To get rid of parasites, you must first understand which parasites have settled in the patient and whether they exist at all. To do this, there is a simple fingerprint test. If the eosinophils in it do not exceed 5, you can rest easy - there are no parasites in the body. If this indicator is greater than 5, fecal analysis for worm eggs is taken, and according to the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed. Antiparasitic drugs have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, drugs for hepatitis to cirrhosis of the liver, so they can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Popular symptoms commonly attributed to the presence of parasites include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pallor, improper bowel movements, and constipation. These symptoms are more likely to indicate anemia or thyroid failure. If they have appeared or lasted for some time, it is most reasonable to make a visit to the doctor. And as a preventative measure - wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are completely honest and are very afraid of parasites that supposedly try to enter their bodies. And so they are willing to spend a lot of money on fraudsters who not only look for, but also "find" parasites, and then "prescribe" all kinds of dietary supplements and other medicines for imaginary helminths to naive victims. Some try to remove parasites on their own with the help of garlic, onions and horseradish - medicines from them are at least safe. But it is still unknown what will be in the jar obtained from potential doctors.
The problem of parasitosis really exists, it only exists in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. Thus, in some Asian countries, the infection of people with opisthorchiasis reaches 80%. There, special measures are taken to disinfect food and water. But all that is not with us, tropical parasites do not survive in the domestic climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in the Holon regions. It is transmitted by fish, as well as to cats and dogs that feed on this fish. But today we will talk about other parasites, which are quite possible to infect in our middle lane. These parasites are roundworms and earthworms.
Ascaris and ascariasis
Ascaris parasitizes only in humans. The parasite is a rather long round worm of yellowish-reddish color. The adult male is 15-25 cm long, the female is longer - up to 20-40 cm. If roundworms penetrate the human body, the disease develops ascariasis. At the same time, the gastrointestinal tract suffers to a greater extent, but damage to other organs as well as allergic reactions are possible. Ascariasis is quite common, affecting 60-85 people in every 100, 000.
Life cycle of roundworms: through the blood to the intestines
A sick person is not dangerous in terms of infection, because infection occurs when eggs enter the body. The eggs come out with the feces and first mature in the soil. Eggs have a dense shell so they can stay in the soil for up to seven years. You can become infected if you eat vegetables, fruits or berries that have been exposed to Ascaris eggs. In the body, the parasite goes through a long cycle of movement. First, the larvae hatch from swallowed eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. They migrate through the bloodstream to the liver, the heart, then the lungs, and from there to the pharynx. When the patient swallows them, the larvae in the intestines mature into adult worms, which are able to lay eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
As the larvae travel through the body, allergic manifestations come to the fore. Mechanical damage to the organs through which the larvae pass is also possible - liver, blood vessels, lungs, intestines. The patient may have a high temperature, rash and pain in the liver area, and at the end of the migration phase - cough and difficulty breathing. When roundworms settle in the intestines, their waste products are poisoned. Also, the pointed ends of the worm can injure or even pierce the gut. Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and changes in stool. In addition, there is impaired well-being, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue and weight loss. The presence of ascaris in the intestines causes a lack of vitamins B6, A and C.
Diagnosis of ascariasis
Blood for general analysis (increased eosinophils, increased ESR, sometimes anemia) and an antibody test are taken for diagnosis. Under a microscope, larvae can be found in the patient's sputum. In the intestinal stage, ascaris eggs, and sometimes the worms themselves, are detected in the feces.
Medications for ascariasis
Treatment of ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases. Patients are prescribed a diet rich in vitamins, low in fat and carbohydrates. Food intake - four to five times a day. Drugs with antiparasitic action, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are presented.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis may be bowel obstruction due to obstruction by a worm ball. When ascaris is drawn into the biliary tract, there is vomiting, jaundice, severe abdominal pain on the right side. By the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory insufficiency when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
Pinworms are transparent white worms only 0, 5-1 cm long. One end of their body is pointed, which explains the name. They parasitize mainly in the colon and can disappear over time without medication if self-infection does not occur. The fact is that the laying females descend into the anus and do so in the perianal folds, after which they die. In patients, this process causes severe itching. If the patient does not wash his hands after scratching the itchy area, the eggs will fall on the bedding, surrounding objects, in the food and may remain under the nails. The patient can swallow pinworm eggs on his own. This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, because at that time the parasite lays eggs. With enterobiosis, symptoms from 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 enter the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain and discharge. Even cause a cough - if it penetrates the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Scraping from the perianal folds (or applying adhesive tape) is mainly used, after which the obtained material is examined under a microscope. So you can find helminth eggs. In the blood test, as in ascariasis, there will be an increase in eosinophils, with the development of complications - signs of inflammation (increased leukocytes, increased ESR). Antiparasitic drugs are used for treatment. Some of them are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. To reduce itching, the anus is lubricated with anesthetic ointment. The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbiosis, appendicitis
Complications will depend on the body’s response and the number of parasitic worms. Possible dysbiosis, appendicitis, vaginitis, salpingitis, endometritis (inflammation of the appendages).
Prevention of ascariasis and enterobiasis
Ascariasis:
- identify and treat patients in a timely manner;
- release sandboxes (eggs do not tolerate direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- iron the laundry thoroughly, especially the creases;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and a place to sleep;
- It is important for children to shorten their nails.