Helminthic infestation is a disease caused by the parasitism of lower worms in the human body.There are 3 types of helminths: roundworms, tapeworms and flukes.More than 200 types of helminthiasis can occur in humans, but only 10 of our diseases are parasitic.The spread of worms is influenced by the weather and economic conditions of the country.People suffer less from helminthic infections in developed countries than in third world countries.
Depending on the nature of the infection, helminthoses are divided into 3 types:
- biohelminthosis (people are infected from pets);
- geohelminthiases (parasite penetration into the body through contaminated soil);
- contagious (infection through contact with another person).
Symptoms of parasites in the body will depend on the type of worms, the number in the body and the stage of the life cycle.Parasitism of larval forms of worms causes the most dangerous consequences.Although the adult is usually present only in the intestines, the larvae migrate throughout the body, causing pathological changes in the organs.Each type of parasite has its own habitat in the intestines.For example, roundworms are usually located in the small intestine, pinworms - in the large intestine.Helminth infections are divided into luminal (the worms remain in the intestinal cavity) and tissue (the parasite penetrates deep into the tissues).At different stages, some types of parasitic infections can occur in both luminal and tissue forms.
Signs
Helminthosis occurs in 2 stages: acute and chronic.The first one begins immediately after worm eggs penetrate the body and manifests itself in the form of allergic reactions.Chronic helminthiasis is characterized by various symptoms.Symptoms depend on the place where the worms live, their number and lifestyle.By consuming part of the nutrients, worms take part in metabolic processes, which manifests itself in the deficiency of vitamins and trace elements and the disruption of the digestive system.Waste products of worms not only destroy the natural microflora of the intestines, but also suppress the immune system, which creates ideal conditions for the reproduction of bacteria, fungi and viruses.Bədxassəli şişlərin inkişaf riski artır.
The first signs of helminthic infection may appear a few days after the eggs or larvae enter the body.Immediately after infection, skin rash appears, lymph nodes, liver and spleen enlarge.Some helminth infections have characteristic symptoms.For example, obstructive jaundice develops when infected with opisthorchosis.In the presence of single individuals, the chronic stage of helminthosis can continue unnoticed.An exception is parasitism in the body of large worms.
With a strong helminthic infestation, indigestion, severe pain and symptoms characteristic of a certain type of parasite occur.Məsələn, pinworms ilə uşaqlar axşam saatlarında güclənən anusda qaşınma hiss edirlər.Trixuriasis hemorragik kolitə, ankoloorq isə dəmir defisitli anemiyaya səbəb olur.Dəyirmi qurdlar tez-tez bağırsağın lümenini və safra yollarını bağlayır.Xüsusilə təhlükəli olan parazitlər kistlərin yaranmasına səbəb ola bilər - exinokokklar, alveokokklar.Hətta kiçik kistlər irin, peritonit və sepsisə səbəb ola bilər.Tez-tez helmintik infeksiyalar nevrotik simptomlarla müşayiət olunur.
Species
Enterobiosis occurs when parasitized by pinworms - small light-colored worms.The parasite enters the body by eating dirty vegetables and fruits, communicating with domestic animals, and not following hygiene rules.The long course of enterobiosis is explained by the possibility of self-infection.The life cycle of the parasite occurs in the intestine, where it grows from a larva to an adult within 14 days.Even in the larval stage of development, helminths can cause significant damage to the body.The enzymes secreted by the larvae affect the development of inflammatory bowel diseases.Adults damage its walls, cause bleeding and facilitate the addition of bacterial infections.
This helminthic infestation has a specific symptom - itching in the anal area, mainly in the evening and at night.At this time, the female comes out and lays eggs.Itching causes scratches that bacteria enter.It is the addition of the infection that explains the discomfort that does not go away after getting rid of the worms.In children, enterobiosis can cause retardation of physical and mental development.
Ascariasis is characterized by parasitism in the body of ascarids - long round worms of red-yellow color.The life cycle of helminths begins with the introduction of eggs into the intestines, where they develop into larvae.Worm larvae migrate throughout the body and damage tissues.At the end of the larval stage, the parasite penetrates the lungs, from there it returns to the gastrointestinal tract with sputum.The danger of the intestinal stage of the disease is associated with the ability of roundworms to penetrate narrow openings, causing obstructive jaundice.The main symptoms of this type of helminthic infection are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, signs of body intoxication.Roundworms produce strong allergens that cause severe reactions in the body.
