Helminthiasis

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

Helminths are a group of representatives of lower worms that are able to penetrate the human body and grow freely in it, thus causing the progression of parasitic diseases. All representatives of this group can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:

• round worms?
• movie?
• flashes.

Depending on the mode of transmission, all human helminths are subdivided into:

• biohelminthiasis.In this case, the parasite is transmitted by animals.
• contagious.Infection occurs from a sick person.
• geohelminthiasis.This type of helminthiasis is transmitted through the soil. This is because a specific part of the parasite's life cycle occurs directly in the soil.

Parasites and growing forms of parasites are the most dangerous to the human body, as they can move freely around the body, infecting vital organs. Adults can not move as freely and therefore have a more stable position.

Most types of helminths "prefer" to parasitize the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that different species are found in different parts of the digestive tract: pinworms - in the lower part of the small intestine, roundworms - in the upper part, and so on. Also, based on the location, the helminths are divided into tissues and lumens.

It should be noted that 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, consult a doctor immediately and start treating the disease to avoid the occurrence of dangerous complications.

Signs

The hallmarks of helminthiasis appear primarily from peripheral blood. If you do a clinical analysis, you can find 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 in sleep?
• morning sickness. It most often occurs in a person while brushing their teeth.
• weight loss while diet has not changed.
• hyperthermia, accompanied by pain in the joints and muscles.
• spoon in the morning.
• a person is constantly hungry.
• the appearance of elements of a skin rash (sometimes on the eyelids).
• The skin on the fingers may peel off.

Symptoms

Its clinical helminthiasis is divided into acute and chronic stages. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear one month after the parasite enters the body. The acute stage of the pathological process begins. A person has the following symptoms:

• diarrhea?
• hyperthermia?
• the upper airways become inflamed.
• elements of the rash appear on the skin.
• conjunctivitis?
• the face swells. This symptom is especially 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.

The above symptoms do not occur at the same time as a specific type of helminthiasis. Usually in the disease clinic, only two or three symptoms predominate. 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 the human body:

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

The occurrence of helminthiasis also depends to a large extent on the location of the pests. Most species parasitize the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and poisoning syndrome.

Experts report the most severe helminthiasis:

• echinococcosis?
• productivity?
• cysticercosis.

The indicated helminths affect almost all vital organs and systems, therefore, even with timely treatment, the prognosis is often unfavorable.

Diagnostics

Due to the fact that there are quite a large number of helminths, diagnostics include many research methods. The most informative and frequently used are the following:

• stool analysis. In it, doctors have the opportunity to detect helminth eggs, as well as raw food debris, which indicates a disturbance in the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
• blood in microfibers?
• To detect worms and worms in the human body, resort to macroscopic examination.
• microscopic examination?
• bile test?
• coporoscopy. Diagnosing helminthiasis using this method allows you to determine the intensity of helminth infestation.
• examination of the contents of the duodenum?
• If doctors suspect that a person is progressing to trichinosis, a muscle tissue biopsy is prescribed.
• ultrasound?
• x-ray?
• fibastrodesodenoscopy;
• blood test for the presence of specific antibodies in certain helminths.

Treatment

The main goal of the treatment of the disease is the elimination of parasites from the patient's body, as well as the restoration of the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract. The treatment program is prescribed only by a specialized specialist after a thorough diagnosis, evaluation of test results. The treatment can be performed both in a hospital and at home.

The basis of the treatment of helminthiasis is the use of specific anthelmintic drugs.

They should be taken only as directed by the treating physician and in 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 of the time the treatment is carried out according to a specific pattern.

During treatment, it is important to follow these principles:

• strict adherence to personal hygiene rules.
• diet therapy?
• all products consumed must be processed.
• at the place where the patient is being treated, it is necessary to disinfect regularly.

Treatment of helminthiasis in children is performed only in stops, so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the treatment. It is worth noting that the disease in children is more serious, so the course of treatment can be long.

Prevention

The prevention of helminthiasis in children and adults should be carried out throughout life. Because helminths live on the ground and can also be transmitted by contact, you should be as hygienic as possible - wash your hands, use personal hygiene items, etc. It is also important to process fruits and vegetables carefully before eating.

For prophylactic purposes, it is important to identify helminth-infected individuals in a timely manner. To this end, surveys of certain categories of adults are carried out regularly (especially those working in the food sector, in the medical sector, etc. ).