To get rid of parasites, you must first understand which parasites have settled inside the patient and if they exist at all. To do this, there is a simple fingerprint test. If the eosinophils in it do not exceed 5, you can rest easy - there are no parasites in the body. If this indicator is higher than 5, a fecal analysis for worm eggs is taken, and according to the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed. Medications for parasites have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, hepatitis medication up to cirrhosis of the liver, so only a doctor should prescribe them.
Popular 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 dysfunction. If they have appeared or lasted for some time, the most reasonable thing to do is see a doctor. And as a precaution - wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are completely honest and are very afraid of parasites, who ostensibly try to get into their bodies. And for this reason, they are willing to spend a lot of money on fraudsters who not only search for but also "find" parasites, and then "prescribe" all sorts of dietary supplements and other remedies for imaginary helminths for naive victims. Some try to get rid of the parasites themselves with the help of garlic, onions and horseradish - medicines from them are at least safe. But what will be in the jar taken by potential doctors is still unknown.
The problem of parasitism really exists, it only exists in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. So in some Asian countries, the infection of people with opisthorchiasis reaches 80%. There, special measures are taken to disinfect food and water. But all this is not with us, tropical parasites do not survive in the indoor climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in holon regions. It is transmitted through fish, as well as through cats and dogs that feed on this fish. But today we will talk about other parasites, which are quite possible to become infected in our middle lane. These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Ascaris and ascariasis
Ascaris only parasitizes humans. The parasite is a fairly long round yellow-reddish worm. 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. At the same time, the gastrointestinal tract suffers to a greater extent, but damage to other organs is also possible, as well as allergic reactions. Ascariasis is quite widespread, 60-85 people out of every 100 thousand get it.
The life cycle of roundworms: through the blood to the intestines
A sick person is not dangerous in terms of infection, as infection occurs when eggs enter the body. And the eggs come out with the feces and first ripen in 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. In the body, the parasite goes through a long cycle of movement. First, the larvae hatch from swallowed eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. With the flow of blood, they migrate to the liver, to the heart, then to the lungs and from there to the pharynx. When the patient swallows them, the larvae in the intestines mature into adult worms, which are capable of laying eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
As the larvae travel through the body, allergic manifestations emerge. Damage is also possible mechanical damage to those organs through which the larvae pass - liver, blood vessels, lungs, intestines. The patient may have high fever, redness and pain in the area of the liver, and at the end of the migratory phase - cough and shortness of breath. When roundworms settle in the intestines, their waste products are poisoned. Also, the pointed edges of the worms can damage or even pierce the intestines. Manifestations include abdominal pain, vomiting in the morning, loss of appetite, and changes in bowel movements. In addition, there is impairment of well-being, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue and weight loss. The presence of ascaris in the gut 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 found in patients' saliva. In the intestinal stage, ascaris eggs, and sometimes the worms themselves, are detected in the feces.
Remedies for ascariasis
Therapy for ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases. Patients are assigned a diet rich in vitamins, low in fats and carbohydrates. Food intake - four to five times a day. Drugs with antiparasitic action, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are indicated.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis may be intestinal obstruction due to blockage by a ball of worms. When ascaris creeps into the biliary tract, vomiting, jaundice, severe abdominal pain on the right occurs. By the same token, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as is respiratory failure when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Worm worms and enterobiosis
Worm worms are translucent white worms only 0. 5-1 cm long. One end of their body is pronounced, which explains the name. They parasitize mainly in the colon and can disappear over time without medication, if self-infection does not occur. The fact is that to lay eggs, females descend into the anus and do so in the perianal folds, after which they die. In the patient, this process causes severe itching. If, after scratching the itching area, the patient does not wash his hands, then the eggs will fall into the linen, surrounding objects, into the food and may remain under the nails. The patient can swallow pinworm eggs. This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, as at this time the parasite lays eggs. With enterobiasis, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas production and nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbance or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep). Worm worms can crawl into the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain and discharge. And even cause a cough - if it penetrates the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Mostly, scratching from the perianal folds (or applying adhesive tape) is used, after which the resulting material is examined under a microscope. So you can find helminth eggs. In a blood test, as in ascariasis, there will be an increase in eosinophils, with the development of complications - signs of inflammation (increase in leukocytes, increase in ESR). For treatment, antiparasitic drugs are used. Some of them are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. To reduce itching, the anus is lubricated with oil under anesthesia. The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbiosis, appendicitis
Complications will depend on the body's reaction and the number of parasitic worms. Possible dysbiosis, appendicitis, vaginitis, salpingitis, endometritis (inflammation of the appendages).
Prevention of ascariasis and enterobiasis
Ascariasis:
- identify and treat patients in a timely manner;
- loosen the sandboxes (eggs can not withstand direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- iron clothes thoroughly, especially folds;
- clean the apartment with disinfectant;
- provide the patient with a personal bed and sleeping area;
- Children It is important for children to trim their nails.