The symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem incoherent and unexplained, 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 that can parasitize almost all the internal organs of a person and cause symptoms of various diseases. What tests should you do for parasites and when to do it, you can find out from this article.
When should I be tested?
Most often, infection with parasitic diseases occurs when you eat poorly washed vegetables and fruits, poorly processed meat, fish, raw water, as well as through home contact when using ordinary utensils, toys in children.
There are the following types of parasites:
- Protozoa (lamblia, amoeba, plasmodium and malaria).
- Parasitic arthropods (demodex mites, the causative agent of scabies).
- Parasitic worms (helminths).
The most common parasitic diseases are caused by helminths (worms) and occur among young children, pet owners and people in social need.
The main characteristic of parasites is their meaningless existence in the initial stages. For a long time after infection, they do not manifest in any way and cause symptoms already pronounced in advanced stages.
You can recognize the presence of parasites in the body by the following manifestations:
- Flatulence, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, bowel movements.
- Decreased or increased appetite, discomfort after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itchy skin, incomprehensible redness, dermatitis, urticaria.
- Skin paleness, increased fatigue or diagnosed anemia (most often iron deficiency).
- Excessive work, sleep disturbances (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Grinding teeth in sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms occur, you should consult a general practitioner and be tested for parasites.
What tests to pass on parasites
There are many studies to identify the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common diseases are helminthiases, 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 assistant examines the samples taken under a microscope and can identify both live parasites and an egg.
A standard fecal study for worm eggs is not always informative. Due to the life cycle features of the parasites, in the test sample, instead of eggs or an adult, there may be dead helminths or fragments thereof, which cannot be used to diagnose the disease.
Most informative is the extended stool analysis, which uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology allows the detection of helminth DNA even if it is dead, dormant, or only fragments of the organism have entered the material under study.
In order to accurately say whether there are parasites in the body or not, the test should be performed at least three times on different days. The accuracy of a single study, according to statistical data, is 50%, while with a triple study, it increases to 99%.
Another, no less important analysis is serological reactions - determination of the level of antibodies to the parasite. They can identify acute helminthic invasion (IgM) and chronic or delayed (IgG). They can also detect parasitic infection 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 of relevant clinical symptoms and detected using serological tests, X-rays, CT or MRI, as well as by biopsy.
For the diagnosis of parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, certain types of helminths), itching and skin biopsy, specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used.
What tests should an adult take for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis, as they follow the rules of personal hygiene more closely, eat less unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden, and also have less contact with street animals during games.
It is necessary to take tests for helminthiases for adults in the presence of certain nonspecific complaints (upset stomach and intestines, prolonged itching of the skin, redness, weakness, fatigue, anemia), for all patients before admission to the hospital, andalso regularly as part of a preventive study for certain categories of workers.
These include food industry workers, people working with children (caregivers and nannies in kindergartens, teachers, sports section managers). 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 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 should a child pass on parasites?
Each child should undergo a thorough diagnosis in order to identify the worms and prescribe effective therapies against them before attending kindergarten and elementary school (upon admission, after a long break or illness). Also, in preschools and schools, there are regular mandatory preventive examinations to detect helminthic infections in the early stages and to prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should get a general stool analysis as well as scratches from perianal folds.
Scraping is known as the most effective and accurate method for diagnosing enterobiasis (a disease caused by tapeworms). During it, before going to the toilet and the perineum toilet, a special piece of cotton, a spatula or a small piece of transparent tape is taken from the perianal folds, which is then applied to a glass slide and examined under a microscope. In the presence of a disease, the laboratory assistant will find worm eggs in the test material.
Treatment for parasitic diseases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician, in severe cases - by a specialist in infectious diseases. With skin lesions (some helminths, scabies or demodicosis), therapy is chosen by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay contacting a specialist if you suspect a parasitic disease, as a delay in treatment can lead to complications in the patient himself, and also increases the risk of transmitting the disease to others.