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 be calm: there are no parasites in the body. If this indicator is more than 5, then a stool analysis for worm eggs is performed and, based on the results of the analysis, treatment will be prescribed. Parasite medications have many unpleasant side effects: hair loss, seizures, kidney failure, drug hepatitis up to liver cirrhosis, so only a doctor should prescribe them.
The most common symptoms that are 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 malfunction. If they have appeared or have lasted for some time, the most sensible thing to do is to see a doctor. And as a preventative measure, wash your hands more often.
Fear of parasites
Many people are completely sincere and are very afraid of parasites, which, presumably, try to get into their bodies. And therefore, they are ready to spend a lot of money on scammers who not only search for, but also "find" parasites and then "prescribe" all kinds of dietary supplements and other imaginary helminth remedies to naive victims. Some try to remove parasites on their own with the help of garlic, onions and horseradish - the drugs from them are at least safe. But what will be in the jar received by the aspiring doctors is still unknown.
The problem of parasitosis really exists, it exists only in the countries of Asia, Africa and South America. So, in some Asian countries, the infection of people with optorchiasis 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 home climate, although opisthorchiasis is common in holon regions. It is transmitted through fish, as well as through dogs and cats that feed on this fish. But today we will talk about other parasites, which it is quite possible to infect in our middle lane. These parasites are roundworms and pinworms.
Ascaris and ascariasis
Ascaris parasite only in humans. The parasite is a rather long round worm of a yellowish-reddish color. The length of an adult male is 15-25 cm, the female is longer - up to 20-40 cm. If nematodes 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 and allergic reactions are also possible. Ascariasis is quite common, 60-85 people out of 100 thousand get sick.
Roundworm life cycle: from blood to intestine
A sick person is not dangerous in terms of infection, as infection occurs when the eggs enter the body. And the eggs come out with the feces and first ripen in the soil. The eggs have a dense shell, so they can stay in the ground for up to seven years. You can get 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 ingested eggs and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. With the bloodstream, they migrate to the liver, heart, then into the lungs and from these into the pharynx. When the patient swallows them, the larvae in the intestine 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 come to the fore. Mechanical damage to those organs through which the larvae pass is also possible: liver, blood vessels, lungs, intestines. The patient may have a high fever, rash and pain in the liver area, and at the end of the migratory phase - cough and shortness of breath. When roundworms settle in the intestines, their waste products are poisoned. In addition, the pointed ends of the worms can injure or even puncture the intestines. Manifestations include abdominal pain, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and stool changes. In addition, there are well-being disorders, poor sleep, headaches, increased fatigue, and weight loss. The presence of roundworms in the intestine causes a deficiency of vitamins B6, A and C.
Ascariasis Diagnosis
For diagnosis, blood is drawn for a general analysis (increased eosinophils, increased ESR, sometimes anemia) and an antibody test. Under the microscope, the larvae can be found in the sputum of patients. In the intestinal phase, roundworm eggs and sometimes the worms themselves are detected in the stool.
Medicines for ascariasis
Therapy for ascariasis does not require hospitalization, except in complicated cases. Patients are assigned a diet rich in vitamins, low in fat and carbohydrates. Food intake - four to five times a day. Drugs with antiparasitic action, antihistamines, probiotics and enzyme preparations are shown.
Complications of ascariasis
A complication of ascariasis can be intestinal obstruction due to blockage by a ball of worms. When the roundworm crawls into the biliary tract, vomiting, jaundice, severe abdominal pain on the right occurs. By the same principle, ascariasis pancreatitis is possible, as well as respiratory failure when the respiratory tract is blocked by parasites.
Pinworms and enterobiasis
Pinworms are translucent white worms only 0. 5-1 cm long and one end of their body is pointed, which explains the name. They parasitize mainly in the large intestine and can disappear over time without medication if self-infection does not occur. The fact is that in order to lay eggs, females descend into the anus and do it in the perianal folds, after which they die. In the patient, this process causes severe itching. If, after scratching the itchy area, the patient does not wash his hands, the eggs will fall on the linen, surrounding objects, in food, and may remain under the nails. The patient himself can swallow pinworm eggs. This is how self-infection occurs.
Symptoms: anal itching
The main symptom is severe itching in the anus at night, since it is at this time that the parasite lays its eggs. With enterobiasis, symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are possible: abdominal pain, nausea, increased gas production and nervous system: fatigue, sleep disturbances or insomnia (severe anal itching interferes with normal sleep). Pinworms can crawl into the female genital tract, causing irritation, pain, and discharge. And also cause cough - if it got into the lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterobiasis
Primarily, scraping 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 (increased leukocytes, increased 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 ointment with anesthesia. The most popular folk remedy is garlic.
Complications: dysbiosis, appendicitis
Complications will depend on the body's response 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 time;
- loosen sandboxes (eggs can not stand direct sunlight);
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries.
Enterobiasis:
- iron the laundry well, especially the creases;
- clean the apartment with disinfectants;
- provide the patient with bed linen and personal bed;
- It is important for children to cut their nails short.