Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem incoherent and inexplicable, and while the thought of being intimidating, they are more common than many believe. There are many organisms in the world - different types of worms, protozoa, which parasitize almost all internal organs of a person and can cause symptoms of various diseases. This article will tell you what tests to do for parasites and when to do them.
When do I have to be tested?
Most often, infection with parasitic diseases occurs when eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits, poorly processed meat, fish, raw water, as well as through contact with the household when using ordinary utensils and toys in children.
There are the following types of parasites:
- Protozoa (lamblia, amoeba, malaria plasmodium).
- Parasitic arthropods (Demodex mite, the causative agent of scabies).
- Parasitic worms (helminths).
The most common parasitic diseases are caused by worms (worms) and appear in young children, animal owners, and socially disadvantaged people.
The main characteristic of parasites is their inconspicuous existence at the initial stage. Long after infection, they do not manifest themselves in any way and cause pronounced symptoms even in advanced stages.
You can recognize the presence of parasites in the body by the following manifestations:
- Flatulence, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, bowel.
- Decreased or increased appetite, discomfort after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itching of the skin, incomprehensible rashes, dermatitis, urticaria.
- Paleness of the skin, increased tiredness, or diagnosed anemia (mostly iron deficiency).
- Overwork, sleep disorders (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Grinding teeth in sleep, persistent cough.
If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a general practitioner and get checked for parasites.
What tests to pass parasites on
There are many studies to identify the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common diseases are helminthiasis, a stool test is the best way to get tested for parasites.
To conduct a standard study, the patient must collect three separate stool samples from different areas of the same serving in a sterile container and deliver the biomaterial to the laboratory as soon as possible. A doctor-laboratory assistant examines the obtained samples under a microscope and can identify both live parasites and an egg.
A standard study of feces for eggs from worms is not always informative. Due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of parasites, in the test sample, instead of eggs or adults, there may be dead helminths or their fragments, which cannot be used to diagnose the disease.
More informative is the advanced stool analysis that uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology enables the DNA of the helminth to be detected, even if it is dead, is in hibernation or only fragments of the organism have entered the examined material.
In order to tell exactly whether there are parasites in the body or not, the test must be carried out at least three times on different days. The accuracy of a single study is 50% according to statistical data, while in a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another, no less important analysis is serological reactions - the determination of the level of antibodies against the parasite. They can identify acute (IgM) and chronic or postponed helminthic invasion (IgG). You can also determine the infection with parasites that cannot be found in the feces.
Some helminths parasitize the biliary tract and can also form cysts in the lungs, liver, and brain. They can be suspected by the corresponding clinical symptoms and detected by serological tests, X-rays, CT or MRI and by biopsy.
To diagnose parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, certain types of helminths), scratching and biopsy of the skin, specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used.
What tests should an adult do for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis because they follow the rules of personal hygiene more closely, eat unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden less often, and have less contact with stray animals during play.
For all unspecific complaints (stomach and intestinal upset, persistent itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia), tests for helminthiasis in adults must be carried out on all patients before admission and also regularly as part of a preventive study for certainCategories of workers.
This includes employees in the food industry, people who work with children (carers and nannies in kindergartens, teachers, heads of sports departments). These people should definitely be tested for enterobiasis and ascariasis.
Hunters and farmers should be checked regularly for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis. It is important for fishermen to undergo a serological test to determine if opisthorchiasis is present. Contact a therapist for more information about which tests should be done in this or that case.
What tests to pass parasites on to a child
Every child should undergo a full diagnosis to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before attending kindergarten and elementary school (on admission, after a long break or illness). In preschool institutions and schools there are also mandatory regular preventive examinations to detect helminth infestation at an early stage and to prevent it from spreading.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should do a general fecal analysis and scrape off the perianal folds.
Scraping is considered the most effective and accurate way to diagnose enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms). Meanwhile, before going to the toilet and toilet of the perineum, a special cotton swab, spatula or small piece of transparent tape is removed from the perianal folds, which is then placed on a slide and examined under a microscope. If a disease is present, the laboratory assistant will find pinworm eggs in the test material.
Treatment of parasitic diseases in difficult cases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician - a specialist in infectious diseases. For skin lesions (some helminths, scabies or demodicosis), therapy is selected by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay contacting a specialist if you suspect a parasitic disease, as delaying treatment can lead to complications for the patient and also increase the risk of passing the disease on to others.