According to statistics, more than 1 billion people are infected with ascariasis, a parasitic disease . The causative agent, while in the human body, has an extremely negative effect on it. Ascaridosis is most often diagnosed in children, due to their habit of sticking dirty fingers and toys into their mouths. But in adults, the disease is not uncommon. If you suspect the presence of parasites in the body, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination, since the vital activity of these pathogens can even lead to death.
Pathogen
The disease causes roundworm - a roundworm belonging to the class of nematodes. Its length can reach 40 cm.
The stages of development of the pathogen:
- Egg. The female lays it exclusively in the human small intestine. After this, the egg comes out with feces and its maturation occurs in the soil. In favorable conditions, the process of larval formation is started. She is the most contagious.
- Larva. It penetrates the human body and develops in it. The larva can exist not only in the large intestine, it easily makes holes in its walls and moves throughout the body: vessels, liver, respiratory tract, etc. The duration of this stage is about two weeks.
- Adult Develops from a larva. Lays eggs in the small intestine.
The life cycle of the pathogen is approximately 1 year.
Routes of entry into the body
Regarding how they get infected with ascariasis: doctors unanimously argue that through soil and water. At risk are small children and people who eat poorly washed vegetables and fruits, as well as people who are constantly in contact with the land (for example, farmers and agricultural workers).
In addition, helminths easily penetrate the body along with contaminated water. Infection also occurs from a sick person to a healthy contact way.
Symptoms in adults
The severity of signs of ascariasis depends on the stage of the disease.
At the stage of migration, the pathogen releases toxic substances. In this regard, at this stage, the symptoms of ascariasis are similar to signs of an allergic reaction:
- fever;
- weakness;
- aching muscles and joints;
- small rashes on the skin;
- cough.
Since at the migration stage the larvae penetrate the lungs and upper respiratory tract, a person may suspect bronchitis or pneumonia. In addition, the patient sometimes has low blood pressure. The duration of this stage is an average of 2 weeks.
After this, the pathology passes into the intestinal stage, in which the following changes occur in the body:
- Nutrient deficiency develops. This is due to the fact that roundworms consume a large amount of vitamins and minerals. In humans, body weight decreases, despite the fact that the amount of food remains the same. Against the background of these processes, anemia develops, destruction of the cells of the central nervous system occurs, and a malfunction in metabolic processes occurs. At this stage, a person is concerned about the following symptoms of ascariasis: fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory impairment, rash of unknown origin. With severe invasion, muscle cramps may occur.
- An inflammatory process develops in the intestinal mucosa. This is due to the constant exposure of helminths to it. In adults, the symptoms of ascariasis in this case are as follows: loss of appetite, periodically occurring pains in the epigastric region, bloating, nausea, and stool disorders.
The severity of symptoms also depends on the amount of roundworms in the body. If there are few of them, a person may not feel any disturbing symptoms. With mass infection, a significant deterioration in overall health occurs.
Symptoms in children
At the migration stage, the child may have the following signs of the disease:
- fever;
- chest pain
- dry cough;
- rarely - sputum mixed with blood.
At the intestinal stage, the following symptoms of ascariasis in children appear:
- pain in the epigastric zone;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- disorders of the stool and other signs of disruption of the digestive system;
- a sharp decrease in body weight;
- rash.
For a fragile child's body, ascariasis is extremely dangerous. When moving, the pathogen damages the walls of blood vessels and tissues of internal organs. In addition, the degree of toxic load on the children's body is also very high.
Diagnostics
At the first alarming symptoms, it is necessary to consult a therapist, and parents should show the child a pediatrician. The specialist will collect a history and draw up a referral for a thorough examination, according to the results of which he will make the most effective treatment regimen. In some cases, the doctor may recommend contacting an infectious disease specialist.
In the process of admission, the doctor conducts the initial diagnosis of ascariasis in humans, including:
- Interview. The specialist must provide information on the severity of the disturbing symptoms and how long they appeared, whether there was contact with a possible source of infection before they occurred.
- Inspection The doctor assesses the condition of the skin and carries out palpation of the liver and spleen, as they can be increased in size.
