Helminthiasis are a group of parasitic diseases that progress as a result of various types of parasitic worms entering the body. These diseases are not limited in terms of sex and age. It is worth noting that helminthiasis are more often diagnosed in children. This is due to the fact that children are less hygienic, eat unwashed food and often play in the fresh air (sandbox, garden, etc. ).
Helminths are a group of representatives of lower worms that are able to enter the human body and develop there freely, causing the progression of parasitic diseases. All representatives of this group can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:
- roundworms;
- tape;
- moat.
Depending on the mode of transmission, all human helminthiasis are subdivided into:
- biohelminthiasis.In this case, the parasite is carried by animals;
- contagious.The infection is caused by a sick person;
- STH.This type of helminthiasis is transmitted through the soil. This is because a certain part of the life cycle of pests occurs precisely in the soil.
Larvae and developing forms of parasites are the most dangerous for the human body, as they can move freely around the body and infect vital organs. Adults cannot move as freely and therefore have a more stable posture.
Most types of helminths “prefer” to parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that different species are localized in different parts of the digestive tract: pinworms - in the lower part of the small intestine, roundworms - in its upper part, etc. Also, depending on the location, the helminths are divided into tissue and luminal.
It should be noted that the parasites can infect not only the digestive tract, but also the lungs, bile ducts and the gallbladder itself. During their lifetime, they release various toxic substances that poison the human body. It is important, if you suspect the presence of parasites in the body, to immediately consult a doctor and start treating the disease in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications.
Signs
The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear first from the peripheral blood. If you perform a clinical analysis, you may see a significant increase in the number of eosinophils (especially in the acute stage of the disease). It should be noted that eosinophilia is often associated with severe leukocytosis.
Other signs of helminths include:
- itching in the anus;
- unstable stools are possible - alternating constipation and diarrhea;
- teeth grinding during sleep;
- morning sickness. Most often occurs in a person when brushing their teeth;
- weight loss while diet has not changed;
- hyperthermia, accompanied by joint and muscle pain;
- drools in the morning;
- a person is constantly hungry;
- the appearance of elements of a rash on the skin (sometimes on the eyelids);
- Skin on fingers may flake.
Symptoms
The helminthiasis clinic is divided into acute and chronic stages. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear a month after the parasites enter the body. The acute phase of the pathological process begins. A person has the following symptoms:
- diarrhea;
- hyperthermia;
- the upper respiratory tract becomes inflamed;
- elements of a rash appear on the skin;
- conjunctivitis; The face
- swells. This symptom is particularly pronounced in children;
- Young children sometimes have tonsillitis and lymphadenitis.
The pathological process can be complicated:
- hepatitis; bronchospasm
- ;
- the appearance of infiltrates in the lungs; pneumonia
- ; meningoencephalitis
- ;
- myocarditis.
Not all of the above symptoms appear at the same time with a particular type of helminthiasis. Usually in the clinic of the disease only two or three symptoms dominate. Such a clinical picture in a patient is observed for 7 days, after which the disease becomes chronic. The signs of pathology vary depending on the type of pathogen that parasitizes in 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 can develop;
- filariasis and strongyloidiasis. The rash gets worse and the face is swollen.
The manifestation of helminthiasis also depends largely on the location of the parasites. Most species parasitize the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in indigestion, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and intoxication syndrome.
Experts refer to the most serious helminthiasis:
- echinococcosis;
- paragonimiasis;
- cysticercosis.
The indicated helminthiasis affects almost all vital organs and systems, therefore, even with prompt treatment, the prognosis is often poor.
Diagnostics
Due to the fact that there is a fairly large number of helminthiasis, the diagnosis includes many research methods. The most informative and frequently used are:
- stool analysis. In it, doctors have the opportunity to detect helminth eggs, as well as undigested food debris, which indicates a disturbance in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- blood on microfilariae;
- to detect roundworms and pinworms in the human body, resort to gross examination;
- microscopic examination;
- bile research;
- coproovoscopy. Diagnosis of helminthiasis using this method allows you to determine the intensity of the helminthic invasion;
- examination of the contents of the duodenum;
- if doctors suspect that a person is progressing with trichinosis, a muscle tissue biopsy is prescribed; ultrasound
- ;
- radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- blood test for the presence of antibodies specific to certain helminthiasis.
Processing
The main goal of treating the disease is to expel parasites from the patient's body, as well as to restore the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The treatment plan is prescribed only by a qualified specialist after a thorough diagnosis, evaluation of the test results. Treatment can be performed both in a hospital setting and at home.
The basis of the treatment of helminthiasis is the use of specific anthelmintic drugs.
They should only be taken as prescribed by the attending physician and at the dosage prescribed. In the acute phase of the disease, a single dose of the drug is enough to get rid of helminths. But most often the treatment is carried out according to a certain scheme.
During treatment it is important to adhere to these principles:
- strict observance of the rules of personal hygiene; diet therapy
- ;
- all products consumed must be treated;
- where the patient is being treated, it is necessary to disinfect regularly.
Treatment of helminthiasis in children is carried out only under stationary conditions, so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the treatment. It should be noted that the disease in children is more serious, so the treatment may take a long time.
Prevention
Prevention of helminthiasis in children and adults should be carried out throughout life. Since helminths live in the soil and can also be transmitted by contact, you should observe hygiene as much as possible - washing your hands, using personal hygiene items, etc. It is also important to treat fruits and vegetables well before eating them.
For prophylactic purposes, it is important to identify those infected with helminths in a timely manner. To this end, surveys of certain categories of adults are regularly carried out (in particular workers in the food sector, the medical sector, etc. ).