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 is most often diagnosed in children. This is due to the fact that children are less hygienic, eat unwashed food, and often play outside (sandbox, garden, etc. ).

Helminths are a group of representatives of lower worms that can penetrate the human body and develop freely in it, thus causing 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 helminth infections are subdivided into:

• biohelminthiasis.In this case, the animals carry the parasite;
• contagious.The infection is caused by a sick person;
• soil-transmitted helminths.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 soil.

Larvae and developing forms of parasites are the most dangerous to the human body, as they can move freely through the body and infect vital organs. Adults cannot move as 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, etc. Also, depending 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. Throughout 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 start treating the disease in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications.

Signs

The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear first in 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:

• itchy anus;
• there may be unstable stools - alternating constipation and diarrhea;
• grinding teeth during sleep;
• morning sickness. It occurs most often in a person while brushing their 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 peel off.

Symptoms

The helminthiasis clinic is divided into acute and chronic stages. The first symptoms of helminthiasis appear a month after the penetration of the 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 skin rash appear;
• conjunctivitis;
• the face swells. This symptom is especially pronounced in children;
• Young children sometimes have tonsillitis and lymphadenitis.

The disease 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. The allergic reaction comes to the fore. Allergy symptoms are at their peak. In the most severe clinical situations, even anaphylactic shock can develop;
• filariasis and strongyloidiasis. The skin rash gets worse and the face is swollen.

The manifestation of helminthiasis is also highly dependent on the location of the parasites. Most species parasitize in the gastrointestinal tract, causing indigestion, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and intoxication syndrome.

Experts refer to the most serious helminthiasis:

• echinococcosis;
• paragonimiasis;
• cysticercosis.

The indicated helminthiases affect almost all vital organs and systems, so even with prompt treatment, the prognosis is usually unfavorable.

Diagnosis

Due to the fact that there is a large number of helminthiasis, the diagnosis 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, indicating a disruption in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• blood in microfilariae;
• to detect pinworms and pinworms in the human body, resort to gross examination;
• microscopic examination;
• bile research;
• coproovoscopy. Diagnosis of helminthiasis with this method allows you to determine the intensity of the helminth invasion;
• examination of the contents of the duodenum;
• if doctors suspect that a person is progressing with trichinosis, a muscle tissue biopsy is prescribed;
• ultrasound;
• radiography;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
• blood test to detect the presence of specific antibodies against some helminthiases.

Treatment

The main goal of treating the disease is to expel parasites 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 full diagnosis, evaluation of the test results. Treatment can be carried out both in a hospital setting and at home.

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

They should only be taken as prescribed by the treating physician and in the prescribed dosage. In the acute phase of the disease, a single dose of the drug is sufficient to eliminate helminths. But most often the treatment is carried out according to a certain scheme.

During treatment, it is important to follow these principles:

• strict compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• dietary therapy;
• all products consumed must be processed;
• where the patient is being treated, it is necessary to disinfect him regularly.

Treatment of helminthiasis in children is carried out only under stationary conditions, so that the doctor can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust therapy. It is worth noting that the disease in children is more serious, 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 soil and can also be transmitted by contact, you should observe hygiene as much as possible: wash your hands, use personal hygiene items, etc. It is also important to thoroughly process fruits and vegetables before eating them.

For prophylactic purposes, it is important to promptly identify persons infected with helminths. To this end, surveys are periodically carried out on certain categories of adults (especially workers in the food sector, the medical sector, etc. )