Based on the results of the initial diagnosis, the specialist sends for examination using laboratory and instrumental methods.
The first include:
- General blood analysis. In the presence of ascariasis, the erythrocyte count in the blood decreases, hemoglobin decreases. This process occurs due to intoxication and a deficiency in the body of nutrients. In addition, an increase in the level of eosinophils occurs in the blood - substances whose task is to neutralize the histamine released during the life of the pathogen.
- Polymerase chain reaction. This is a highly accurate and informative blood test method, during which the presence of antibodies to parasite larvae is detected.
- Analysis of feces for worm eggs. It consists in the study of feces under a microscope in the laboratory. Round eggs indicate the presence of adults in the body. To obtain the most reliable result, you must follow all the rules for collecting biomaterial and pass it several times. This is due to the fact that at certain periods eggs may be absent (for example, if the breeding cycle is violated or is completed).
- Sputum analysis. This study is not always prescribed, but with its help it is possible to detect larvae during the process of their migration to the upper respiratory tract.
- Biochemical analysis of urine. During the study, volatile fatty acids, which are the end products of metabolism in roundworms, are detected.
Based on the results of the above tests, ascariasis is diagnosed. Additionally, an x-ray may be prescribed. With its help, it is possible to identify changes in the inflammatory nature of the lungs, as they persist for a long time and are clearly visible in the pictures.
An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs is not always advisable due to the fact that the diagnosis of the intestinal stage of development is not difficult: traces of the presence of the pathogen are easily detected by analysis of feces, blood and urine.
Treatment
The goal of therapeutic measures is the complete destruction of both parasites and their eggs in the body. For this, the doctor prescribes modern anthelmintic drugs with a wide spectrum of action. Additionally, medications are indicated that eliminate the symptoms of intoxication and normalize the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. It is important to understand that the treatment regimen for ascariasis should be drawn up exclusively by a specialist. Only he can adequately assess the feasibility of taking a particular drug and calculate a single dosage for the patient.
As a rule, specialists prescribe the following anthelmintic agents:
- Intoxic The composition of the drug is represented by effective natural ingredients. They help get rid of intoxication and symptoms of ascariasis in adults, removing parasites and their eggs from the body. In addition, the tool contains additional substances that restore the functioning of systems affected by helminths.
- "Bactefort." This drug is available in the form of drops. It has the following effect: it destroys parasites both at the migratory and intestinal stages of their development, promotes the elimination of eggs from the body, cleanses the blood of toxic compounds, eliminates allergy symptoms and restores the normal intestinal microflora. The drug is safe, since it contains natural ingredients.
- Helmifort. The tool is detrimental to both eggs and parasites. In addition, it restores the body and promotes the speedy removal of toxic compounds from it. The manufacturer focuses on the safety of the drug and the absence of side effects while taking it.
- Vermox. The tool is effective not only against roundworms, but also many other parasites. It is prescribed at an early stage of the development of the disease.
- The Dekaris. The active substance of the drug paralyzes parasites and inhibits the metabolic processes occurring in them. Due to this, roundworms are excreted from the body in a short time.
- "Pirantel." The tool is effective against most types of helminths. The degree of activity of the active substance does not depend on the stage of the disease - the drug destroys parasites at any stage of their development.
- Nemozol. The drug is available in the form of a suspension and tablets. With ascariasis, Nemozol has a complex effect on the body: restores it, destroys and removes parasites, eliminates allergy symptoms. This tool in the form of a suspension is prescribed even to small children.
Currently, many drugs are being produced that eliminate the symptoms of ascariasis and contribute to the rapid elimination of helminths from the body. But it is important to understand that this or that remedy should be prescribed only by a doctor based on the results of the examination and taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s health. This is due to the presence of contraindications and serious side effects.
Alternative methods of treatment
Unconventional methods do not eliminate the need to seek qualified medical help. This is especially true for young children, in whom the most serious consequence of the disease can be fatal. In addition, the use of any non-traditional methods should be agreed with the doctor so that they do not worsen the course of the pathology and do not reduce the effectiveness of medications.