Manifestations of helminthic infection are often confused with symptoms of pneumonia, bronchitis and cholelithiasis.A ball worm can cause intestinal obstruction and rupture.The penetration of worms into the respiratory system can result in suffocation.Trichocephalus is a helminth infection caused by whipworms, small roundworms with a long head.Infection occurs through contaminated food, dirty hands and household items.The main signs of occupation:
- stomach pain;
- decreased appetite;
- diarrhea;
- anemia.
The broad tapeworm is a tape parasite that can grow up to 20 m.Helminthiasis caused by this type of worms is called diphyllobothriasis.The life cycle of the broad tapeworm is characterized by a change in hosts.Humans are infected by eating raw fish and caviar.The larva is attached to the intestinal wall, where it becomes an adult.The helminth is able to reproduce 3-4 weeks after the start of the intestinal stage.Symptoms of diphyllobothriasis:
- indigestion;
- iron deficiency anemia.
Hookworm is a disease caused by large roundworms.People become infected when they come into contact with contaminated soil;larvae are able to cross the skin barrier and enter the circulatory system.Thus, they are distributed in all organs and systems.In the intestines, the helminth sticks to the walls and begins to suck blood.The symptoms of this disease in the larval stage are similar to the symptoms of ascariasis.In the intestinal phase of helminthic infestation, a decrease in the level of proteins in the blood and anemia is observed.
Opisthorchosis is a helminthosis caused by cat fleas.The life cycle of the flask begins in water, the larval stage occurs in the body of the snail.The larva then enters the water and penetrates the body of freshwater fish.Infection is encouraged by eating raw fish.An adult is a parasite in the gall bladder, where it is kept by suckers.The acute form of opisthorchosis is manifested by pain in the epigastric region, high body temperature, pain in the joints and muscles, allergic rash.The chronic form causes the development of hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.Pathological changes in the liver remain even after the parasites are removed.
Echinococcus lives in an intermediate stage of its life cycle in the human organism.This is a short tapeworm.The following causes human infection:
- contact with sick pets;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules
- use of contaminated household items.
The parasite is often found in dogs, wolves and cats.After worm eggs enter the body, they form oncospheres - intermediate forms.From the digestive system, they penetrate into the circulatory system, from where they are carried by the blood stream to all organs.Once in the tissue, the oncosphere becomes a fin - a cavity surrounded by two shells.Finna causes the appearance of a growing cyst.Symptoms of the disease depend on the size of the tumor.In addition to the destruction of tissues, echinococci can cause suppuration and poisoning of the body when the cyst ruptures.
Complications of any helminthic infestation are associated with the effect of worms on tissues, their destruction can lead to organ dysfunction.Often helminthiases are complicated by the addition of bacterial infection.The appearance of the parasite when it leaves the body can lead to psychological trauma that requires long-term treatment.
Detection methods
An important role is to determine the possible route of infection by interviewing the patient due to the large number of symptoms characteristic of helminthic infestations.Feces, bile and sputum are examined to detect eggs or body parts of the parasite.When conducting a general blood test, a significant increase in the number of eosinophils can indicate the presence of parasites.In some cases, immunological tests that can detect specific antibodies are required.Additional methods of diagnosis of human parasites are:
- computed tomography;
- Ultrasound;
- X-ray examination.
Methods of disposal
The main treatment for helminthic infestation in adults and children is the use of anthelmintic drugs.
For the treatment of ascariasis and enterobiosis, highly effective drugs against tapeworms are most often used.Often, 1 tablet is enough to get rid of parasites, but sometimes the treatment is carried out according to a scheme that involves repeating the drugs after a certain interval.Echinococcosis is usually treated surgically, after which drugs are prescribed that restore the functions of the affected organs.
For some parasites, joint treatment of all family members is recommended.An integral part of the therapeutic course is compliance with hygiene rules.Antihistamines and probiotics can be prescribed to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from parasite infection by following the rules of personal hygiene and heat treatment of foods.Soil treatment is recommended to help reduce the number of helminth eggs.Examination and timely treatment of domestic cats and dogs will help prevent the occurrence of helminthiasis in children.The risk of contracting parasitic diseases increases many times when in contact with stray animals that carry several types of parasites.
Washing vegetables, fruits and greens is mandatory, because parasite eggs can enter the body with soil particles left on them.You should avoid eating raw, salted or dried river fish.Meat must be purchased from a reliable vendor who can issue quality certificates.