Helminthiasis

Helminthiasis is a group of parasitic diseases that develop as a result of the penetration of various parasitic worms into the body. These diseases are not limited in terms of gender and age. It is worth noting that helminthiasis is diagnosed more often in children. This is due to the fact that children are less hygienic, eat unwashed food and often play in the fresh air (sandpit, garden, etc. ).

Helminths are a group of lower worm representatives that are able to penetrate and develop freely in the human body, thereby provoking the progression of parasitic diseases. Each member of this group can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:

• globular worms;
• tape;
• claps.

Depending on the mode of transmission, all human helminthiasis can be divided into:

• biohelminthiasis.In this case, the parasite is carried by animals;
• is contagious.The infection comes from a sick person;
• geohelminthiasis.This type of helminthiasis spreads through the soil. This is due to the fact that a certain part of the life cycle of parasites occurs precisely in the soil.

Larvae and evolving forms of parasites are the most dangerous to the human body because they can move freely in the body, infecting vital organs. Adults cannot move so freely, so they are in a more stable position.

Most types of helminths “prefer parasitism” in the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that different species are localized in different parts of the digestive system: pinworms - in the lower part of the small intestine, roundworms - in the upper part, etc. Furthermore, based on location, helminth samples are divided into tissues and luminals.

It should be noted that parasites can infect not only the digestive system but also the lungs, bile ducts and the gallbladder itself. During their lifetime, they emit various toxic substances that poison the human body. It is important if you suspect the presence of parasites in your body, see a doctor immediately and start treating the disease to avoid the development of dangerous complications.

Signs

Characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear primarily from the peripheral blood. If you perform a clinical analysis, you may experience a significant increase in the number of eosinophils (especially in the acute stage of the disease). It should be noted that eosinophilia is often combined with severe leukocytosis.

Other signs of helminths are:

• itching in the anus;
• unstable stools possible - alternation of constipation and diarrhea;
• teeth squeaking during sleep;
• morning sickness. It most commonly occurs in one person while brushing their teeth;
• weight loss while diet has not changed;
• accompanied by hyperthermia, joint and muscle pain;
• salivating in the morning;
• man is constantly hungry;
• appearance of rash elements on the skin (sometimes on the eyelids);
• Finger skin may peel off.

Symptoms

The clinic of helminthiasis is divided into acute and chronic stages. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear one month after the parasites enter the body. The acute phase of the pathological process begins. A person experiences the following symptoms:

• diarrhea;
• hyperthermia;
• upper airways become inflamed;
elements of rash
• appear on the skin;
conjunctivitis;
• face swells. This symptom is especially pronounced in children;
• Infants sometimes have tonsillitis and lymphadenitis.

The pathological process can be complicated:

• hepatitis;
• bronchospasm;
• appearance of infiltrates in the lungs;
• pneumonia;
• meningoencephalitis;
• Myocarditis.

The above symptoms do not appear at the same time as any of the specific types of helminthiasis. Usually, only two or three symptoms dominate the disease clinic. Such a clinical picture is observed in a patient for 7 days, after which the disease becomes chronic. Signs of pathology vary depending on the type of pathogen parasitizing the human body:

• echinococcosis. The allergic reaction comes to the fore. Allergy symptoms are at their peak. In the most severe clinical situations, even anaphylactic shock may develop;
• filariasis and strongyloidiasis. The rash on the skin gets worse and the face is swollen.

The manifestation of helminthiasis also depends largely on the location of the parasites. Most species parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and poisoning syndrome.

Experts point to the most severe helminthiasis:

• echinococcosis;
• paragonimiasis;
• cysticercosis.

Indicated helminthiasis affects almost all vital organs and systems, so the prognosis is often unfavorable even with timely treatment.

Diagnostics

Due to the fact that there is quite a lot of helminthiasis, diagnostics includes a number of research methods. The most informative and most commonly used are:

• stool analysis. In this, doctors have the opportunity to detect helminth eggs as well as undigested food debris, indicating a disturbance in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• blood on microfilariae;
• uses a macroscopic examination to detect roundworms and pinworms in the human body;
• microscopic examination;
• bile research;
• Coprooscopy. The diagnosis of helminthiasis by this method makes it possible to determine the intensity of helminthic invasion;
• examination of the contents of the duodenum;
• If doctors suspect a person is progressing to trichinosis, they will prescribe a muscle tissue biopsy;
• ultrasound;
• X-ray;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
• Blood test for the presence of specific antibodies in certain helminthiasis.

Management

The main goal of treating the disease is to clear the parasites from the patient's body and restore the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The treatment plan should only be prescribed by a trained professional after a thorough diagnosis and evaluation of the test results. Treatment can be done in a hospital setting or at home.

Treatment of helminthiasis is based on the use of specific anthelmintics.

It should only be taken as prescribed and at the dose prescribed by your doctor. In the acute phase of the disease, a single dose of the drug is sufficient to release helminths. But most often, the treatment is performed according to a certain scheme.

It is important to follow these principles during treatment:

• strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene;
• diet therapy;
• all products consumed must be processed;
• should be disinfected regularly at the site of treatment.

In children, helminthiasis should only be treated under standing conditions so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and adjust the therapy if necessary. It is worth noting that the disease is more severe in children, so the process of treatment can be long.

Prevention

Prevention of helminthiasis in children and adults should be carried out throughout life. As helminths live in the ground and can be transmitted by contact, hygiene should be observed as much as possible - wash hands, use personal hygiene items, etc. It is also important to process fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.

It is important to identify people infected with helminths in a timely manner for prophylactic purposes. To this end, surveys are regularly conducted in certain categories of adults (especially workers in the food industry, the medical sector, etc. ).