The most effective recipes for alternative treatment of ascariasis:
- Peel 1 large or medium-sized head of garlic and chop it. Pour 200 ml of milk and put the container on a slow fire. Remove it from the stove after about 10 minutes. Cool and strain the resulting broth. It must be used as an enema daily for 7 days. This effective remedy for ascaridosis can be taken orally, but in this case, you just need to pour the most chopped garlic with milk and drink the resulting mixture. After 1-2 hours, it is recommended to use a laxative.
- Prepare 0.5 kg of peeled pumpkin seeds and chop them. Pour them with a small amount of boiled water so that the consistency turns out to be mushy. The resulting product must be taken on an empty stomach in small portions. In this case, it is advisable to consume the entire amount obtained in 50-60 minutes. After 3 hours after administration, it is necessary to drink magnesia previously diluted with water and put a cleansing enema.
- Take 1 onion, chop it as much as possible and pour it with either water or alcohol. Remove the container in a dark place and let it stand for 10 days. After the specified time, the solution should be taken twice a day for 2 tablespoons. The course of treatment should not exceed 5 days.
- Prepare wormwood and pumpkin seeds. Mix the ingredients in a ratio of 1: 1 and pour them with vodka (1: 3). Remove the container in a dark place and let it brew for 7 days. Then the remedy (2 tablespoons) must be taken half an hour before the meal.
- Grind a few walnuts, preferably unripe. Pour them with 200 ml of boiling water, add a little salt and leave for 30 minutes. The resulting infusion should be consumed several times a day in small portions.
Alternative treatment is not recommended for young children. It is necessary to accept only the means recommended by the doctor.
If not treated?
The risk of all kinds of complications is especially great in children, but in adults, negative consequences are often diagnosed.
These include:
- Disturbance of the digestive process. Parasites can block the intestinal lumen, as a result of which the pressure in it increases, blood vessels are compressed, and toxic compounds accumulate. Against this background, vomiting is added to the symptoms of ascariasis, which does not bring a sense of relief.
- Peritonitis. In the gastrointestinal tract, roundworms can form a ball consisting of numerous individuals. As a result, obstruction and inflammation develop. This condition requires immediate surgical intervention, during which a ball of parasites is removed.
- Cholecystitis. It occurs with the penetration of roundworm into the gallbladder. As a result, the outflow of secretion into the intestine is disrupted. This leads to stagnation of bile and the development of inflammatory processes in the liver. In this case, the following symptoms are found in a person: the skin becomes yellowish, the right hypochondrium pains after eating food, and after eating fatty and fried foods, vomiting occurs.
- Appendicitis. The development of an acute inflammatory process occurs with the penetration of parasites into the appendix.
Rarely, but it also happens that roundworms enter the general bloodstream and affect the heart muscle. In this case, death occurs.
Prevention
Ascaridosis is a disease that can be avoided by observing standard hygiene rules. All activities are aimed at preventing infection.
For the prevention of ascariasis, it is necessary:
- Identify people who are believed to be carriers of parasites in a timely manner. This measure is especially relevant for preschool institutions. Its implementation is to regularly conduct medical examinations with a sampling of biomaterial for analysis.
- Follow basic hygiene rules: wash hands using soap after going to the toilet and before eating; pour boiling water over raw vegetables and fruits; trim your nails in a timely manner; change underwear regularly.
- Take anthelmintic drugs twice a year for prevention.
- In the area of parasite spreading, it is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning with the use of disinfectants containing chlorine.
The implementation of preventive measures and the observance of hygiene rules significantly reduce the risk of infection with roundworms and other types of helminths.
Finally
The term "ascariasis" refers to the invasion of the human body by nematodes - roundworms, which can reach a length of 40 cm. With a small number of them, the clinical picture of the disease may be absent, but if there are many adults, a person notes a significant deterioration in overall health. When the first alarming symptoms appear, you need to contact a therapist who will conduct a survey and examination, as well as draw up a referral for examination. Based on the results of the diagnosis, he will draw up a treatment regimen that includes the use of modern anthelmintic agents and antihistamines. In some cases, consultation with an infectious disease specialist may be necessary .