Many types of helminths can parasitize in the human body, so there are various tests to detect them. Each diagnostic event has its own percentage of reliability and is characterized by certain implementation characteristics.
Many types of helminths can parasitize in the human body, so there are various tests to detect them. Each diagnostic event has its own percentage of reliability and is characterized by certain implementation characteristics.
Fortunately, unique techniques have been developed to detect parasite infestations at an early stage and start treatment in time.
What tests must be passed to detect worms?
To determine the presence of parasites, one analysis is not always enough, since worms at different stages of development manifest themselves in their own way.
The main types of analyzes are distinguished:
- preventative. Enable timely detection of helminthiasis. This is also possible without typical symptoms. It is recommended that the study be conducted annually.
- Barrier. Reduce the risk of spreading parasites in the population. It is considered mandatory when receiving a medical book.
- On doctor's orders. Analyzes are carried out when there are characteristic signs of helminthic invasion: nausea, itching in the anus, abdominal pain and fatigue.
To accurately determine the presence of worms, you need to pass several tests. Also, some of them happen multiple times.
Fecal analysis for parasites
Stool analysis is the simplest analysis performed in a district clinic. The results show the presence of worm eggs in the stool. It contains helminth eggs.
Adult individuals can lay thousands of eggs per day. Some of them spread through the blood throughout the body. But fortunately, most come out naturally.
For the analysis to be reliable, the following is required:
- You must pass up to 3 times. Because the risk of swallowing eggs from a healthy person is high, but this does not mean that he will immediately become infected.
- Kal is administered at a time interval of 7 days.
- Feces are taken from different places.
It is not necessary to collect material in the morning, it can be done in the evening, but it can be stored for no more than a day and in a cold place.
If a large number of eggs are detected during the study, then further analysis is not required.
Complete blood count to detect worms
Such a study is known to everyone since childhood. Blood is generally taken from a finger, but sometimes from a vein. Research will quickly determine the cause of any disease.
Usually a person does not suspect that he has worms. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to learn about the symptoms characteristic of infection.
This analysis can:
- Determine the cause of the symptoms.
- Detect the presence of parasites in the blood.
- Confirm the presence of other pathologies.
There is a misconception that helminths only live in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, many species, after entering the stomach, leach into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is not without serious consequences. Parasites leave a trail that doctors can detect in the blood.
blood test
Finding information about this study is not easy, and many are unfamiliar with the term itself. In fact, for the patient, this is a procedure for donating blood for a general analysis. Differences in the laboratory studies themselves.
The task of the hemotest:
- Determination of the immunity of products by the body.
- What is the reaction to them.
Basically, this study is prescribed by a doctor. Hemotest is able to detect parasites that could not be detected in any other way. This study is considered the most reliable.
Various manipulations are performed on the blood taken from the patient. It is influenced by biological and chemical substances and observes the reaction. It is different, and some indicate the presence of helminths.
Such a test is quite complex and is not carried out in every clinic. The result is known after 2-5 days. In the presence of parasites, the test will show a positive reaction.
PCR analysis to detect worms
This diagnosis is considered an accurate and modern research method. PCR analysis can detect the presence of bacteria, intracellular parasites and viruses. Blood and other body fluids are taken for analysis. If the presence of worms is suspected, feces are used for research.
The detection of only a few fragments of parasite DNA in the biomaterial indicates helminthic invasion. The PCR analysis is quite simple, the result is known after a few hours. This is facilitated by the use of special devices. This test doesn't allow you to do much additional research, but you'll quickly get the desired result.
Unfortunately, not every clinic has such equipment, and the cost of this analysis is quite high.
ELISA blood test to detect worms
The most popular and reliable analysis today, experts call the enzyme immunoassay for parasites.
The main purpose of this high-precision laboratory method is to detect antibodies against a specific type of parasite in the blood. Immunoglobulins (also called antibodies) are a natural reaction of the immune system and are intended to neutralize the negative agent.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) shows a change in the antibodies in the blood. The study is great for identifying parasites.
It is divided into 2 stages:
- immune system response. Can bind molecules to be detected, microorganisms and cell elements.
- enzymatic reaction. You can visually evaluate the results of the reaction.
Serological blood test
With the help of this laboratory method, infectious diseases are identified, as well as the stages of their development.
This test enables:
- Determine the patient's immune status. When infected with parasites, the immune system is significantly weakened.
- Detects the presence of bacteria in the blood that have caused a decrease in immunity.
By the way, this study is used to determine the blood group.
Giardia blood test
This analysis is considered the highest quality. It consists of an enzyme immunoassay. The analysis determines the density of antibodies against worms of a specific species.
With infection, IgM antibodies appear in the blood, and after 2 weeks - IgA and IgG.
The results of the study show up to 95% Giardia infection.
This analysis is also prescribed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. If the number of parasites decreases, then the recovery method will be chosen correctly.
scratch
A smear is taken to diagnose enterobiasis, that is, the presence of pinworms in the body.
Scraping is done in the following way:
- Use a special spatula or a regular cotton swab.
- Use of tape.
This test is considered more effective than a regular stool test. It can be done independently or in the clinic. You need to take a cotton swab or tape and make a swab in the anus.
Do not wash before the procedure. If the scraping is done at home, a spatula or tape (attached to the jar) is placed in an airtight container and taken to the lab. For a more accurate result, the analysis is given several times.
When and where should I get tested for worms?
Analyzes for parasites must be carried out with obvious symptoms of helminthic invasion: with asthenia, digestive problems, sudden weight loss and dermatological diseases. In addition, a diagnosis for the presence of helminths is required in situations where a person has been treated for a chronic disease for a long time and there is no recovery. Often the pathology is provoked not by physiological problems, but by the presence of parasites in the body.
Tests are mandatory for the following symptoms:
- itching in the anus.
- dysbacteriosis.
- Copious salivation.
- Pale skin.
- urinary incontinence.
- Constipation turns into diarrhea.
- Pain in the abdomen of various localization.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted.
The analysis is given:
- in the district clinic.
- In a medical research laboratory.
- In a private clinic.
The main thing is that the medical institution has the necessary equipment and qualified staff.
What tests are done to detect parasites?
In principle, an analysis is sufficient to detect worms in the body.
Recommended:
- Cal. pass
- Do a scraping.
Verification of these analyzes occurs quickly. In most cases, they are enough to identify parasites. Sometimes a blood test is prescribed, but this procedure is more complicated, painful and expensive.
The treating doctor interprets the results. Based on the indicators, the specialist makes the final diagnosis and selects a therapy program.
Preparing for tests to detect worms
It should be noted that no special training is required. But there are some guidelines and restrictions.
They are as follows:
- Before passing the analysis, it is necessary to eat mainly light food or refuse it altogether.
- You must stop taking the drug 3 days before the test. Some components of medicinal products can falsify the results of the study.
Be sure to inform the doctor about the existing diseases. This also applies to pressure surges, possible fainting spells and weak blood clotting.
Any person who cares about their health needs to be screened for the presence of worms. Helminthiasis is considered a dangerous disease. Worms absorb substances needed by the human body and release toxins. Therefore, it is desirable to identify parasites in a timely manner so that they do not have time to cause serious harm to health.