Severe parasitic infection- what are the health implications?
Background Information: I am a 19 year old female who until about ten years ago was very healthy. I was always active and social and playing outdoors. I grew up in Boise, Idaho, Northern Vermont, Southern Quebec, and frequently visited family in Western Washington and Southern California.
For several years now I have been feeling a multitude of symptoms such as follows:
-Chronic, insatiable fatigue
-Severe muscle and fibrous tissue pain (fibromyalgia)
-Low grade fevers
-Frequent flu-like symptoms (cough, congestion, etc.)
-Near constant illness/infection (colds, UTI, food poisoning, etc.)
More recently, within the last several months, I have also developed:
-Sensitivity/bruising sensation to light touch on extremities and ribs
-Asthma
-Increase in pain and immunodeficiency
-Occasional diarrhea
After running the gamut of medical tests, it was discovered that I have a severe infection of the following:
-Blastocytis hominis
-Cryptosporidium
-Endolimax nana
-Candida
Also notable in test results:
-Extremely low sIgA (normal 400-1000, I had >23)
-Low blood oxygen (normal 35-50, I had >30) (diagnosed metabolic acidosis)
-Vitamin deficient in Vitamins E, B3, D, and CoQ10
I realize this is a lot of information to be throwing at you, and I'm sorry, I'm just not sure I understand the medical implications of all of these test results. If you have experience in this particular medical field please help me by shedding some light on these findings. I am currently on an anti-parasitic to clear up the parasites, but I'm not sure I'm clear on what symptoms will be alleviated by their eradication. PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS.
Public Comments
1. Wow that's a lot of stuff to deal with at 19. I am not a doctor but do the testing for all of this stuff. The parasites would definitely cause the diarrhea, the vitamin def., the low grade fever, and possibly most of the other problems. If you have a severe infection from something it can basically tie up your immune system so that you are vulnerable to everything else under the sun, maybe that's why you are constantly getting colds and UTI's.I personally would talk to my doctor about everything, but to have that many infections from parasites, to me looks like maybe you have an immune system problem. You obviously have a IGA deficiency, this I don't think is caused by the parasites as usually that would cause a very high IGE (that's the white blood cell in your body that attacks parasites). IGA and IGE are both cells in your immune system that help kill things that shouldn't be there. IGA specifically is found in secretions, like mucous and tears. This could be another reason why you are getting common colds.
Basically every day your body is fighting very hard against these parasites which are stealing the nutrients from you and trying to take over, it's no wonder you have crazy lab results and feel really crappy.
I hope the meds work and that takes care of everything, In the mean time hang in there and get better.
On another note I grew up in northern vermont/southern quebec too.
