Helminthic infestation is a disease caused by 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 appear in humans, but in our country only a tenth of the diseases are parasitic.The prevalence of worms is influenced by the climate and economic conditions of the country.People suffer from helminthic infestations much less frequently in developed countries than in third world countries.
Depending on the nature of the infection, helminthiasis is divided into 3 types:
- biohelminthiasis (people become infected from domestic animals);
- soil-transmitted helminthiasis (penetration of the parasite into the body through contaminated soil);
- contagious (infection through contact with another person).
Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body will depend on the type of worms, their number in the body and the stage of the life cycle.The most dangerous consequences are caused by parasitism of worm larvae.While a sexually mature individual usually exists only in the intestines, the larva migrates 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 found 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).Some types of parasitic infections at different stages can occur both in luminal and tissue forms.
Signs
Helminthiasis occurs in 2 stages: acute and chronic.The first begins immediately after the penetration of worm eggs into the body and manifests itself in the form of allergic reactions.Chronic helminthiasis is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms.Symptoms depend on where the worms live, their number and your lifestyle.By consuming some of the nutrients, worms participate in metabolic processes, which is manifested by a deficiency of vitamins and microelements and digestive disorders.The waste products of worms not only disrupt the natural intestinal microflora, but also suppress the immune system, creating ideal conditions for the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and viruses.Increases the risk of developing malignant tumors.
The first signs of helminth infestation may appear a few days after the eggs or larvae enter the body.Immediately after infection, a skin rash appears, lymph nodes, liver and spleen enlarge.Some helminthiases have characteristic symptoms.For example, when infected with opisthorchiasis, obstructive jaundice develops.In the presence of individual individuals, the chronic phase of helminthiasis can go unnoticed.The exception is parasitism in the body of large worms.
With heavy helminthic infestations, indigestion, severe pain and symptoms characteristic of a particular type of parasite occur.For example, with pinworms, children experience itching in the anus, which becomes stronger at night.Trichuriasis causes hemorrhagic colitis, hookworm causes iron deficiency anemia.Nematodes often obstruct the intestinal lumen and bile ducts.Particularly dangerous are parasites that can provoke the formation of cysts: echinococci, alveococci.Even small cysts can cause suppuration, peritonitis and sepsis.Often, helminthic infestations are accompanied by neurotic symptoms.
Species
Enterobiasis occurs when parasitized by pinworms, small, light-colored worms.The parasite enters the body by eating unclean fruits and vegetables, interacting with pets, and not following hygiene rules.The prolonged course of enterobiasis is explained by the possibility of autoinfection.The life cycle of the parasite takes place in the intestine, where it goes from larva to adult in 14 days.Even at the larval stage of development, helminths can cause significant damage to the body.The enzymes secreted by the larvae influence the development of inflammatory bowel diseases.Adults damage their walls, causing bleeding and facilitating the appearance of bacterial infections.
This helminthic infestation has a specific symptom: itching in the anal area, mainly in the afternoon and at night.It is at this time that the female comes out and lays eggs.Itching causes scratching, through which bacteria enter.It is the addition of infection that explains the discomfort that does not go away after getting rid of the worms.Enterobiasis in children can cause delayed physical and mental development.
Ascariasis is characterized by parasitism in the body of ascaris, long round red-yellow worms.The life cycle of a helminth begins when the eggs enter 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 enters the lungs, from where it returns to the gastrointestinal tract with sputum.The danger of the intestinal phase of the disease is associated with the ability of nematodes to penetrate through narrow openings, causing obstructive jaundice.The main symptoms of this type of helminth infestation are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and signs of intoxication of the body.Nematodes produce powerful allergens that cause serious reactions in the body.
