Helminthiasis

Helminthiases are a group of parasitic diseases that progress as a result of the penetration of various types of parasitic worms into the body. These diseases are not limited in terms of gender and age. It is worth noting that helminthiasis in children is more often diagnosed. This is due to the fact that children are less hygienic, eat unwashed foods 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 develop freely in it, thereby provoking the progression of parasitic ailments. All representatives of this group can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:

• roundworms;
• tape;
• flukes.

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

• biohelminthiasis.In this case, the parasite is carried by animals;
• contagious.Infection occurs 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 life cycle of parasites occurs precisely in the ground.

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

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, and so on. Also, based on the location, the 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. In the course of their life, they release various toxic substances that poison the human body. It is important, if you suspect the presence of parasites in the body, immediately consult a doctor and begin to treat the disease in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications.

Signs

The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear first of all from the peripheral blood. If you conduct 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 combined with severe leukocytosis.

Other signs of helminths include:

• itching in the anus;
• unstable stool is possible - alternation of constipation and diarrhea;
• teeth grinding in sleep;
• morning sickness. Most often occurs in a person while brushing teeth;
• weight loss while diet has not changed;
• hyperthermia, accompanied by joint and muscle pain;
• drooling in the morning;
• a person is constantly hungry;
• the appearance of elements of a rash on the skin (sometimes on the eyelids);
• The skin on the fingers may flake off.

Symptoms

Clinic of helminthiasis is divided into acute and chronic stages. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear a month after the penetration of parasites into the body. The acute stage of the pathological process begins. A person experiences the following symptoms:

• diarrhea;
• hyperthermia;
• the upper airways become inflamed;
• elements of a rash appear on the skin;
• conjunctivitis;
• 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 appear all at the same time with any 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. 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 rash on the skin gets worse and the face is swollen.

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

Experts refer to the most severe helminthiasis:

• echinococcosis;
• paragonimiasis;
• cysticercosis.

The indicated 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 is a fairly large number of helminthiases, diagnostics includes 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 undigested food debris, which indicates a disruption in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• blood on microfilariae;
• to detect roundworms and pinworms in the human body, resort to macroscopic examination;
• microscopic examination;
• bile research;
• coproovoscopy. Diagnosis of helminthiasis using this method allows you to determine the intensity of helminthic invasion;
• examination of the contents of the duodenum;
• if doctors suspect that a person is progressing trichinosis, a muscle tissue biopsy is prescribed;
• ultrasound;
• x-ray;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
• blood test for the presence of specific antibodies to some helminthiases.

Treatment

The main goal of treating the disease is to expel parasites from the patient's body, as well as 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 carried out 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 in the dosage that he prescribes. 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 adherence to the rules of personal hygiene;
• diet therapy;
• all consumed products must be processed;
• in the place where the patient is being treated, it is necessary to regularly disinfect.

Treatment of helminthiasis in children is carried out only in stationary conditions, so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the therapy. 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 observe hygiene as much as possible - wash your hands, use individual hygiene items, etc. It is also important to thoroughly process fruits and vegetables before eating.

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