.Often there are no symptoms, only the weakest organ suffers.You will not even suspect anything about the cat's behavior, but you can take the cat's feces for analysis to a veterinary hospital.
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 lodges under the skin or in the eyes.There was a case where a 23-centimeter heartworm was pulled out of a woman's eye.No more than 3 heartworms can live in one person at the same time.
Symptoms: migrating subcutaneous tumor, sensation of movement inside it.
What to do: go to the clinic in the infectious diseases department or to a surgeon to have it removed.Observe the dog: if he walks weakly, sleepily or drags his legs, this is already a reason for suspicion.60-80% of stray dogs have heartworm larvae.Usually these sick animals are not treated, since two out of three dogs die due to toxic drugs and those that survive are not completely recovered.Prevention method: mosquito 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 hot milk into a thermos overnight.In the morning you can already drink half a glass before meals three times a day for 10 days.The recipe is suitable for pregnant women for whom antiparasitic tablets are contraindicated.Garlic has no effect on dog roundworms because it lives in the blood and not in the digestive tract.
Self defense
- Before eating, wash your hands with soap, lathering them twice.
- Vegetables and strawberries should be washed under cold running water, peeled, placed in 1-2 layers in a colander, poured over with boiling water and immediately rinsed with cold water to avoid the destruction of vitamin C.
- Periodically treat pets for parasites.Wash your hands afterwards.
- If you have a pet at home, check occasionally for parasites and monitor your children, especially if you have recently felt weak, allergic or have a lack of appetite.
Well, if you still get sick, contact a professional doctor as soon as possible.An experienced specialist will prescribe a course of treatment that will help you recover as soon as possible.