Helminthic infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can take up residence in the intestines, lungs, gallbladder and bile ducts of humans.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and helminth waste leads to poisoning.Helminthiases are also dangerous for humans because they weaken the immune system, worsen the course of other diseases, lead to increased fatigue, reduce the absorption capacity of the intestines, reduce the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.You can become infected with helminths by drinking dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or through the air.
Classification of helminthiasis
By location:
- Intestinal.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, taeniarinchiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes tominxosis and paragonimiasis.
- Fabric.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
By step:
- Spicy.Helminthiases generally appear 2 to 4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of the helminthic infestation, signs of helminthiasis are observed from 1 week to several months, then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the specific characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of helminths with reproduction of larvae (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic manifestations persist for a long time.In other forms of the disease, symptoms depend on the number, size and location of parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis and micronutrient deficiency
Settling in the human body, parasites feed on blood and tissue juices, absorbing nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths need, first of all, microelements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequence of helminthiasis can be a deficiency of the following microelements:
Zinc deficiency.Causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (resembles scabies), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.Leads to a decrease in immunity and can provoke the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.Causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and underdevelopment of the reproductive organs.With a lack of iodine, mental retardation and even dementia are possible.
Manganese deficiency.May cause bone brittleness, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and degeneration of the genital tract.
Chromium deficiency.Causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), stunted growth and increases cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminthiasis
- fever;
- various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- loose stools;
- in children, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis;
- bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms (clinical picture) of helminthiasis
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infestation
Characteristic signs of general allergic reactions: itchy rash, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain and dyspeptic disorders.In this case, the liver and spleen increase in size and symptoms originating from the central nervous system may appear.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, parasitism of several individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taeniids, large tapeworm, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.With intestinal helminthiasis, painful, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes are observed.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiasis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.With clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions may develop.
Helminthiasis and infectious diseases
Worm infestations increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole.Thus, parasites allow microbes and viruses free access to body tissues.Helminthiasis can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.You can become infected with toxoplasmosis through a transfusion of contaminated blood, through eating non-thermally processed meat or fish dishes, or through contact with a patient's feces.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or spontaneous miscarriage.There is a high risk of mortality in newborns infected with toxoplasmosis.
Chlamydia.Infectious disease that affects rodents, cats and humans.May be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.Affects the organs of vision, reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is spread by airborne droplets, contact, and sexual contact.
Toxocara.The disease is seen in humans, pets and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable for months in dried feces.Infection can be acquired through contact with an animal's fur or from the ground.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergies and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to identify helminthiasis
Prevention of helminthiasis consists, first of all, in observing strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat).Rapid identification of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.Diagnosis of helminthiasis is carried out by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.Most often they are localized in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.The most common method is therefore stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods for diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long time and therefore cannot be detected in stools.The innovative method allows you to detect the presence of helminths and assess the general condition of the body using the iris of the eyes.The method is based on the fact that each organ has a projection on a certain segment of the “iris”, where it transmits information about its state through the visceral centers of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infections makes it possible to detect parasites even in cases where a conventional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven way to get rid of helminth infestations and replenish the body with essential microelements is a complex of drugs for helminths, which allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increase immunity;
- normalize metabolism;
- improve the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- relieve signs of allergies;
- normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
Pest Control Health Program
To eliminate helminthiasis, it is necessary to take broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs for 3 months.Between each month of use you must take a break of 7 days.