Helminthic infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can settle in the intestines, lungs, gall bladder and bile ducts of humans.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and helminth waste leads to poisoning.Helminthiasis is also dangerous for humans because it suppresses the immune system, worsens the course of other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces the absorption capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.You can become infected with helminths by drinking dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or the air.
Classification of helminths
By location:
- Intestinal.These include ascariasis, roundworm, trichuriasis, teniargiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes insemination and parafertilization.
- Fabric.This category includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, aponeurosis and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- Spicy.Helminthiasis usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of the helminthic infestation, signs of helminthiasis are observed from 1 week to several months, then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the characteristics of the parasite species.In the presence of helminths with larval reproduction (filariasis or ringworm), allergic manifestations persist for a long time.In other forms of the disease, symptoms depend on the number, size and location of the parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis and micronutrient deficiency
Settling in the human body, parasites feed on blood and tissue juices, absorbing nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths, first of all, need trace elements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequence of helminthiasis can be the deficiency of the following trace elements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (looks like scabies or scabies), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.It leads to a decrease in immunity and can cause the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.It causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and underdevelopment of the reproductive organs.With a lack of iodine, mental retardation and even dementia are possible.
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), growth retardation 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 (clinical picture) of helminthiasis
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infestation
Characteristic signs of general allergic reactions: itchy skin rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain and indigestion.In this case, the liver and spleen increase in size and central nervous system symptoms may occur.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, the parasitism of several individuals occurs without unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taeniids, broad tape, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.With intestinal helminthiasis, pain, dyspeptic and astheneurotic syndromes are observed.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiasis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.With clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions can develop.
Helminthiasis and infectious diseases
Worm infestations increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole.Thus, parasites allow germs and viruses free access to body tissues.Helminthiasis can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.This is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.You can become infected with toxoplasmosis through a transfusion of contaminated blood, eating dishes made from uncooked meat or fish, or through contact with the feces of a patient.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or spontaneous abortion.There is a high risk of mortality among newborns infected with toxoplasmosis.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats and humans.It can be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.It affects the organs of vision, the reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is transmitted by airborne droplets, contact and sexual contact.
Archer.The disease is seen in humans, pets and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable for months in dried feces.The infection can be transmitted through contact with animal fur or through the soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergies and pathologies of the internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to recognize helminthiasis
The prevention of helminthiasis consists mainly of observing strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unknown food (fish, meat).Early identification of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.The diagnosis of helminthiasis is carried out by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.They are most often found in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, so the most common method is stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods for diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long time and therefore cannot be detected in the feces.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 to a certain part 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 a conventional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven means of getting rid of helminthic infestation and replenishing the body with essential trace elements is a complex of drugs for helminths, which allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increase immunity;
- normalization of metabolism;
- improving the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines.
- relieve the signs of allergies;
- 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.Between each month of use you must take a break of 7 days.