Review of human parasitic diseases

Parasites are microorganisms that invade the human body, affecting internal organs and systems and causing various clinical manifestations.Parasitic diseases are not the only diseases.The phrase implies a separate group of pathologies caused by unicellular and multicellular pathogenic microorganisms.Unpleasant "neighbors" may be temporary or permanent.The life cycle of worms has certain characteristics; in some cases, three host changes are required in order to form a complete individual.

Symptoms and pathogens of parasitic diseases

The main causative agents of parasitic diseases include helminths, causing helminthiasis infections.Depending on the type of worm, helminthiasis is divided into the following categories:

• fluke.This group of diseases involves fluke infections.For example, damage to internal organs caused by lung fluke, liver fluke, cat fluke, etc.;
• Nematodes are parasitic infections caused by round worms.The source of infection is the patient.Pathogens include roundworms, pinworms, Toxocara, Trichinella spiralis, and whipworms;
• Tapeworm parasites cause tapeworm disease.Of these, the most common helminths include bovine and pork tapeworms, dwarf tapeworms, broad tapeworms, Aspermococcus and Echinococcus.

In addition to helminthiasis, parasitic diseases can also be protozoal infections - Giardia, the causative agents of malaria, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas.There are also external parasites - including lice (body, head and pubic lice), bed bugs and ticks.Skin diseases occur due to the parasitic activity of certain insects.

For your information, the clinical picture in the context of parasitic infections is often vague - in most cases there are no symptoms, or they appear severe and violent, indicating severe intoxication.

Human parasitic diseases have the following symptoms:

1. Allergy symptoms are caused by parasites multiplying in large numbers in the body, and their metabolites and toxic substances enter the human circulation system, causing poisoning.Symptoms: Skin erythema, urticaria, itching, rash, lichen-type plaques, etc.
2. Increased body temperature.A febrile state is observed in some patients with severe helminth infections.Usually the body temperature varies between 38 and 40 degrees, sometimes remaining in the subfebrile range for long periods of time.An increase in body temperature indicates that the disease has entered the acute phase.

3. Lymphadenitis is a common symptom of human parasitic diseases.This condition manifests as swollen lymph nodes and inflammation.They may be inflamed all at once or all at once.In addition, patients may experience headaches, decreased appetite, and general malaise.In most cases, the lymph nodes closest to the site of invasion become inflamed.
4. Muscle and joint pain is a reflection of the body's immune response.The immune system sees the worm larvae as foreign bodies and attacks them.Muscle and joint pain due to tissue damage caused by the worm's suckers.
5. Pulmonary syndrome presents with a dry cough.The patient complained of shortness of breath and chest pain due to lack of physical activity.Ascariasis is often accompanied by phlegm mixed with blood.
6. Swelling can be localized or spread throughout the body.Angioedema is particularly dangerous.Without medical care, the likelihood of death is high.
7. Abdominal syndrome is often seen when infected with worms.This symptom means alternating constipation and diarrhea, increased gas formation, bloating, and disruption of the digestive tract.
8. There are various types of pain in the abdomen.Some patients complain of constant pain, others complain of intermittent pain.For some, the pain is noticeable and sharp, while others describe it as a dull ache syndrome.
9. In the chronic course of helminthiasis, intoxication occurs, accompanied by severe weakness, a significant deterioration in general health, frequent respiratory tract and colds, and dramatic weight loss.

The clinical manifestations of parasitic diseases are always variable.Symptoms depend on the location of the worm, the specific type of pathogen and the age of the patient.There are also aspects such as the status of the immune system and the degree of dysfunction of internal organs.

List of parasitic diseases

Parasitic diseases are divided into protozoal diseases - malaria, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis, amebiasis, parasitic diseases - the most common; used for helminthiasis, mite diseases (scabies) and skin diseases.In medical practice, helminth infections are most commonly encountered.

Parasitic infection:

• African trypanosomiasis.Infection occurs due to the invasion of Trypanosoma brucei bacteria.Transmission: Tsetse fly bites.The main clinical manifestations are fever, headache, and myalgia;
• Amebiasis occurs when parasites invade the body through food and water.Pathogen: Amoeba or dysentery;
• Ascariasis.Parasites - roundworms.The infection is caused by eating contaminated food;
• Babesiosis is caused by worms that live in the blood.Infection occurs due to a tick bite;
• Chagas disease (transmitted through the bite of a blood-sucking insect);
• Trichinellosis is an acute or chronic parasitic disease caused by nematodes;
• Teniarinhoz is a parasite of the cattle tapeworm.Invasive parasites primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract.Symptoms: severe abdominal pain, allergic reaction, headache, general malaise.The incubation period ranges from 2 to several years;
• Taeniasis.The pathogen is pork tapeworm.Parasitic infection can cause many complications and even irreversible brain damage due to the spread of parasite segments.
• Opisthorchiasis (worm - cat fluke).The worm "lives" in the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder.Infection due to eating raw or undercooked fish;
• Clonorchiasis.The reason lies in the reappearance of China's luck in the body.In addition to humans, worms can also affect cats, dogs, and pigs.
• Pinworm disease.The pathogen is pinworms.Parasitic diseases are usually diagnosed in childhood.Treatment has its difficulties, as 99% develop secondary autoinfection.

It is worth knowing about: Conditions caused by external parasites - pediculosis, scabies, ringworm, demodicosis, etc.

In fact, the list of parasitic diseases can go on for a long time because there are many parasites that can infect the human body.Take the most common diseases as an example.

Why are parasites dangerous?

In most clinical pictures, residents of large cities are infected with common worms, round and band parasites.Pathogenic microorganisms cause reduced immunity and absorb nutrients from the host.But "banal" roundworms and pinworms are not as scary as they first appear.

People living in tropical countries, as well as tourists on vacation in South America, Australia or Africa, face truly "scary" worms.

The most dangerous parasites:

1. Heartworms can cause blockage of blood vessels, resulting in impaired motor coordination and possible internal organ failure.
2. Schistosoma is a special type of worm that lives in human blood.Leading to severe impairment of liver, gastrointestinal tract and bladder function.

These parasites are present in countries with tropical climates; in our reality pathological diagnosis is relatively rare.More than 200 species of parasites are known to science to cause the development of acute and chronic conditions:

• Chronic giardiasis can cause liver damage and progress to cirrhosis;
• Trichomonas can cause cancer, myocardial infarction, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis;
• Long-term parasitic tapeworms can significantly worsen gastrointestinal conditions and affect the lungs;
• Trichinella spiralis.The growth of the parasite can cause severe pain and convulsions;
• Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy can disrupt the child's intrauterine development to the point of mental retardation.

IMPORTANT: Anyone without exception can be infected; thousands of worm larvae lurk around everyone: water, soil, leaves, public transport, clinics, shops, food, etc.Therefore, it is necessary to observe all hygiene measures and teach children as early as possible the importance of observing basic hygiene rules.

Parasitic larvae invade the body unnoticed.In the early stages of infection, there are no symptoms; when the disease becomes chronic, symptoms become more obvious.If characteristic signs are detected, you will need to undergo treatment, otherwise serious complications are likely to occur that you will have to deal with for the rest of your life.