To get rid of parasites, you must first understand what parasites have settled inside the patient and if they exist.To do this, there is a simple finger prick blood test.If the eosinophils do not exceed 5, you can be assured that there are no parasites in the body.If this indicator is more than 5, a stool test is carried out for worm eggs and, based on the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed.Medicines against parasites have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, drug-induced hepatitis, even cirrhosis of the liver, which is why only a doctor should prescribe them.
Common symptoms generally 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 a thyroid disorder.If they appear or last for a while, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor.And as a preventative measure, wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are very sincere and very afraid of parasites that pretend to strive to appear in their body.And therefore, they are ready to pay a lot of money to scammers who not only search for, but also “find” parasites, and then “prescribe” all sorts of dietary supplements and other imaginary helminth remedies to naive victims.Some try to eliminate parasites on their own using garlic, onions and horseradish - medicines from them are at least safe.But what the pot received from future doctors will contain is still unknown.
The problem of parasitosis really exists, only in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America.So, 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 by fish, as well as by cats and dogs that feed on this fish.But today we will talk about other parasites with which it is quite possible to be infected in our middle zone.These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Roundworms and ascariasis
Roundworms only parasitize humans.The parasite is a fairly long round worm of yellowish-reddish color.The length of an adult male is 15-25 cm, the female is longer - up to 20-40 cm.If roundworms enter the human body, the disease ascariasis develops.In this case, the gastrointestinal tract is most affected, but other organs may also be affected, as well as allergic reactions.Ascariasis is quite common, affecting 60 to 85 people in 100,000.
Roundworm life cycle: from blood to intestines
A sick person does not pose a danger in terms of infection, since infection occurs when eggs enter the body.And the eggs come out with the droppings and ripen first in the soil.The eggs have a dense shell so they can stay in the soil for up to seven years.You can become infected by eating vegetables, fruits or berries that have been exposed to roundworm eggs.The parasite goes through a long cycle of movements in the body.First, larvae hatch from swallowed eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls.With the blood flow, they migrate to the liver, to the heart, then to the lungs and from there to the pharynx.When the patient ingests them, the larvae present in the intestines transform into adult worms capable of laying eggs.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss
As the larvae move through the body, allergic manifestations appear.Mechanical damage to the organs through which the larvae pass – the liver, blood vessels, lungs and intestines – is also possible.The patient may develop a high temperature, rash 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 waste.Additionally, the sharp ends of the worms can injure or even puncture the intestine.Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and stool changes.Added to this are health problems, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue and weight loss.The presence of roundworms in the intestines leads to a lack 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 patients' sputum.In the intestinal stage, roundworm eggs, and sometimes the worms themselves, are detected in the stool.
Medicines for ascariasis
Treatment of ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases.Patients are prescribed a diet rich in vitamins, low in fats and carbohydrates.Eat four to five times a day.Medicines with antiparasitic effects, 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.According to the same principle, ascariatic pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the airways are blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
Pinworms are translucent white worms measuring only 0.5 to 1 cm long.One end of their body is pointed, which explains their name.They primarily parasitize the large intestine and may disappear over time without medication if autoinfection does not occur.The fact is that in order to lay eggs, females go down to the anus and do it 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, eggs will be found on linen, surrounding objects, in food and may remain under the nails.The patient can swallow the pinworm eggs themselves.This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, as this is when the parasite lays its eggs.With enterobiasis, symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas formation, and from the nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbances or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep).Pinworms can enter the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain and discharge.And even cause coughing if they enter the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Basically, the perianal folds are scraped (or tape is applied), after which the resulting material is examined under a microscope.This way you can detect helminth eggs.In a blood test, as in the case of 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 lubricated 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 sandboxes (eggs do not tolerate direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits and berries.
Enterobiosis:
- carefully iron the linen, especially the folds;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with personal bedding and a place to sleep;
- It is important for children to cut their nails short.