Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can settle in human intestines, lungs, gall bladder and bile ducts.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and the remains of helminths cause intoxication.Helminthosis is also dangerous for humans, as it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, causes increased fatigue, reduces the absorption capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or through the air.
Classification of helminths
By localization:
- intestinal.These are: ascaridosis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, tenyarynchiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes tominxosis and paragonimiasis.
- cloth.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Heptobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- Spicy.Helminthosis usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of helminth infestation, signs of helminthosis are observed from 1 week to several months, then the disease becomes chronic.
- chronic.Clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the specific 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.
Helminthosis and deficiency of microelements
When living in the human body, parasites feed on blood and tissue juices, absorbing nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths primarily need microelements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The result of helminthiasis can be a lack of the following microelements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (looks like scales or scales), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.Causes 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, decreased puberty and underdevelopment of reproductive organs.Iodine deficiency can cause mental retardation, even dementia.
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), stunted growth and increases cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminthiasis
- Fever
- various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- loose stools;
- in children, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis;
- bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- Meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis (clinical picture).
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infestation
Typical signs of general allergic reactions: itchy skin rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain in muscles and joints.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of lung syndrome, abdominal pain and dyspeptic disorders.In this case, the liver and spleen increase in size, and symptoms from the central nervous system may appear.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, parasitism of several individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthosis are manifested in the presence of large worms (taeniids, broad tapeworms, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.Intestinal helminthiasis is characterized by pain, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiasis is characterized by nighttime itching in the anus.During clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal injuries can develop.
Helminthosis and infectious diseases
Worm poisoning increases the risk of infectious diseases.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole.Thus, parasites allow microbes and viruses free access to body tissues.Helminthosis can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.Toxoplasmosis can be contracted through transfusion of contaminated blood, eating food made from uncooked meat and fish, or contact with patient feces.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or miscarriage.Infants infected with toxoplasmosis have a high risk of death.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats and humans.May be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.Affects organs of vision, reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is transmitted by airborne droplets, contact, and sexual contact.
Toxocara.The disease is observed in humans, domestic animals and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable in dried feces for months.Infection can occur through contact with animal fur or through soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergy and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to recognize helminthiasis
Prevention of helminthiasis, first of all, involves compliance with strict hygiene standards.It is not allowed to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unknown food (fish, meat).Timely identification of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.Diagnosis of helminthiasis is carried out by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.Most often, they are localized in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, so the most common method is stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods of diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long 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 usual test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven way to get rid of helminthic infestation and replenish the body with essential microelements is a complex of helminthic drugs, which allows you to improve health in several key areas at the same time:
- increase immunity;
- normalization of metabolism;
- improving the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- relieve allergy symptoms;
- Normalization of 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.A 7-day break is required between each month of use.