Helminthiasis

Helminth infestation is a pathology that develops in humans and representatives of flora and fauna. The reason for its appearance is helminth infection.

Why do helminthiases develop?

Today in the Russian Federation, about 70 varieties of helminths can be found out of the 250 existing species, all capable of parasitizing the human body. Particularly common are roundworms and pinworms (so-called roundworms), porcine and bovine tapeworms, which are related to tapeworms, and trematodes (cat flukes).

Infestation occurs after the eggs or larvae of the parasites enter the body. Depending on the method of infection and transmission characteristics, there are geohelminths that have no intermediate recipients, biohelminths that successively replace multiple hosts, as well as contact parasites that are transmitted through contact of one individual with another.

Therefore, porcine and bovine tapeworms change several "owners" - this is how their development occurs. Such intermediate individuals are fish and insects. A person contracts helminths by eating non-heat-processed foods, including:

1. Pork and beef.
2. Raw fish (parasites are sometimes also found in unsalted products).
3. Untreated water, as well as fruits and vegetables washed with contaminated water.

Ascaris and necator have no "intermediate" owners. Their eggs and larvae enter the soil together with feces. Pathogens enter the host's body when hygiene rules are violated

It is worth mentioning the contact path separately. This is the interaction of a healthy organism with an infected one (for example, if people use shared utensils or hygiene products or inhale dust in a room with a pathogen). With enterobiasis, autoinfection is also observed (if a person touches his mouth with dirty hands).

Helminths can develop in various organs:

1. Colon. Bovine and porcine tapeworms, as well as pinworms, usually develop here. From this organ the larvae can penetrate the general circulatory system and spread to other organs (e. g. penetrate the brain or eyes).
2. Liver. Trematodes parasitize here. Once pathogen cysts have ruptured, they can also be seen in the peritoneum or spleen.
3. Respiratory system (for example, lung fluke or echinococcus).
4. Nervous system (individuals of the schistosomiasis group parasitize here).
5. Visual organs (laosis and taeniasis).
6. Skin (loiasis and schistosomiasis in the form of larvae).
7. Bone tissue (echinococcosis).

The lifespan of parasites can vary, usually from a few weeks to several years. Some pathogens can live in the human body for decades.

Classification

Depending on the type of parasite, worms can be round, flat, ribbon and also include flukes. Parasites are also divided according to how they spread (for example via an intermediate connection or by contact).

Symptoms

Parasites have several effects on the human body:

1. Development of allergic reactions, local or general.
2. Toxic influence. The waste products of these individuals lead to weakness, poor health and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Injuries. When parasites attach to the intestinal wall, blood circulation is disrupted, subsequently necrotic processes develop and the mucosa atrophies. The vital activity of helminths leads to compression of soft tissues.
4. Secondary inflammatory process due to addition of bacteria.
5. Metabolic disorder.
6. Because some parasites feed on blood, anemia can develop.
7. Helminths irritate nerve endings, which leads to coughing, spasms of the respiratory system and impaired intestinal function.
8. Insomnia, neurosis.
9. Immune suppression.

Helminthiasis develops in several stages, and each of them is characterized by its own symptoms.

The first phase is acute, during which the pathogens have not yet laid their eggs. It is characterized by sensitization, when the body produces antibodies, reacts to the inflammatory process, and the vascular wall becomes more fragile. The larvae begin to migrate into the organs, causing trauma to the soft tissues. At this stage clinical manifestations may be absent, but sometimes the symptoms are quite pronounced. The duration of the acute phase is 1-4 months, in some cases it can reach a year.

During this period, patients complain of the following manifestations:

1. Fever with weakness and profuse sweating.
2. Skin rashes accompanied by itching.
3. Swelling.
4. Swollen lymph nodes.
5. Painful sensations in the joints and muscles.
6. Cough with attacks of suffocation. Chronic bronchitis, asthma syndrome, and coughing up blood may develop.
7. Painful sensations in the abdomen, nausea, stool disorders.

Once this phase is completed, allergic reactions become less pronounced.

Then the subacute phase begins, when helminths gradually develop. Subsequently, the disease enters the chronic phase, and the pathogens become sexually mature individuals. The exact clinical picture depends on the group of organs affected, the size and number of the parasites. Therefore, intestinal symptoms, feeling of extreme tiredness, increased irritability and manifestations of aggression often occur. Enterobiasis is characterized by nocturnal itching in the perianal area; if the number of parasites is too high, intestinal obstruction can develop;

Features of diagnosis and therapy

When making a diagnosis, the patient's complaints are studied and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies are analyzed. The acute stage is characterized by a certain reaction of the blood to the presence of a pathogen in the body. The patient is advised to undergo a general blood test and biochemistry. A stool test for helminths and enterobiasis is also required. The doctor prescribes careful laboratory tests depending on the symptoms of the disease.

Further studies include:

1. X-ray of the chest organs.
2. Ultrasound or computed tomography of the peritoneal organs and chest.
3. Computed tomography of the brain.

If you suspect you have helminthiasis, make an appointment with your GP, who can refer you to a highly specialized doctor.

Most patients do not require hospitalization. If helminths have penetrated the soft tissues, the disease proceeds with complications, so hospital treatment will be required.

For treatment, drugs with anthelmintic effect are prescribed. The exact dosage is determined only by your doctor; depends on the stage of the disease, the age and weight of the patient.

Also prescribed are anti-allergic drugs, body detoxifiers and vitamin preparations to strengthen the immune system. In case of high body temperature and severe pain, the doctor prescribes drugs from the NSAID group that eliminate swelling with the help of diuretics; In severe stages, treatment with hormonal drugs will be necessary to eliminate allergies and improve the patient's well-being.

Prevention measures

To avoid the occurrence of helminthiasis, adhere to the following prevention recommendations:

1. Maintain personal hygiene carefully. Do not use other people's towels, toothbrushes or other personal items.
2. Use only purified, high-quality water for drinking and hygiene procedures.
3. Timely carry out vaccination and prevention of helminths in pets.
4. Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
5. Ensure adequate heat treatment of meat and fish.

Before traveling to an exotic country or a children's camp, you can take special drugs to prevent helminthiasis. If you often travel to exotic countries or have pets, it is better to undergo preventive treatment for the whole family twice a year.