To get rid of parasites, you must first understand what parasites are located inside the patient and if they exist at all.There is a simple finger prick blood test for this.If eosinophils do not exceed 5, you can be sure that there are no parasites in the body.If this indicator is higher than 5, a stool test is done 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 they should only be prescribed by a doctor.
Common symptoms commonly attributed to the presence of parasites include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, paleness, irregular bowel movements and constipation.These symptoms are more likely to indicate anemia or thyroid disorders.If they appear or have lasted for some time, the most reasonable thing to do is to consult a doctor.And as a preventive measure, wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are quite honest and very afraid of parasites, which allegedly try to appear in their bodies.And for this reason, they are ready to pour a lot of money to fraudsters who not only look for, but also "find" parasites, and then "prescribe" all kinds of dietary supplements and other means for imaginary helminths to naive victims.Some try to get rid of the parasites themselves using garlic, onions and horseradish - the remedies made from them are at least safe.But it is still unknown what will be in the jar received by potential doctors.
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 eat this fish.But today we will talk about other parasites that are quite likely to infect our middle zone.These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Roundworms and ascariasis
Roundworms only parasitize humans.The parasite is a rather long round worm with 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 develops ascariasis.In this case, the gastrointestinal tract is mostly affected, but other organs can also be affected, as well as allergic reactions.Ascariasis is quite widespread, affecting 60-85 people in every 100 thousand.
Roundworm life cycle: through the blood into the intestines
A sick person does not pose a risk in terms of infection, since infection occurs when the eggs enter the body.And the eggs come out in the feces and ripen first on the ground.The eggs have a dense shell, so they can stay in the ground 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, the larvae emerge from the ingested eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls.With the flow of blood, they migrate to the liver, heart, then to the lungs and from them to the pharynx.When the patient swallows them, the larvae in the intestine mature into adult worms that are capable of laying eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
As the larvae travel through the body, allergic manifestations emerge.Mechanical damage to the organs through which the larvae pass - the liver, blood vessels, lungs and intestines - is also possible.The patient may develop high fever, redness and pain in the liver area, and at the end of the migration phase - cough and shortness of breath.When roundworms settle in the intestines, poisoning occurs with their remains.Also, the sharp edges of the worms can damage 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 deficiency 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 patients' sputum.In the intestinal stage, roundworm eggs, and sometimes the worms themselves, are detected in the feces.
Medicines for ascariasis
Ascariasis therapy does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases.Patients are prescribed a diet rich in vitamins, low in fat and carbohydrates.Eat four to five times a day.Antiparasitic drugs, 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 right abdomen occur.By the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Worms and enterobiasis
Red worms 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 colon and may disappear over time without treatment unless self-infection occurs.The fact is that in order to lay eggs, females descend into 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 into clothes, surrounding objects, food and may remain under the nails.The patient may ingest the worm eggs themselves.This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, as it is at this time that the parasite lays eggs.With enterobiasis, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, vomiting, increased gas formation, and from the nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbance or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep).Worms can crawl into the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain and discharge.And they even cause coughing if they penetrate 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.In 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 smeared 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 the sand boxes (eggs do not tolerate direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- iron the clothes thoroughly, especially the folds;
- clean the apartment with disinfectant;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and a place to sleep;
- It is important for children to cut their nails short.