Helminthic infections or helminthic infections are acute infectious diseases caused by the entry of specific parasites, helminths, into the body of an adult. These include flat, round, circled and others. Such pathologies have a systemic effect and almost always occur chronically. Identification of symptoms, analysis of causes and treatment of helminthic infections in adult patients is carried out by gastroenterologists with the participation of therapists, infectious diseases and other specialists as necessary.
About the disease
Currently, there are up to 70 types of helminths in our country. In total, there are up to 250 species of parasites known to science that cause helminthic infections.
The mechanism of infection is simple: parasite eggs enter the human body together with contaminated food or water, after which they are fixed in certain organs and begin to reproduce. In some cases, infection occurs through close contact of a healthy person with a carrier or through the use of sanitary items or underwear of another person. Some types of parasites are able to enter the body along with inhaled air.
The types
Considering the characteristics of the infection, experts emphasize:
- biohelminthiasis: an intermediate host is needed for the development and transmission of the pathogen;
- geohelminthiases: no intermediate host, maturation of eggs and/or larvae occurs in the soil;
- contact helminth infections: the pathogen is transmitted directly from person to person.
In a broader sense, experts identify two main groups of parasites that most often infect the human body: roundworms or nematodes and flatworms, which include tapeworms and tapeworms.
Symptoms
In the clinical course of helminthiasis in adult patients, taking into account the signs, two main stages are distinguished:
- acute, which lasts up to 2 months;
- chronic, which lasts up to several years.
Different types of helminths affect different parts of the body:
- roundworms, tapeworms of beef and pork, tapeworms - large intestines;
- trematodes - liver, bile ducts;
- echinococci, pulmonary flows - organs of the respiratory system;
- echinococci, alveococci, schistosomiasis - parts of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;
- nekators, cestodosis - circulatory system;
- trichinella, filariae - organs of the lymphatic structure.
The main symptoms of helminthiasis in adults in the acute phase are:
- muscle pain;
- increase in body temperature;
- chills;
- abdominal pain;
- flatulence and other dyspeptic phenomena;
- general deterioration of health;
- weakness;
- rapid fatigue;
- dry cough;
- dyspnea;
- increased nervousness.
Some patients notice a marked decrease in appetite, others, on the contrary, complain of a constant feeling of hunger, sometimes of a change in taste preferences.
The chronic form of helminthic infection in adults is accompanied by signs of general intoxication of the body and specific symptoms that are determined by the location of the parasites. Most often they are:
- persistent abdominal pain, worsening after eating or physical work;
- bloating;
- bloating;
- bowel disorder.
Associated symptoms include:
- constant fatigue;
- apathy;
- unmotivated weight loss;
- skin rash;
- itching of the skin;
- excessive irritability;
- bursts of appetite, alternating with complete indifference to food.
An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs reveals a marked enlargement of the liver and spleen. Using laboratory blood tests, severe iron deficiency anemia and the lack of certain minerals in the body can be determined.
When intestinal parasites migrate to nearby organs and structures, women can develop vaginitis, vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis and salpingoophoritis.
If the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are affected, the main signs of the disease will be:
- severe shortness of breath;
- frequent dry cough;
- feeling tired, weak;
- arrhythmia.
If organs of the lymphatic system are affected, enlargement of the lymph nodes and swelling of the genital and mammary glands may occur.
Causes
The main reason for the development of helminthiasis is the consumption of foods containing parasite larvae or eggs inside or on the surface:
- beef, pork, chicken and other types of raw and unprocessed meat;
- fresh redfish;
- raw eggs;
- fruits, vegetables, poorly washed fruits and herbs.
Sometimes infection occurs through drinking water that does not pass through a filtration system, and through water found in natural reservoirs and pools.
By contact, helminths can be transmitted through underwear and bed linen, common items (towels, dishes, cutlery, door handles, etc. ), as well as through the use of other people's personal hygiene products.
