Which parasites cause coughs in adults and children

When a cough due to parasites occurs, almost everyone thinks of viruses or infectious diseases that affect various parts of the respiratory tract. But some parasites can cause a cough with the same symptoms. Laboratory tests and instrumentation performed by a therapist or infectious disease specialist will help understand the condition.

Types of parasites that cause coughs

Main types of parasitic infections:

• Giardia;
• lucky;
• Toxocara;
• roundworms.

Most commonly, the infection is localized to the lower gastrointestinal tract, but if left untreated, it can spread to other organs and systems, including parts of the respiratory system.Pathways for parasite migration:

• Blood flows through blood vessels (some worms are small so they can penetrate the endothelial wall and enter the bloodstream);
• Fecal-oral method (people forget to wash their hands after defecation, and bacteria invade the mouth when eating food);
• through food or water.

Many people are unaware of the concept that parasites and coughs are compatible. Pathogens can penetrate any part of the body and cause inflammatory symptoms.

Fluke

The structure of the pathogen is similar to that of coffee beans. It has small spines on its body. There is a suction cup at the bottom for moving and feeding. All individuals are hermaphroditic, meaning they can reproduce independently. But there is also the option of cross-fertilization.The main stages of the life cycle are:

• pond snail;
• larva;
• metacercariae.

It takes no more than 2 days for the worm to go through all stages and cause infection. This is because the respiratory tract membranes are a favorable environment for flukes to grow.When the parasite enters the body, symptoms are not immediately detected. Initially, microorganisms multiply and spread throughout the tissue.

Giardia

Giardia is a parasite that most commonly causes coughs in children. In adults, pathology can also occur, but is rare.Giardia is a single-celled microorganism with flagella necessary for movement in tissues. Reproduction occurs by division; within 1 day after infection, their number increases severalfold.If a pathogen is outside the body, its body is covered with a membrane that helps it survive in the environment. With its help, it can remain on various objects for up to 12 hours. If fed dairy products, survival time can be extended to 3 months.The main route of entry into the human body is oral administration. The main vectors are animals and birds. Giardiasis is common in schools and kindergartens. Microorganisms cling to all household items, but only for a short time.

Roundworms and how they affect the respiratory system

Parasites enter the host via the fecal-oral route through contaminated products, which can be food or water. The larvae are located in the digestive tract and are not affected by gastric juice and other adverse factors. Eggs with projections then emerge from them and attach themselves to the intestinal mucosa. The small worms punch holes in the mucosa and pass through the endothelium of blood vessels into the bloodstream. Through it they spread to the heart, alveoli and bronchi. In the respiratory tract, they go through a 3-week developmental phase.Causes of cough:

• Alveolar tissue damage;
• Strong sensitization effect, the immune system is activated, and a large number of lymphocytes are transported to the inflammatory site to form infiltration;
• Bronchial obstruction, worm infiltration and accumulation of areas leading to blockage of various parts of the bronchus;
• During coughing, the worms travel from the bronchi to the pharynx and eventually back to the digestive tract.

This is how chronic diseases develop. The larvae continuously invade the respiratory tract and digestive tract, causing repeated infections.

Toxocara and its impact on the human body

Toxocara is the pathogen that causes toxocariasis. This disease affects people and animals. Children who go to school are more likely to get sick. The epidemiological peak occurs in summer.Worms have a life cycle of eggs, larvae and adults. Parasites enter the human body through food and contaminated water and spread in the intestines. When they migrate into the circulatory system, they travel to various organs, including the lungs. They lay eggs in tissues, creating recurring helminth infections.Eggs and larvae enter the environment through animal feces and can even be spread into water from there. The parasite is stable in the environment and survives in soil. Therefore, it remains contagious for many years.The main risk of pathogens is the possible transmission from the pregnant woman to the fetus through the placenta. The infection is also spread through breast milk.

pinworm disease

Pinworm disease is caused by worms entering the body. This disease only occurs in humans due to pinworm larvae entering the esophagus. Children are most susceptible to this disease due to their weakened immune systems.Nematodes are roundworms that can invade a child's body. The parasite, which has a maximum length of 1 centimeter, spreads throughout the body's intestines and lays eggs in the anus; thereafter, the adult dies. Parasites can attach themselves to a child's underwear and under their fingernails when the anus is scratched. Through contaminated hands, repeated cycles of infection can occur.symptom:

• Anal itching, worst at night;
• redness and inflammation of the anus;
• In complicated cases, eczema and dermatitis may occur in the anus;
• sleep disorder;
• Bruxism (teeth grinding);
• urinary incontinence;
• Severe abdominal pain, such as from contractions;
• Loss of appetite;
• Cyclic changes in stool (diarrhea, constipation);
• Nausea, vomiting, weight loss;
• In severe cases - developmental disorders;
• Mood instability, increased fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

When pathogens enter the respiratory tract,The condition is complicated by symptoms:

• Cough, asthma attack;
• Bronchial Asthma;
• Frequent viral illnesses due to suppressed immune system.