Manifestations of helminthic infestation are often confused with signs of pneumonia, bronchitis and cholelithiasis.A ball of worms can cause obstruction and rupture of the intestines.The penetration of worms into the respiratory system can cause suffocation.Trichocephalosis is a helminthic infestation caused by whipworms, small round clay worms with a long head on the body.Transmission occurs through contaminated food, dirty hands, and household items.Main signs of invasion:
- Stomachache;
- decreased appetite;
- diarrhea;
- anemia.
The broad tapeworm is a parasite that can grow up to 20 m.Helminthiasis caused by this type of worm is called diphyllobothriasis.The life cycle of the broad tapeworm is characterized by a change of host.A person becomes infected by eating raw fish and caviar.The larva attaches to the intestinal wall, where it develops into an adult.The helminth is capable of reproducing 3-4 weeks after the start of the intestinal stage.Signs of diphyllobothriasis:
- indigestion;
- Iron deficiency anemia.
Hookworm is a disease caused by large intestinal worms.People become infected by coming into contact with contaminated soil;The larvae are able to overcome the skin barrier and penetrate the circulatory system.Thus, they are distributed throughout all organs and systems.In the intestines, the helminth attaches 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 stage of helminth infestation, a decrease in the level of proteins in the blood and anemia occur.
Opisthorchiasis is a helminthiasis caused by the cat fluke.The life cycle of the fluke begins in the water, the larval stage takes place in the body of the snail.The larva then hatches in the water and penetrates the body of freshwater fish.Infection is promoted by eating raw fish dishes.The adult parasitizes in the human gallbladder, where it is held in place by suction cups.The acute form of opisthorchiasis is manifested by pain in the epigastric region, elevated body temperature, pain in the joints and muscles, and allergic rash.The chronic form leads to the development of hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.Even after expulsion of the parasites, pathological changes persist in the liver.
Echinococcus lives in the human orgasm at an intermediate stage of its life cycle.This is a short tapeworm.The following reasons contribute to 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 produce oncospheres, intermediate forms.From the digestive system they pass to the circulatory system, from where they are transported by the bloodstream to all organs.Once in the tissue, the oncosphere becomes a fin, a cavity surrounded by two shells.Finna, as she grows, causes a cyst to appear.The symptoms of the disease depend on the size of the tumor.In addition to tissue destruction, echinococci can cause suppuration and poisoning of the body when the cyst ruptures.
Complications of any helminth infestation are associated with the impact of worms on the tissue, the destruction of which can lead to organ dysfunction.Often, helminthiasis is complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection.The appearance of the parasite, when it leaves the body, can cause psychological trauma in the person that requires long-term treatment.
Detection methods
Due to the large number of signs inherent to helminthic infestations, determining the possible route of infection by interviewing the patient plays an important role.To detect eggs or body parts of the parasite, feces, bile and sputum are examined.When performing a general blood test, a significant increase in the number of eosinophils may indicate the presence of parasites.In some cases, immunological tests that can detect specific antibodies are required.Additional methods for diagnosing human parasites are:
- computed tomography;
- Ultrasound;
- X-ray examination.
Removal methods
The basis for the treatment of helminth infestation in adults and children is the use of anthelmintic drugs.
To treat ascariasis and enterobiasis, drugs that are very effective against tapeworms are most often used.In most cases, 1 tablet is enough to get rid of parasites, but sometimes treatment is carried out according to a scheme that involves repeating the drug after a certain break.Echinococcosis is usually treated surgically, after which medications 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.To eliminate the symptoms of the disease, antihistamines and probiotics can be prescribed.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from parasite infection by following the rules of personal hygiene and heat treatment of food.Soil treatment is recommended to help reduce the number of helminth eggs.Timely examination and treatment of domestic dogs and cats will help prevent the occurrence of helminthiasis in children.The risk of contracting parasitic diseases increases many times during contact with stray animals that carry various types of parasites.
It is mandatory to wash vegetables, fruits and herbs, since parasite eggs can enter the body with soil particles left on them.You should avoid eating raw, salted or dried river fish.Meat should be purchased from a trusted seller who can provide quality certificates.