Diagnosing
After a general examination, collection of anamnesis and evaluation of the patient's complaints, the doctor sends the patient with suspected helminthic infection for laboratory analysis. This includes:
- clinical blood test;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- ELISA or PCR according to indications;
- specific tests to assess liver function;
- scraping for enterobiasis;
- histology of various tissues and biological fluids.
An ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen, kidneys, as well as radiography of the gastrointestinal tract is mandatory. In addition, computer imaging or magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic techniques for examining different parts of the intestine, and other procedures may be used.
Expert opinion
The prevalence of helminthiasis in some regions of the country reaches 10%. This is not only due to the poor quality of food products, but also due to non-compliance with basic safety rules. You should not eat raw meat and fish, or buy goods, especially semi-prepared and ready-made foods, from dubious retail outlets. It is necessary to thoroughly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap before eating, as well as fruits, vegetables and other fruits of nature, even if they are grown with your hands in your garden. There may be contaminated feces in the soil, in which helminth eggs are perfectly preserved for a long time. If signs of the disease or symptoms that may indicate helminthiasis appear, it is necessary to seek treatment from qualified specialists and in no case do not use traditional methods.
Treatment
In the vast majority of cases, hospitalization of patients is not required for adequate therapy. Treatment of helminthiasis in adults is carried out on an outpatient basis under the supervision of a doctor and with regular laboratory tests. In a hospital setting, only those who have developed a complication due to helminthic infection or whose condition has been aggravated by chronic systemic diseases undergo therapy.
The basis of treatment are anthelmintic drugs of different spectrum of action. The dose, regimen and specific type of drug are selected only by the attending physician, based on the data of laboratory tests, weight and age of the patient.
In addition, the following may be assigned:
- detoxification measures;
- antipyretics;
- antiallergic and antipruritic drugs;
- diuretics for edema.
Patients are advised to follow a light diet with restriction of heavy foods, fried, smoked and pickled foods, which can have an additional irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Preventing
The following measures are recommended as preventive measures:
- check the quality of drinking water using boiled, carefully filtered or bottled water;
- do not eat raw meat and fish;
- buy food products at official retail outlets;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs before eating;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- regularly carry out wet cleaning in areas where pets live;
- do not eat fruit from the garden without washing it;
- treat pets for parasites.
People who are constantly in contact with the earth, animals, often go fishing and hunting, or visit countries or regions with a low standard of living, should take preventive medication twice a year for safety reasons. Your doctor will show you how to do this correctly and which medications to use during a personal consultation.
Question and answer
Is it possible to get infected with helminths through sexual contact?
Yes, if the partner is infected and does not take good care of personal hygiene. This can also happen during anal sex.
What happens if helminthiasis is not treated?
Nothing good. The consequences of invasion can be serious chronic and acute diseases, including pneumonia, abscess and cirrhosis of the liver, ascites, hepatitis, as well as sepsis, peritonitis and a number of other dangerous conditions.
Is it possible to completely cure helminthiasis?
The prognosis for most helminthiasis is favorable. A worsening prognosis is observed with the development of complications. An unfavorable prognosis for cysticercosis of the central nervous system, eyes, as well as for echinococcosis, if surgical treatment is impossible.
Which doctor treats helminthic infections?
A gastroenterologist deals with diseases of this group. If the patient has chronic pathology, a specialized specialist is involved, for example, an endocrinologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, etc. If necessary, a general practitioner also participates, while when treating children, a pediatrician.
What is fascioliasis?
This is a helminthic infection caused by worms from the trematode genus. This helminth parasitizes cells of the liver and hepatobiliary tract. How does a person become infected? Through infected water, as well as through the consumption of lettuce, parsley, etc. These plants can harbor parasite larvae. The disease occurs in 2 phases - acute and chronic. In the acute phase, there may be high fever, skin rash, allergic lung damage, enlarged liver and spleen, and increased levels of eosinophils in the blood. Symptoms of the chronic phase are determined by the involvement of the hepatobiliary tract in the pathological process.