Doctors recommend regular blood tests for parasites, because despite adherence to hygiene rules, it is not always possible to protect yourself from infection. For preventive purposes, this procedure must be performed for children and adults. Helminths can be in the human body for more than a dozen years without showing any symptoms. To detect the presence of parasites, a diagnosis needs to be made.
Path of infection
Worms can enter the body in several ways. Doctors identify four main pathways:
- through soil, and then water (helminths enter the soil along with feces);
- from person to person through relationships;
- through raw, undercooked meat or fish;
- by using insects.
Reproduction of worms in the human body is not included. Each type of helminth has a specific shelf life.
An increase in worms in the body occurs only when they are re-infected. To reduce the risk of infection, people must practice good hygiene.
Symptoms of a worm infection
Common signs of the presence of worms in the human body are expressed in sharp weight loss, pale skin, a person is worried about itching in the anus. But there are other manifestations disguised as other diseases.
- Digestive tract disorders. The person is worried about stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. In the process of vital activity, a number of worms release certain substances that cause diarrhea.
- Disruption of the normal functioning of the nervous system. Helminths release toxins, which can cause intoxication. Instead, this negatively affects the state of the nervous system.
- Allergic reactions. A person infected with worms may have a rash on his or her body.
- Decreases immunity. As a result of poor body defenses, concomitant diseases can develop in humans.
There is an opinion that if a person moves his teeth or snores at night, his body is affected by worms, but this data has not been scientifically confirmed.
If there are one or more of the symptoms listed, it is necessary to diagnose the body for the presence of worms. You need to do a blood test for parasites.
Basic diagnostic methods
There are several main ways to diagnose worms in the human body.
Stool Analysis
Stool analysis is a traditional method of detecting worms. During the study, the doctor found worm eggs. To confirm the diagnosis, you will need to donate feces again. However, the analysis shown is not a reliable diagnostic method, as the worms may not lay eggs for a long time.
Blood test
Blood tests for the presence of parasites are a more reliable method and allow you to detect worms at an early stage. All the processes that take place in the human body are reflected in the blood. This type of diagnosis makes it possible not only to identify the worm, but also to determine its type. If there are worms in the blood, you can find the waste product.
When parasites are found in the body, a large number of eosinophils will be found in the blood. Diagnosis needs to be confirmed with additional research methods. There are many types of blood tests, and they can be called differently.
Eroding enterobiasis
To detect cream worms in the body, the doctor prescribes scraping the patient for enterobiasis. During the procedure, the doctor performs a cotton swab on the skin folds near the anus. The resulting sample is sent to the laboratory for further research. The same procedure is performed with duct tape applied to the folds. Then the tape is placed on top of the glass, glued and removed, and the glass itself is sent to the laboratory.
Immunoassay blood test
Enzyme-related immunosorbent analysis is a specialized study that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of helminths in children and adults. Using this method, it is possible to detect microscopic and large parasites. Analysis for this parasite is based on antibody search.
Blood for enzyme immunoassay is taken from a vein. Then centrifuged and blood serum checked.
ELISA results provide complete information on the presence of helminths in the body and their types.
The enzyme immunoassay consists of two main components:
- immune response;
- enzymatic reaction.
Thanks to the immune response, it is possible to detect the presence of parasites and find out what kind of worms have settled in the body. Enzymatic reactions will enable a more detailed study of the types of helminths identified, and visually measure the data obtained.
In response to the invasion of foreign objects, the body responds by producing antibodies to it.
In the event of damage to the body by worms in the blood, antibodies are produced to toxins and worm waste products. This technique is based on the study of these antibodies.
Blood tests will take 2-4 days. It can be done at any state clinic. It is also possible to undergo a similar study in a private clinic.
What other analysis is available?
In addition to enzyme-related immunosorbent tests, parasites can be determined in other ways.
The following blood tests were used for this study:
- indirect hemaglutination reactions;
- immunofluorescence response.
Both of these methods are also used to determine antibodies in the blood serum.
To make a diagnosis, you need to donate blood from a vein. After that, he was immediately taken to the laboratory. This informative method can show the extent of the worm attack.
How to prepare for the exam
Blood for parasites should be donated in the morning. It is best not to eat anything before the procedure - even if food intake is not significant, it can still affect the final results of the study.
On parasite test day, only water intake is allowed.
To get the most reliable results, in addition to these basic rules, before passing the analysis for ELISA, you need to consider the following recommendations.
- Three days before the analysis, you should stop taking the medication. Let's take only the medicines that are important for the body.
- Prior to the procedure, a person should not experience physical or emotional stress.
- It is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages and strong coffee the day before the procedure.
- If antiparasitic therapy is performed on the night of the test, it is best to postpone the procedure for a while.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures can affect test results, so two procedures should be delayed before the ELISA blood test time.
Properly performed analysis shows absolutely all the parasites found in the human body.
How to protect yourself from worms
Worms usually enter the body through dirty hands, so it is necessary to keep it clean.
Vegetables and fruits purchased from the market must be thoroughly washed. According to studies, worm eggs often accumulate on vegetables and fruits.
Care should be taken when buying meat and fish. It is important to buy only meat that has undergone veterinary control. Meat and fish must be cooked thoroughly.
If there are animals in the house, you should always wash your hands after them. Pets should regularly do prophylaxis against worms.