Doctors regularly recommend a blood test for parasites, because even with the observance of hygienic rules, it is not always possible to protect yourself from infection with them. For preventive purposes, this procedure should be done for both 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, it is necessary to make a diagnosis.
Infection routes
Worms can enter the body in several ways. Doctors identify four main pathways:
- through the soil, and then water (helminths enter the soil along with feces);
- person to person contact;
- through raw, poorly cooked meat or fish;
- by insects.
Reproduction of worms in the human body is excluded. Each type of helminth has a certain lifespan.
An increase in worms in the body occurs only when they are infected again. To reduce the risk of infection, people should practice good hygiene.
Symptoms of worm infection
The general signs of the presence of worms in the human body are expressed in a sharp weight loss, pale skin, a person worries about itching in the anus. But there are other manifestations that are disguised as other diseases.
- Digestive tract disorders. The person worries about stomach aches, nausea, vomiting. In the process of vital activity, some worms secrete specific substances that cause diarrhea.
- Disruption of the normal functioning of the nervous system. Helminths release toxins, which can cause intoxication of the body. On the other hand, it negatively affects the state of the nervous system.
- Allergic reaction. A person infected with worms may have redness of the body.
- Decreased immunity. As a result of poor body defenses, concomitant diseases can develop in humans.
There is an opinion that if a person grinds his teeth or snores at night, his body is affected by helminths, but these data have not been scientifically confirmed.
In the presence of one or more of the listed symptoms, it is necessary to diagnose the body for the presence of worms. You will need to have a blood test for parasites.
Basic diagnostic methods
There are several main ways to diagnose helminths in the human body.
Stool analysis
Stool analysis is the traditional method for detecting worms. During the study, doctors find the 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
A blood test for the presence of parasites is a more reliable method and allows 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. In the presence of worms in the blood, you can find their waste products.
When parasites are present in the body, large numbers of eosinophils will be found in the blood. The diagnosis will need to be confirmed by additional research methods. There are many types of blood tests, and they can be called different.
Scraping for enterobiasis
To detect pinworms in the body, the doctor prescribes an itch for the patient for enterobiasis. During the procedure, the doctor directs a cotton swab over the skin folds near the anus. The resulting sample is sent to the laboratory for further research. The same procedure is done with the adhesive tape applied to the folds. The tape is then placed in the glass, glued and removed, and the glass itself is sent to the laboratory.
Blood test for immunization
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a specific study that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of helminths in children and adults. Using this method, it is possible to detect both microscopic and large parasites. This analysis for parasites is based on the search for antibodies.
Blood for enzyme immunization is taken intravenously. The blood serum is then centrifuged and examined.
ELISA results provide complete information about the presence of helminths in the body and their type.
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 to find out what type of worms have settled in the body. The enzymatic reaction will allow a more detailed study of the identified type of helminths, and visually measure the data obtained.
In response to the invasion of a foreign body, the body responds by producing antibodies to it.
In case of damage to the body by worms in the blood, antibodies are produced to the toxins and waste products of the worms. This technique is based on the study of these antibodies.
The blood test will take 2-4 days. It can be done in any state clinic. It is also possible to undergo a similar study at private clinics.
What other analyzes are there?
In addition to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, parasites can be detected in other ways.
The following blood tests are used for the study:
- indirect hemagglutination reaction; immunofluorescence reaction
- .
Both methods are also used to determine antibodies in the blood serum.
To make a diagnosis, you must donate blood from a vein. After that, it is immediately transported to the laboratory. These information methods can indicate the extent of the worm infection.
How to prepare for the test
Blood for parasites should be donated in the morning. It is advisable not to eat anything before the procedure - although food intake is unimportant, it can still affect the final result of the study.
On the day of the parasite test, only water intake is allowed.
To get more reliable results, in addition to these basic rules, you should pay attention to the following recommendations before passing the ELISA test.
- Three days before the test, you should stop taking the medicine. Let us take only those medicines that are vital to the body.
- Before the procedure, you should not strain physically or emotionally.
- It is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages and strong coffee the day before the procedure.
- If antiparasitic therapy is performed on the eve of the test, it is best to temporarily postpone the procedure.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures may affect the test result, so two procedures should be skipped before the ELISA blood test time.
Properly performed analysis shows absolutely all the parasites that are present in the human body.
How to protect yourself from worms
Worms in most cases enter the body through dirty hands, so it is necessary to observe their hygiene.
Vegetables and fruits purchased from the markets should be thoroughly washed. According to studies conducted, worm eggs often accumulate in vegetables and fruits.
Care should be taken when buying meat and fish. It is important to buy only meat that has passed veterinary control. Meat and fish should be fully cooked.
If there are pets in the house, you should always wash your hands after them. Pets should regularly carry out worm prophylaxis.