How to Determine If There Are Parasites in Your Body?

Parasites in the body can pose significant health risks, especially for infants and young children. Due to incomplete gastrointestinal development, poor dietary hygiene can easily lead to parasite infestation. Common parasites are intestinal parasites, which can usually be treated with medication and recover promptly. However, some parasites can enter the lungs or brain, posing significant harm. Therefore, it is important to understand how to determine if there are parasites in the body. Let's take a look at how to do so.

1. Signs of Hookworm Infestation: Hookworms typically parasitize the duodenum of humans, disrupting normal intestinal function and reducing nutrient absorption. Over time, this can lead to emaciation and even anemia. Symptoms caused by hookworms include indigestion, nutritional deficiency, and weight loss. Hookworms lay eggs and grow in the intestine, and some eggs or adult worms may enter the colon or rectum with feces, causing abdominal pain or bloody stool. Some may be expelled from the body through feces, resulting in the appearance of white, curved worms in the stool.

2. Signs of Ascaris Infestation: Ascaris parasites can infest the bronchi or lungs, causing various symptoms such as coughing, expectoration with blood-tinged mucus, and chest tightness. X-rays may reveal shadows in the lungs, indicating ascaris pneumonia. In severe cases, ascaris larvae can invade different parts of the body, causing a range of symptoms in various organs. Invasion of the brain can lead to headache and mental sluggishness, while invasion of the liver can cause loss of appetite and decreased liver function. Invasion of the kidneys can cause back pain, and invasion of the eyes can lead to conjunctivitis and decreased vision.

3. Signs of Pinworm Infestation: Pinworms can cause local or systemic symptoms. Parasitized in the anus, pinworms can cause intense itching in the anus or surrounding skin, making it difficult to sleep or eat comfortably. Sometimes, pinworms can also cause skin damage and inflammation. Pinworms can also cause symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. They can also cause mental symptoms such as insomnia, convulsions, and irritability.