Helminthiasis is a whole group of diseases that arise as a result of the vital activity of parasitic multicellular organisms inside a person. They relate to the lower worms. Currently, more than 250 species of these parasites are known. It is worth noting that helminths are the main cause of the development of many diseases. According to statistics, in Europe every third inhabitant is infected with these parasites. Therefore, helminthiasis is the most common disease in the world.
Symptoms of ailment
If we talk about the clinical picture, then at the moment there are several forms of the disease: acute and chronic. The first symptoms do not appear immediately. This usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. In this case, there are signs that are characteristic of the acute form. The main symptoms and consequences:
- Loose stool.
- Inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
- Conjunctivitis.
- Swelling of the face.
- All kinds of rashes on the skin.
- Meningoencephalitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Myocarditis.
- Pneumonia, lung infiltrates, bronchospasm.
- In children - lymphadenitis and tonsillitis.
It is worth noting that similar symptoms develop with various types of helminthiasis. Most often, there are only a few signs. There is a similar manifestation of the disease for only seven days. In some cases, symptoms may be present for about a month. As for the chronic form, human helminthiases appear in this case, depending on the type of pathogen.
The main signs of the disease
Helminthiasis is an ailment that can manifest itself in completely different ways. However, there are common signs that appear on the part of peripheral blood. In the acute form of the disease, pronounced eosinophilia often occurs. It is this symptom that allows you to very quickly determine the presence of parasites in the human body. In this case, the eosinophil count can range from 80 to 90%. At the same time, the content of leukocytes in the blood rises. If the disease is severe, then the concentration of eosinophils can significantly decrease. This is an unfavorable sign.
Other signs of illness
Helminthiasis disease can be determined by other signs:
- Weight loss, even with a good appetite.
- Bloating and erratic stools.
- Drowsiness, weakness, lethargy.
- Allergic rashes.
- Strong feeling of hunger.
- Peeling of the skin on the toes and hands.
- Nausea. This feeling very often occurs during brushing.
- Salivation in the morning as well as in sleep.
- Itching in the anus.
- In a dream, grinding his teeth.
Diagnosis of helminthiases
Since at the moment there are several types of this ailment, a thorough examination is necessary to make the correct diagnosis. Here are just some of the methods for diagnosing helminthiases:
- Fecal analysis. This examination is carried out first. It allows you to determine the most common types of ailment.
- Microscopic examination.
- Examination of the contents of the duodenum and bile.
- Macroscopic examination. This method allows to detect the presence of pinworms and roundworms in the patient's body.
- Coprooscopy.
- A muscle biopsy. This examination is carried out if there is a suspicion of trichinosis.
- Microfilariae blood test.
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy, radiography, ultrasound.
- Determination of specific parasite antibodies in the blood.
Helminthiasis analysis is a multi-stage and rather complicated procedure prescribed by a doctor depending on his suspicions of the presence of a certain type of parasite in the patient's body.
How to treat an ailment
Helminthiases in children are of particular danger. After all, such diseases do not pass without a trace. Therefore, it is very important not only to identify the disease in a timely manner, but also to begin treatment. When treating helminthiases, some rules should be followed:
- Compliance with all hygiene rules.
- The strictest diet.
- Disinfection of those rooms where the patient is.
- Repeated and constant monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy.
How to properly treat the disease, only the doctor knows for sure. Do not try to get rid of helminthiasis on your own, as this can lead to undesirable results, as well as cause complication.
What pills can be prescribed
Long-term experience of doctors has shown that monotherapy, in another way, the use of one drug to treat an ailment, is no longer so effective. Therefore, recently for the treatment of helminthiasis several drugs are prescribed for parasites. Such complex therapy has many advantages. Initially, the doctor may prescribe levamisole in tablets for a single dose. Most often, a drug such as Dekaris is prescribed. In this case, the dosage is determined by age. It is worth noting that this drug weakens parasites. Helminths in this state are effectively affected by the substances albendazole and mebendazole. Therefore, at the second stage of therapy, a specialist can prescribe Nemazol and Vermox. These drugs are usually prescribed on the third day after taking Dekaris tablets.
It is worth noting that the above funds are completely non-toxic. However, complex treatment is several times more effective than monotherapy. With enterobiosis, the doctor may prescribe such an anthelmintic agent as Pyrantel. This drug is slightly inferior to mebendazole in effectiveness. But he is completely safe.
Alternative methods for the treatment of helminthiases
For humans, not only parasites transmitted from other people are dangerous, but also animal helminthiases. After all, their pathogens can infect the pet owner. Therefore, for effective therapy, treatment of the disease should also be carried out in domestic animals. Only in this case will a positive result be achieved. In general, treatment can be carried out not only with medicines, but also in combination with folk remedies.
An excellent preparation is tansy infusion. To cook it, you need to brew a glass of boiling water with a tablespoon of the flowers of this plant. The container with the infusion should be tightly closed and allowed to stand for four hours. After this, the finished product should be filtered. This can be done with a sieve or gauze. The resulting infusion can be taken in a tablespoon four times a day. It is better to use tansy infusion 20 minutes before a meal.
A remedy based on bitter wormwood has proved to be quite good. To prepare the tincture, you need to pour a tablespoon of this herb with 100 milliliters of alcohol. It is better to put the container with the product in a dark place for several weeks. In this case, the tincture should be shaken regularly. The finished drug should be taken three times a day for 20 drops, preferably 30 minutes before a meal.
What is dangerous helminthiasis
Recently, this disease is diagnosed and, of course, treated quite quickly. All the serious consequences that could have arisen as a result of an illness have remained far in the past. But it is worth remembering that helminthiases in children can lead to a delay in psychological and physical development. When individual organs are affected, chronic diseases and inflammatory processes develop, which always remain even after getting rid of parasites. That is why the prevention of helminthiases is so important.
What can be the complications
The complications of this ailment are also multifaceted, as are its symptoms. This largely depends on the degree of invasion and the type of parasite. The most common complications of helminthiases include acute appendicitis and bowel obstruction. But that is not all. In some cases, perforation of the walls of the intestine occurs, and later peritonitis begins to develop. If the liver is affected, then an abscess of this organ and jaundice may occur. As for the lungs, the worst complication is the aspiration of parasites, which ultimately leads to death.
Helminthiasis Prevention
Only observing all preventive measures, it is possible to avoid infection with helminths. First of all, you should constantly observe the rules of personal hygiene. Timely detection of the disease also helps to prevent infection of the rest of the family. It is for this purpose that mass examinations are conducted not only of children, but also of adults. This measure can significantly reduce the spread of the disease among the population.
Finally
The main thing to remember is that helminthiasis is a rather serious disease that has a polymorphic clinical picture. An ailment can lead to very serious consequences, and in some cases to death. Prevention and treatment of this disease should be carried out only under the supervision of specialists in compliance with a certain scheme. Self-medication attempts can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition, as well as to the development of chronic processes.