To get rid of parasites, you first need to understand what parasites have settled inside the patient and whether they exist at all.There is a simple finger prick blood test for this.If eosinophils do not exceed 5, you can rest assured that there are no parasites in the body.If this indicator is higher than 5, a stool test is taken for worm eggs, and based on the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed.Medicines for parasites have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, drug-induced hepatitis, even cirrhosis of the liver, so only a doctor should prescribe them.
Popular symptoms that are usually attributed to the presence of parasites include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pallor, irregular bowel movements, and constipation.These symptoms are more likely to indicate anemia or a thyroid disorder.If they appear or have been going on for some time, the most sensible thing to do is consult a doctor.And as a preventive measure, wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are quite sincerely and very much afraid of parasites, which allegedly strive to appear in their body.And therefore, they are ready to shell out a lot of money to scammers who not only look for, but also “find” parasites, and then “prescribe” all sorts of dietary supplements and other remedies for imaginary helminths to naive victims.Some try to remove parasites on their own using garlic, onions and horseradish - the drugs made from them are at least safe.But what will be in the jar received from the would-be doctors is still unknown.
The problem of parasitosis really exists, only it exists in the countries of Asia, Africa, and South America.Thus, in some Asian countries, human infection with opisthorchiasis reaches 80%.There they take special measures to disinfect water and food.But all this is not our case; tropical parasites do not survive in our climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in cold regions.It is transmitted through fish, as well as through cats and dogs that feed on this fish.But today we will talk about other parasites that are quite possible to become infected with in our middle zone.These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Roundworms and ascariasis
Roundworms parasitize only humans.The parasite is a rather long round worm of a yellowish-reddish color.The length of an adult male is 15-25 cm, the female is longer - up to 20-40 cm. If roundworms penetrate the human body, the disease ascariasis develops.In this case, the gastrointestinal tract is most affected, but other organs may also be affected, as well as allergic reactions.Ascariasis is quite widespread, affecting 60-85 people out of every 100 thousand.
Life cycle of roundworm: through the blood to the intestines
A sick person does not pose a danger in terms of infection, since infection occurs when eggs enter the body.And the eggs come out with feces and first ripen in the soil.The eggs have a dense shell, so they can remain in the soil for up to seven years.You can become infected by eating vegetables, fruits or berries that have been exposed to ascaris eggs.The parasite goes through a long cycle of movements in the body.First, larvae hatch from swallowed eggs and enter the blood through the intestinal walls.With the blood flow they migrate to the liver, to the heart, then to the lungs, and from them to the pharynx.When the patient ingests them, the larvae in the intestines mature into adult worms that are capable of laying eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
While the larvae travel through the body, allergic manifestations come to the fore.Mechanical damage to the organs through which the larvae pass—the liver, blood vessels, lungs, and intestines—is also possible.The patient may develop a high temperature, a rash and pain in the liver area, and at the end of the migration stage - cough and shortness of breath.When roundworms settle in the intestines, poisoning occurs with their waste products.Also, the pointed ends of the worms can injure or even puncture the intestine.Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and changes in stool.In addition, there is a disturbance in health, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue, and weight loss.The presence of roundworms in the intestines causes a lack of vitamins B6, A and C.
Diagnosis of ascariasis
For diagnosis, blood is taken for a general analysis (increased eosinophils, increased ESR, sometimes anemia) and an antibody test.Under a microscope, larvae can be detected in the sputum of patients.In the intestinal stage, roundworm eggs, and sometimes the worms themselves, are detected in the feces.
Medicines for ascariasis
Therapy for ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases.Patients are prescribed a diet rich in vitamins, low in fat and carbohydrates.Eating four to five times a day.Medicines with antiparasitic effects, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are indicated.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis can be intestinal obstruction due to blockage by a ball of worms.When roundworms crawl into the bile ducts, vomiting, jaundice, and severe pain in the abdomen on the right occur.By the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
Pinworms are translucent white worms only 0.5-1 cm long. One end of their body is pointed, which explains the name.They are parasitic mainly in the large intestine and can disappear over time without medication if self-infection does not occur.The fact is that to lay eggs, females descend to the anus and do this in the perianal folds, after which they die.For the patient, this process causes severe itching.If, after scratching an itchy area, the patient does not wash his hands, then the eggs will get on the linen, surrounding objects, in food, and may remain under the nails.The patient can swallow pinworm eggs himself.This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, since it is at this time that the parasite lays eggs.With enterobiasis, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas formation, and from the nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbance or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep).Pinworms can crawl into the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain, and discharge.And even cause coughing if they penetrate into the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Basically, scraping from the perianal folds (or applying adhesive tape) is used, after which the resulting material is examined under a microscope.This way you can detect helminth eggs.In a blood test, as with ascariasis, there will be an increase in eosinophils; if complications develop, there will be 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 anal area is lubricated with anesthetic ointment.The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbacteriosis, appendicitis
Complications will depend on the body's reaction and the number of parasitic worms.Dysbacteriosis, appendicitis, vaginitis, salpingitis, endometritis (inflammation of the appendages) are possible.
Prevention of ascariasis and enterobiasis
Ascariasis:
- identify and treat patients in a timely manner;
- loosen 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 folds;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and a sleeping place;
- It is important for children to cut their fingernails short.