The presence of parasites in the body has serious health consequences. These include the development of allergies, general exhaustion and decreased immune protection, hypovitaminosis and anemia, as well as disorders of the nervous system, neuroses, insomnia and poor appetite. Proper treatment against parasites, their larvae and ova, as well as the use of drugs that restore metabolic processes that have been disrupted by the presence of uninvited guests in the body, can eliminate these manifestations.
Getting rid of parasites: general principles
First, the goal of treatment is to completely rid the body of worms and larvae. If at least one parasite remains in the body, it can lead to re-infection. Medications alone are essential, and this is due to the fact that many parasites spread through dirty hands. In this regard, even if the patient has been drinking an antiparasitic treatment while neglecting the rules of personal hygiene and being in constant contact with the source of the parasites (humans or animals), re-infection of the disease is very possible.
Therefore, the treatment of parasites consists of two mandatory components:
- Use of antiparasitic agents to remove them from the body.
- Prevention of re-infection (personal hygiene, disinfection of the house, personal belongings and surfaces, treatment of all family members, pets).
In addition, additional therapy is often required for disorders caused by the presence of the parasite in the body.
Treatment against parasites
Therapy against parasites found in the body is based on the use of antiparasitic drugs. These drugs can affect both adults and their eggs and larvae. The selection of antiparasitic drugs should be the sole responsibility of the physician after receiving the results of all necessary tests and assessing the patient's general condition. Self-sufficiency of antiparasitic agents for both treatment and prevention of worms is prohibited, and this is due to several factors. First, all antiparasitic drugs belong to a special group of chemotherapeutic agents, they have a strong toxic effect on living organisms. And the human body is no exception in this regard. Improper dosing or selection of medications can damage the liver or kidneys while not damaging helminth at all.
Second, the doctor calculates the dose based on age and weight, uses the antiparasitic drug in a short time, and uses the maximum allowable and safe dose.
Third, the results of the analysis suggest that a treatment against parasites is selected that will be effective in this particular case because different types of worms (as well as their larvae and eggs) are killed by different types of drugs.
Antiparasitic drugs: drug classification
Drugs that affect parasites and their larval forms, eggs, can be divided into several classes depending on the effect on certain groups of worms.
The first group is an antiparasitic agent that affects a group of nematodes. They are divided into two subclasses:
- Drugs active against intestinal nematodes.
- Drugs acting on extraintestinal nematode species.
The second group includes drugs that have a detrimental effect on the class of cestodes. They also fall into two subgroups:
- Drugs acting on intestinal parasites.
- Drugs that lead to the destruction of cestodes outside the intestinal lumen.
The third group includes all antiparasitic drugs that affect fluke. They are also divided into subcategories:
- Drugs acting on intestinal parasites.
- Drugs that lead to the destruction of cestodes outside the intestinal lumen.
A special place is occupied by drugs from the fourth group, which have a broad spectrum of action. This means that such an antiparasitic agent will be effective against most known helminths.
Complementary therapy: treatment of allergies, improvement of well-being
In addition to antiparasitic treatment, drugs are often used to improve the patient's condition, normalize well-being, and have an overall strengthening effect. In addition, treatment of allergies with specific agents has also been reported due to severe allergenization of the body infected with the parasites. Allergies can be exacerbated in response to the invasion and multiplication of foreign parasites during the period of mass death of the parasites. Therefore, antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to prevent exacerbation of allergies in the background of the treatment of helminthiasis.
To alleviate poisoning, remove waste products and parasite antigens, especially if you have a pronounced allergy, while taking antihistamines and sorbents while taking anthelmintics is indicated. In addition, sorbing and antiallergic therapy begin approximately three days before taking the main drug and continue for at least 5 days thereafter.
Often, helminthiasis leads to disruption of the intestinal microbial flora, so it is recommended to actively use fermented dairy products, plant foods, and prophylactic treatments for probiotics to restore normal biocenosis. During treatment, it is advisable to exclude irritating, heavy foods, dense foods and excess protein from your diet. The most useful will be soups and light vegetable stews, cereals and dairy products. It is important to consume plenty of fluids to actively remove toxins from the body.