Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can settle in the intestines, lungs, gall bladder and bile ducts of a person.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and waste products of helminths lead to intoxication.Helminthiasis is also dangerous for humans, as it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces the absorptive capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.You can become infected with helminths by drinking dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or the air.
Classification of helminthiasis
By localization:
- Intestinal.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, taeniarhynchiasis, etc.
- pulmonary.This group includes tominxosis and paragonimosis.
- Cloth.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinellosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- Spicy.Helminthiasis usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of the helminth invasion, signs of helminthosis are observed from 1 week to several months, after which the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the species characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of helminths with larval reproduction (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic manifestations last for a long time.In other forms of the disease, the symptoms depend on the number, size and location of the parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis and micronutrient deficiency
Settling in the human body, parasites feed on blood and tissue juices, absorbing nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths primarily need trace elements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequence of helminthiasis can be a deficiency of the following trace elements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (resembles scabies or scabies), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.It leads to a decrease in immunity and can provoke the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
iodine deficiency.It causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and underdevelopment of reproductive organs.In the absence of iodine, mental retardation, even dementia, is possible.
Manganese deficiency.It can cause brittle bones, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and degeneration of the genital tract.
Chromium deficiency.It causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), growth retardation and increases cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminthiasis
- fever;
- various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- infrequent stools;
- in children, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis;
- bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms (clinical picture) of helminthiasis
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic invasion
Characteristic signs of general allergic reactions: itchy skin rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain and dyspeptic disorders.In this case, the liver and spleen increase in size and central nervous system symptoms may occur.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, the parasitization of several individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taenids, broad tapeworm, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.Painful, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes are observed in intestinal helminthosis.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiosis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis can develop hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions.
Helminthiasis and infectious diseases
Worm infestations increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole.Thus, parasites allow microbes and viruses free access to body tissues.Helminthiasis can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.You can become infected with toxoplasmosis by transfusion of contaminated blood, eating meals prepared from thermally unprocessed meat or fish, or by contact with the feces of a sick person.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or miscarriage.There is a high risk of mortality among newborns infected with toxoplasmosis.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats and humans.It can be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.It affects the organs of vision, reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is transmitted by airborne, contact and sexual routes.
Taxi driver.The disease is observed in humans, domestic animals and rodents.Toxocari eggs remain viable for months in dried feces.The infection can be contracted through contact with animal fur or through soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergies and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to recognize helminthiasis
The prevention of helminthiasis consists primarily in the observance of strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat).The timely identification of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.The diagnosis of helminthiasis is carried out by identifying larvae and eggs of helminths.Most often, they are located in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, so the most common method is stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods for diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long period of time and therefore cannot be detected in the stool.The innovative method allows you to detect the presence of helminths and assess the general condition of the body using the iris of the eyes.The method is based on the fact that each organ has a projection on a certain segment of the "iris", where it transmits information about its condition through the visceral centers of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infections makes it possible to detect parasites even in cases where the conventional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven means of eliminating helminthic invasion and replenishing the body with essential trace elements is a complex of helminth drugs that allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increasing immunity;
- normalizes metabolism;
- improve the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- relief of signs of allergies;
- normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
Antiparasitic health program
To eliminate helminthiasis, it is necessary to take broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs for 3 months.Between each month of use you must take a break of 7 days.