Helminthiasis

Helminthiases are a group of parasitic diseases that progress as a result of the penetration of different types of parasitic worms into the body. These diseases are not limited in terms of gender and age. It is worth noting that helminthiasis is more commonly 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 penetrate the human body and develop freely in it, thus causing the progression of parasitic diseases. All representatives of this group can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:

• roundworms;
• bar;
• flukes.

Depending on the mode of transmission, all human helminthiases are divided into:

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

The larvae and forms of developing parasites are the most dangerous for the human body, because they can move freely around the body, infecting vital organs. Adults cannot move so freely and therefore have a more stable position.

Most species 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, based on the location, helminths are divided into tissue and luminal.

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 development of dangerous complications.

Characters

The characteristic signs of helminthiasis occur primarily from peripheral blood. If you perform a clinical analysis, you can find a significant increase in the number of eosinophils (especially in the acute phase of the disease). It should be noted that eosinophilia is often combined with severe leukocytosis.

Other signs of helminths include:

• itching in the anus;
• unstable stool possible - change of constipation and diarrhea;
• grinding teeth in sleep;
• morning sickness. It most commonly occurs in a person while brushing their teeth;
• weight loss until diet changed;
• hyperthermia, accompanied by joint and muscle pain;
• drooling in the morning;
• the person is constantly hungry;
• appearance of rash elements on the skin (sometimes on the eyelids);
• The skin on your fingers may peel off.

Symptoms

The clinic for helminthiasis is divided into acute and chronic phases. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear a month after the parasite enters the body. The acute phase of the pathological process begins. The person experiences the following symptoms:

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

The pathological process can be complicated:

• hepatitis;
bronchospasm;
• occurrence of infiltrates in the lungs;
• pneumonia;
meningoencephalitis;
• myocarditis.

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

• echinococcosis. An 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 skin rash worsens and the face is swollen.

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

Experts refer to the most severe helminthiasis:

• echinococcosis;
• paragonimiasis;
• cysticercosis.

These helminthiases 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 number of helminthiasis, the diagnosis involves many research methods. The most informative and most frequently used are the following:

• stool analysis. In it, doctors have the opportunity to detect helminth eggs, as well as undigested food remains, which indicates a disorder in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• blood on microfilariae;
• to detect worms and earthworms in the human body, resort to macroscopic examination;
• microscopic examination;
• bile research;
• coproovoscopy. Diagnosing helminthiasis using this method allows you to determine the intensity of helminthic invasion;
• view the contents of the duodenum;
• if doctors suspect that a person is progressing with trichinosis, a muscle biopsy is prescribed;
• ultrasound;
• X-ray;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
• blood test for the presence of specific antibodies to some helminthiasis.

Treatment

The main goal of treating the disease is to expel the parasite 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 and evaluation of the test results. Treatment can be carried out both in the hospital and at home.

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

They should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor and in the dose prescribed. In the acute phase of the disease, one dose of the drug is enough to get rid of helminths. But most often the treatment is carried out according to a certain scheme.

It is important to adhere to these principles during treatment:

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

Treatment of helminthiasis in children is carried out only in an inpatient setting, so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and adjust therapy if necessary. It is worth noting that the disease in children is more severe, so the course of treatment can be long.

Prevention

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

For prophylactic purposes, it is important to identify people infected with helminths in time. For this purpose, surveys of certain categories of adults (especially workers in the food, medical sector, etc. ) are regularly conducted.