Parasites are not only spread in the digestive and pulmonary systems. It can penetrate the genitourinary tract. Therefore, girls are often diagnosed with vulvitis and vulvovaginitis.

Metatesticular disease

The causative agent is a worm from the family Trematidae. It penetrates through the digestive tract into the pulmonary system and liver, causing clinical symptoms.Pathogens do not transfer to humans immediately. The first host is shellfish and the second host is fish. Only after this can it migrate to mammals. The larvae enter the freshwater body and become infected through it.symptom:

• Increased body temperature;
• Weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, abdominal pain and other discomforts;
• Intoxication of the body, manifested by pain in muscles and joints;
• Hepatosplenomegaly;
• dyspeptic diseases;
• Bronchial asthma with severe coughing and asthma attacks;
• toxic allergic damage to the brain and heart;
• Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas and other parts of the body;
• Pneumonia, pleurisy.

Lack of treatment can lead to death.

paragonimiasis

The causative agent is a fluke. This is a paragonimicus that is mainly found in the respiratory tract (bronchi, lungs, trachea). It went through a complex development cycle. It doesn't reach humans right away; it first develops in the animals' organs. The mechanism of transmission is fecal-oral. The eggs fall into the soil with feces and then into the water.Symptoms (no symptoms for first 3 weeks):

• Inflammation of the esophagus and liver;
• acute gastric disease;
• Skin rash and itching;
• Tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia;
• Body temperature rises to a critical value;
• Choking, coughing, hemoptysis;
• Increased heart rate, arrhythmia;
• If the pathogen is located in the central nervous system, it is accompanied by meningitis and encephalitis.

Symptoms subside a few months after the pathogen enters the body. It forms a chronic disease that can develop and worsen over many years.

Respiratory complications caused by parasitic infections

If coughs and infections are left untreated, the condition can gradually worsen and develop complications:

• Bleeding of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and respiratory tract;
• Tissue necrosis, empyema, cysts, and abscesses may occur in the lungs, accompanied only by a dry cough;
• If the germs move to the upper part of the respiratory tract and completely block the respiratory tract, death will result from suffocation.
• Penetrates into the central nervous system, causing paralysis, cerebral hemorrhage, and epilepsy;
• Intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, cholangitis and hepatitis develop in the gastrointestinal tract.

necessary diagnosis

Therapist or infectious disease specialist determinesWhich diagnostic methods are sufficient to make a diagnosis:

1. General clinical analysis of urine and blood, blood biochemistry;
2. Sputum bacteriology and PCR analysis;
3. Scraping from the anus followed by microscopic examination;
4. Extended coroutines;
5. X-ray light;
6. Abdominal ultrasonography.

Increased numbers of immune cells are detected in the blood. A lung X-ray may show masses that may be mistaken for tuberculosis or cancer. Analysis of sputum and anal scrapings revealed worms.

Treatment and preventive measures

The main treatment is antiparasitic drugs, taken in several stages.Symptomatic treatment is carried out with the following drugs:

1. antihistamines;
2. antipyretics;
3. painkiller;
4. corticosteroids;
5. Bronchodilators.

After the first dose of anthelmintics, repeat the course. This is because some eggs and larvae can survive by turning back into worms.If the parasite causes a cough, it is not recommended to use syrup to suppress the cough - it can cause suffocation. For prevention, you should wash your hands, vegetables and fruits frequently.

clinical picture

Patients' most common concerns are:

• stomach ache;
• Dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting, stool changes);
• Itching of the anus;
• Increased body temperature;
• Signs of respiratory infection with a dry or wet cough;
• Rash, itchy skin.

The parasites that cause coughing in children and adults show an atypical pattern in the development of the disease. It is easily confused with appendicitis, intestinal infection, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

What doctors say about parasites

Doctors recommend taking special care in summer. At this time, parasites are actively developing and entering the soil and water. Therefore, it is recommended not to drink liquids from the body and to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.Experts tell us which parasites can cause coughs: Toxocara, lamblia, flukes. All of these can cause symptoms of coughing when they enter the respiratory tract.