To get rid of parasites, you first need to understand which parasites have settled inside the patient and whether they exist.There is a simple finger prick blood test for this.If eosinophils do not exceed 5, you can be sure that there are no parasites in the body.If this indicator is more than 5, a fecal test is done to detect worm eggs and, based on the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed.Parasite medications have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, drug-induced hepatitis and even liver cirrhosis, so only a doctor should prescribe them.
Popular symptoms often attributed to the presence of parasites include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, paleness, irregular bowel movements, and constipation.These symptoms are more likely to indicate anemia or a thyroid disorder.If they appear or have persisted for some time, the wisest thing to do is to consult a doctor.And as a preventive measure, wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are very and sincerely afraid of parasites, which supposedly strive to appear on their bodies.And therefore they are ready to shell out a lot of money to scammers who not only look for, but also “find” parasites and then “prescribe” all kinds of dietary supplements and other remedies for imaginary helminths to naive victims.Some try to remove parasites on their own using garlic, onions and horseradish - medicines made from them are at least safe.But it is not yet known what will be in the vial received from aspiring doctors.
The problem of parasitosis really exists, it only exists in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. Thus, in some Asian countries, human infection with opisthorchiasis reaches 80%.There they take special measures to disinfect water and food.But all this is not our case;tropical parasites do not survive in our climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in cold regions.It is transmitted through fish, as well as through dogs and cats that feed on these fish.But today we will talk about other parasites that are quite possible to be infected in our intermediate zone.These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Roundworms and ascariasis
Roundworms only parasitize humans.The parasite is a rather long round worm, yellowish-reddish in color.The length of an adult male is 15-25 cm, the female is longer - up to 20-40 cm.If roundworms penetrate the human body, the disease ascariasis develops.In this case, the gastrointestinal tract is most affected, but other organs can also be affected, as well as allergic reactions.Ascariasis is quite widespread, affecting 60-85 people in every 100,000.
Roundworm life cycle: from blood to intestine
A sick person does not pose a danger in terms of infection, since infection occurs when eggs enter the body.And the eggs come out with the feces and mature first in the soil.The eggs have a dense shell and can remain in the soil for up to seven years.You can become infected by eating vegetables, fruits or berries that have been exposed to ascaris eggs.The parasite goes through a long cycle of movements in the body.First, larvae hatch from swallowed eggs and enter the blood through the intestinal walls.With the blood flow they migrate to the liver, to the heart, then to the lungs and from there to the pharynx.When the patient ingests them, the larvae in the intestine mature and transform into adult worms capable of laying eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
As the larvae travel through the body, allergic manifestations come to the surface.Mechanical damage to the organs the larvae pass through – the liver, blood vessels, lungs and intestines – is also possible.The patient may develop a high fever, rash and pain in the liver region and, at the end of the migration phase, cough and shortness of breath.When roundworms settle in the intestines, poisoning occurs with their waste products.Furthermore, the sharp ends of the worms can injure or even perforate the intestine.Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite and changes in stool.In addition, health disorders, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue and weight loss occur.The presence of roundworms in the intestine causes a lack of vitamins B6, A and C.
Diagnosis of ascariasis
For diagnosis, blood is taken for a general analysis (increased eosinophils, increased ESR, sometimes anemia) and an antibody test.Under a microscope, larvae can be detected in patients' sputum.In the intestinal phase, roundworm eggs and sometimes the worms themselves are detected in the feces.
Medicines for ascariasis
Therapy for ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases.Patients receive a diet rich in vitamins, low in fats and carbohydrates.Eat four to five times a day.Medicines with antiparasitic effects, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are indicated.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis can be intestinal obstruction due to blockage by a ball of worms.When roundworms crawl into the bile ducts, vomiting, jaundice and severe pain in the abdomen on the right occur.By the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
Pinworms are translucent white worms just 0.5-1 cm long.One end of the body is pointed, which explains the name.They are parasites mainly in the large intestine and can disappear over time without medication, if self-infection does not occur.The fact is that to lay eggs, females descend to the anus and do so in the perianal folds, after which they die.For the patient, this process causes intense itching.If, after scratching an itchy area, the patient does not wash his hands, the eggs will remain on the bedding, on surrounding objects, in food and may remain under the nails.The patient himself can swallow pinworm eggs.This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is intense itching in the anus at night, as this is when the parasite lays eggs.With enterobiasis, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas formation and from the nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbances or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep).Pinworms can enter the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain and discharge.And even cause coughing if they penetrate the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Basically, scraping of the perianal folds (or application of adhesive tape) is used, after which the resulting material is examined under a microscope.This way you can detect helminth eggs.In the blood test, as in ascariasis, there will be an increase in eosinophils;if complications arise, there will be signs of inflammation (increased leukocytes, increased ESR).Antiparasitic medications are used for treatment.Some of them are contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women.To reduce itching, the anal area is lubricated with anesthetic ointment.The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbiosis, appendicitis
Complications will depend on the body's reaction and the number of parasitic worms.Dysbiosis, appendicitis, vaginitis, salpingitis, endometritis (inflammation of the appendages) are possible.
Prevention of ascariasis and enterobiasis
Ascariasis:
- identify and treat patients in a timely manner;
- loosen litter boxes (eggs do not tolerate direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- iron the clothes well, especially the folds;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and a place to sleep;
- It is important for children to cut their nails short.