Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can settle in a person's intestines, lungs, gall bladder and bile ducts.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and helminth wastes cause poisoning.Helminthiasis is also dangerous for humans because it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces the absorption capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccinations, etc. Helminthiasis can also be contracted by consuming dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease spreads through the skin or through the air.
Classification of helminthiasis
By localization:
- Intestine.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, teniarynchiasis, 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 section:
- Spicy.Helminthiasis usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of the helminthic infection, signs of helminthiasis can be observed from 1 week to several months, and then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the species characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of helminths with larval reproduction (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic manifestations persist for a long time.In other forms of the disease, the symptoms depend on the number, size and location of the parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis and micronutrient deficiency
Once established in the human body, the parasites feed on blood and tissue fluids and absorb nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths first of all need microelements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequence of helminthiasis can be a lack of the following microelements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (resembling scabies or scabies), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.It leads to a decrease in immunity and can trigger the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.It causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and underdevelopment of the reproductive organs.In case of iodine deficiency, mental retardation and dementia may also occur.
Manganese deficiency.It can cause brittle bones, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and degeneration of the genitals.
Chromium deficiency.It causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), growth retardation and cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminthiasis
- fever;
- various skin rashes;
- swelling of the face, conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- loose stools;
- tonsillitis, lymphadenitis in children;
- bronchospasm, lung infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis (clinical picture).
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infection
Symptoms typical of general allergic reactions: itchy skin rash, fever, swollen 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 size of the liver and spleen increases, and symptoms from the central nervous system may occur.
Chronic helminthiasis.In the case of many forms of helminthiasis, the parasites of several individuals occur without unpleasant symptoms.The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taeniids, broad tapeworms, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.In the case of intestinal helminthiasis, pain, dyspeptic and astenoneurotic syndromes are observed.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Nighttime itching of the anus is characteristic of enterobiasis.In case of clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal disorders may develop.
Helminthiasis and infectious diseases
Worm infections increase the risk of 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.Toxoplasmosis can be contracted through the transfusion of contaminated blood, the consumption of food made from thermally unprocessed meat or fish, or contact with the patient's feces.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during development in the womb.Infection can cause fetal death or spontaneous abortion.There is a high risk of death among newborns infected with toxoplasmosis.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats and humans.It can be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.It affects the organs of vision, the reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is spread through airborne droplets, contact and sexual contact.
Toxocara.The disease is observed in humans, domestic animals and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable for months in dried feces.The infection can also be contracted through contact with animal hair or through soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergy and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to identify helminthiasis
The prevention of helminthiasis consists primarily of observing strict hygiene regulations.The consumption of raw water and the consumption of poorly processed or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat) are unacceptable.The timely identification of those infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.Helminthiasis is diagnosed by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.Most often, they are localized in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, so the most common method is stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods for diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long time, so they cannot be detected in the stool.The innovative method makes it possible to detect the presence of helminths and assess the general condition of the body using the iris of the eye.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 condition through the visceral centers of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infection allows detection of parasites even in cases where the traditional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven tool for getting rid of helminthic infection and replenishing the body with essential microelements is a complex of medicines for helminths, which allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increases immunity;
- normalizes metabolism;
- improves the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- relieves allergy symptoms;
- normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
Anti-parasitic health program
To eliminate helminthiasis, broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs must be taken for 3 months.You must take a break of 7 days between each month of use.