Helminth 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 products lead to intoxication.Helminthosis is also dangerous for humans because it suppresses the immune system, complicates the course of other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces the absorptive capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.You can get 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 helminthiasis
By localization:
- Intestinal.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, teniarynchiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes tomincosis and paragonymia.
- Factory.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
by phase:
- Spicy.Helminthiasis usually occurs 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of helminthic infestation, signs of helminthiasis are observed from 1 week to several months, and then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.Clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the characteristics of the parasite species.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 parasite 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 primarily need microelements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequence of helminthiasis can be a lack of the following microelements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (similar to scab 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, puberty disorder and underdevelopment of reproductive organs.With a lack of iodine, mental retardation, even dementia, is possible.
Manganese deficiency.It can cause brittle bones, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and degeneration of the genital tract.
Lack of chromium.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 helminthosis
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infestation
Characteristic signs of general allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain in muscles and joints.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain and dyspeptic disorders.In this case, the liver and spleen enlarge, and symptoms from the central nervous system may appear.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthosis, parasitism of several individual individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthosis appear in the presence of large worms (taeniids, broad tapeworm, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.Pain, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes are observed in intestinal helminthiasis.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiasis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.Hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions can develop with clonorrhoea and opistorrhoea.
Helminthosis and infectious diseases
Worm infestations increase the risk of infection.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole.Thus, parasites allow microbes 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.Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by transfusion of contaminated blood, eating food made from uncooked meat or fish, or contact with patient's feces.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or miscarriage.There is a high risk of mortality in 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.
Toxocara.The disease is observed in humans, domestic animals and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable for months in dried feces.The infection can be contracted through contact with animal fur or through soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergies and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and therapy of helminthiasis
How to recognize helminthosis
Prevention of helminthiasis primarily consists in observing strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unfamiliar food (fish, meat).Timely identification of persons 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 localized in different 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 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 infection allows the detection of parasites even in cases where the conventional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven means of eliminating helminthic infestation and replenishing the body with essential microelements is a complex of drugs for helminths, which allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increase immunity;
- normalize metabolism;
- improve the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- alleviation of 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.You must take a break of 7 days between each month of use.