In the human body, many types of helminths can parasitize, so there are several tests to detect them. Each diagnostic event has its own confidence percentage and is distinguished by certain features of the implementation.
In the human body, many types of helminths can parasitize, so there are several tests to detect them. Each diagnostic event has its own confidence percentage and is distinguished by certain features of the implementation.
Fortunately, unique techniques have been developed to detect parasite infestation at an early stage and initiate treatment in time.
What tests will they have to pass to detect worms?
To determine the presence of parasites, an analysis is not always enough, since at different stages of development, worms manifest themselves in their own way.
The main types of analyzes are distinguished:
- Preventive. Allow timely detection of helminthiases. This can be done even in the absence of typical symptoms. It is recommended to carry out the study annually.
- Barrier. Reduce the risk of spreading parasites among the population. It is considered mandatory in obtaining a medical book.
- By doctor's order. Analyzes are done if there are characteristic signs of helminthic invasion: nausea, itching in the anus, pain in the abdomen and fatigue.
To accurately determine the presence of worms, you will have to pass several tests. Also, some of them pass multiple times.
Fecal analysis for parasites
The fecal analysis is the simplest analysis done in any district clinic. The results show the presence of worm eggs in the feces. This is where helminth eggs are found.
Mature individuals can lay thousands of eggs a day. Some of them spread through the blood throughout the body. But luckily, most come out naturally.
For the analysis to be reliable, it is necessary:
- You need to pass up to 3 times. This is because the risk of swallowing eggs by a healthy person is high, although this does not mean that they will be infected immediately.
- Kal is administered at a time interval of 7 days.
- Feces are taken from different places.
It is not necessary to collect the material in the morning, it can be done at night, but it can be stored for a maximum of one day and in a cold place.
If a large number of eggs are detected during the study, further analysis is not necessary.
Complete blood count to detect worms
Such a study is known to everyone from childhood. Basically, blood is 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 they have worms. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to know the characteristic symptoms of the infection.
This analysis is able to:
- 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 live only in the gastrointestinal tract. Indeed, many species, having penetrated the stomach, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is not without serious consequences. The parasites leave a trail, which doctors reveal in the blood.
hemotest
Finding information about this study is not easy, and the term itself is unfamiliar to many. In fact, for the patient, it is a blood donation procedure for a general analysis. Differences in the laboratory studies themselves.
The hemotest task:
- Determination of immunity of any 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 otherwise. This study is considered the most reliable.
Various manipulations are carried out on the blood taken from the patient. It is affected by biological and chemical substances, observing the reaction. It is different, and some indicate the presence of helminths.
This test is quite complicated and is not performed in all clinics. The result is known after 2-5 days. In the presence of parasites, the test will give a positive reaction.
PCR analysis for worm detection
This diagnosis is considered an accurate and modern research method. PCR analysis is able to detect the presence of bacteria, intracellular parasites and viruses. Blood and other bodily fluids are taken for analysis. If the presence of worms is suspected, the feces are used for research.
The detection of even some parasite DNA fragments in the biomaterial indicates helminthic invasion. PCR analysis is quite simple, the result is known after a few hours. This is facilitated by the use of special equipment. With this test, you can't perform a lot of additional searches, but quickly get the desired result.
Unfortunately, not all clinics have this equipment, and the cost of this analysis is quite high.
ELISA blood test for worm detection
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 to 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 antibodies in the blood. The study is great for identifying parasites.
It is divided into 2 steps:
- immune system response. It can bind molecules, microorganisms and cellular elements to be detected.
- enzymatic reaction. You can visually evaluate the reaction results.
Serological blood test
With the help of this laboratory method, infectious diseases are detected, as well as the stages of their development.
This test allows:
- Determine the patient's immune status. When infected with parasites, the immune system is significantly weakened.
- Detects the presence in the blood of bacteria that have caused a decrease in immunity.
By the way, this study is used to determine blood type.
Giardia blood test
This analysis is considered the highest quality. It consists of an enzyme immunoassay. The analysis determines the density of antibodies to worms of a particular species.
When infected, IgM antibodies appear in the blood, and after 2 weeks - IgA and IgG.
Study results show Giardia infection up to 95%.
This analysis is also prescribed to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. If the number of parasites decreases, the recovery method will be chosen correctly.
scraping
A smear is taken to diagnose enterobiasis, that is, the presence of worms in the body.
Scraping is performed in the following ways:
- Using a special spatula or a regular cotton swab.
- Using masking 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 sticky tape and swab your anus.
Do not wash before the procedure. If scraping is done at home, a spatula or masking tape (glued to the glass) is placed in an airtight container and taken to the laboratory. For a more accurate result, the analysis is given several times.
When and where should I be tested for worms?
Analyzes for parasites should be done with obvious symptoms of helminthic invasion: With asthenia, digestive problems, sudden weight loss and skin diseases. In addition, diagnosis of the presence of helminths is necessary in situations where a person has been treated for a chronic disease for a long time and recovery does not occur. 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.
- Profuse salivation.
- Pale skin.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Constipation turning into diarrhea.
- Pain in the abdomen from various locations.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is interrupted.
The analysis is given:
- at 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 personnel.
What tests are done to detect parasites?
Basically, one analysis is enough to detect worms in the body.
Recommended:
- Pass lime.
- Do a scrape.
Verification of these analyzes is carried out quickly. In most cases, they are sufficient to identify the parasites. Sometimes a blood test is prescribed, but this procedure is more complicated, painful, and expensive.
The interpretation of the results is made by the attending physician. Based on the indicators, the specialist makes the final diagnosis and selects a therapeutic program.
Preparing for tests to detect worms
It should be noted that no special training is required. But there are some guidelines and limitations.
They are as follows:
- Before passing the analysis, it is necessary to eat mainly light foods or completely refuse them.
- You must stop taking the medication 3 days before the test. Some drug components may skew the study result.
Be sure to inform the doctor about existing illnesses. This also applies to blood pressure spikes, possible fainting, and poor blood clotting.
Every person who is concerned about their health should be checked 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 the parasites in a timely manner so that they do not have time to cause serious damage to health.