The symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem inconsistent and inexplicable, and although the thought is frightening, they are more common than many believe. There are many organisms in the world - different types of worms, protozoa, which can parasitize almost all internal organs of man and cause symptoms of various diseases. What tests to take for parasites and when to do it, you can find out from this article.
When should I get tested?
Infection with parasitic diseases most often occurs when eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits, poorly processed meat, fish, raw water, as well as through household contact when using common utensils, toys for children.
There are the following types of parasites:
- Protozoa (lamblia, amoeba, Plasmodium falciparum).
- Parasitic arthropods (demodex mites, scabies cause).
- Parasitic worms (helminths).
The most common parasitic diseases are caused by helminths (worms) and occur among young children, pet owners and disadvantaged people.
The main characteristic of parasites is their imperceptible existence in the initial stages. For a long time after the infection, they do not appear in any way and cause severe symptoms at an advanced stage.
You can recognize the presence of parasites in the body by the following manifestations:
- Swelling of the abdomen, gas, constipation, diarrhea, pain in the stomach, intestines.
- Decreased or increased appetite, discomfort after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itchy skin, incomprehensible rash, dermatitis, urticaria.
- Pale skin, increased fatigue or diagnosed anemia (most often iron deficiency).
- Excessive work, sleep disorders (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Gritting teeth during sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms occur, you should consult a general practitioner and be tested for parasites.
What tests to transmit to parasites
There are many studies to identify the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common diseases are helminthiasis, the best way to get tested for parasites is to do a stool test.
To perform a standard study, the patient will need to collect three separate stool samples from different areas of the same part in a sterile container and deliver the biomaterial to the laboratory as soon as possible. A laboratory doctor examines the samples obtained under a microscope and can identify both live parasites and an ovum.
The standard stool test for worm eggs is not always informative. Due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of the parasites, in the test sample, instead of eggs or an adult, there may be dead helminths or their fragments, which cannot be used to diagnose the disease.
More informative is the expanded stool analysis, which uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology makes it possible to detect the helminth's DNA, even if it is dead, in hibernation or only fragments of the organism have entered the test material.
To tell exactly whether there are parasites in the body or not, the test must be performed at least three times on different days. The accuracy of one study, according to statistics, is 50%, while in a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another, no less important analysis is the serological reactions - determining the level of antibodies to the parasite. They can identify acute (IgM) and chronic or delayed helminthic invasion (IgG). They can also detect infection with parasites that cannot be found in the feces.
Some helminths parasitize the bile ducts and can also form cysts in the lungs, liver and brain. They can be suspected by the relevant clinical symptoms and can be detected by serological tests, X-rays, CT or MRI, as well as by biopsy.
Specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used to diagnose parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, some types of helminths), scraping and skin biopsy.
What tests should an adult take for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis because they follow personal hygiene rules more closely, eat unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden less often, and also have less contact with stray animals during games.
It is necessary to test for helminthiasis in adults in the presence of certain non-specific complaints (upset stomach and intestines, prolonged itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia) for all patients before admission to the hospital, and also regularly as part ofpreventive survey for certain categories of workers.
These include employees in the food industry, persons working with children (caregivers and babysitters in kindergartens, teachers, heads of sports sections). These people should definitely be tested for enterobiosis and ascariasis.
Hunters and farmers should be checked regularly for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis; it is important for fishermen to undergo a serological examination to detect opisthorchiasis. More information on which tests should be taken in this or that case can be obtained from a therapist.
What tests to pass on parasites to a child
Every child should undergo a complete diagnosis to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before attending kindergarten and primary school (on admission, after a long break or illness). Also in preschool institutions and schools there are mandatory regular preventive examinations to detect helminth infestations in the early stages and prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should take a general stool analysis as well as a scraping of the perianal folds.
Scraping is recognized as the most effective and accurate method for diagnosing enterobiosis (a disease caused by pinworms). During it, before going to the toilet and the toilet of the perineum, from the perianal folds is taken a special cotton swab, spatula or a small piece of transparent tape, which is then applied to a glass slide and examined under a microscope. In the presence of disease, the laboratory assistant will find eggs from spikes in the test material.
The treatment of parasitic diseases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician, in difficult cases - by an infectious disease specialist. In skin lesions (some helminths, with scabies or demodicosis), the therapy is chosen by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay contact with a specialist if you suspect a parasitic disease, as delaying treatment can lead to complications in the patient himself and also increases the risk of transmitting the disease to others.