To get rid of parasites, you must first understand which parasites have settled inside the patient and whether they exist at all. There is a simple fingerprint test for this. If the eosinophils in it do not exceed 5, you can rest easy - there are no parasites in the body. If this indicator is higher than 5, feces are analyzed for worm eggs and treatment is prescribed according to the results of the analysis. Antiparasitic drugs have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, inflammation to liver cirrhosis, so they can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Popular symptoms attributed to the presence of parasites include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pallor, irregular bowel movements, and constipation. These symptoms are more indicative of anemia or thyroid dysfunction. If they have appeared or lasted for a while, it is best to see a doctor. And as a preventative measure - wash your hands more often.
Afraid of parasites
Many are completely honest and very afraid of the parasites that are supposed to try to get into their bodies. That’s why they’re willing to spend a lot of money on scammers who not only search for, but "find" the parasites and then "prescribe" all sorts of dietary supplements and other cures to naive victims. Some try to remove the parasites on their own using garlic, onions and horseradish - the medicines derived from them are at least safe. But what will happen to the vessel received from prospective doctors is not yet known.
The problem of parasitosis really does exist, it only exists in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. So in some Asian countries, the infection of people with opisthorchiasis reaches 80%. There, special measures are taken to disinfect food and water. But all this is not with us, tropical parasites do not survive in the domestic climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in holon regions. It spreads through fish as well as cats and dogs that feed on this fish. But today we’re going to talk about other parasites that can become completely infected in our middle lane. These parasites are round and pinworms.
Ascaris and ascariasis
Ascaris only parasites humans. The parasite is a fairly long round worm, yellowish-red in color. The length of the adult male is 15-25 cm, the female is longer-up to 20-40 cm. When roundworms enter the human body, the disease develops ascariasis. However, the gastrointestinal tract suffers to a greater extent, but damage to other organs is also possible, as well as allergic reactions. Ascariasis is quite common, affecting 60 to 85 people in every 100, 000.
The life cycle of roundworms: through the blood into the intestines
A sick person is not dangerous to the infection because the infection occurs when the egg enters the body. And the eggs come out with feces and ripen in the soil first. The egg has a dense shell so it can stay in the soil for up to seven years. Ascaris can become infected by eating vegetables, fruits or berries exposed to eggs. In the body, the parasite goes through a long cycle of movement. First, the larvae hatch from the swallowed eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. They migrate with the bloodstream to the liver, heart, and then to the lungs and from there to the pharynx. When the patient swallows them, the intestinal larvae mature into adult worms that are able to lay eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
While the larvae travel in the body, allergic manifestations come to the fore. There is also the possibility of mechanical damage to the organs through which the larvae pass - the liver, blood vessels, lungs, intestines. The patient may have high fever, rash, and pain in the liver area, and at the end of the migration phase - cough and shortness of breath. When roundworms settle in the intestines, they poison their waste material. In addition, the pointed ends of worms can injure or even pierce the intestine. Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and stool changes. In addition, malaise, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue and weight loss are observed. The presence of ascaris in the gut causes a deficiency of vitamins B6, A and C.
Diagnosis of ascariasis
Blood is taken for diagnosis for general analysis (elevated eosinophils, elevated ESR, sometimes anemia) and for antibody testing. Under a microscope, larvae are found in the sputum of patients. In the intestinal phase, ascaris eggs and sometimes the worms themselves are detected in the feces.
Medications for the treatment of ascariasis
Therapy for ascariasis does not require hospitalization except in complicated cases. Patients are assigned a diet rich in vitamins and low in fat and carbohydrates. Meals - four to five times a day. Antiparasitic drugs, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are visible.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis can be intestinal obstruction due to obstruction of the worm ball. When the ascaris climbs into the bile ducts, vomiting, jaundice, severe abdominal pain occurs on the right side. According to the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the airways are blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
The pinworms are only 0, 5-1 cm long translucent white worms, one end of their body is pointed, which explains the name. They parasitize primarily in the colon and may disappear over time without medication if self-infection does not occur. The fact is that to lay the eggs, the females descend into the anus and do so in the perianal folds and then die. In the patient, this process causes severe itching. If the patient does not wash their hands after scratching the itchy area, the egg will fall on the linen, surrounding objects, food, and may remain under the nails. The patient may swallow the pinworm eggs themselves. This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching of the anus at night, as at this time the parasite lays eggs. In case of enterobiasis, symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas production and the nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbance or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep). Pinworms can climb into the female genitals, causing irritation, pain and discharge. And it can even cough - if it penetrates the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Scraping (or application of adhesive tape) from the perianal folds is mainly used and then the resulting material is examined under a microscope. So you can find helminth eggs. During the blood test, as in the case of ascariasis, there is an increase in the number of eosinophils, with the development of complications - signs of inflammation (increased leukocytes, increased ESR). Antiparasitic drugs are used for treatment. Some are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. To reduce itching, the anus is lubricated with anesthetic. The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbiosis, appendicitis
Complications depend on the reaction of the body and the number of parasitic worms. Possible dysbiosis, appendicitis, vaginitis, salpingitis, endometritis (inflammation of the appendages).
Prevention of ascariasis and enterobiasis
Ascariasis:
- timely identification and treatment of patients;
- loosen the sandpits (eggs cannot withstand direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- thoroughly iron the garment, especially the shoots;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and sleeping space;
- It is important for children to cut their nails short.