Clinical helminthiasis is a group of diseases caused by worms. The disease often becomes chronic and is characterized by many symptoms. During the parasitism of helminths, the body is depleted, the immune system weakens, which leads to the appearance of other diseases.
The epidemiological classification of helminthiases includes the following types: roundworms, tapeworms and flukes. Such parasites penetrate through unwashed foods, fruits and vegetables. And also by water, which is more typical for lagging countries. In the absence of proper hygiene, pathogens of helminthiases enter the body through the percutaneous route (through the skin).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of helminthiases are called:
- Skin-allergic reactions.
- Appears rash, redness, itching, fever, lymphadenopathy.
- Mechanical damage. Localized on the skin, in organs and vessels. This is due to the fact that the worms move between organs and systems, causing tissue damage.
- Nutritional and vitamin deficiency occurs because the parasite feeds on the host andnecessary substances do not reach their destination.
- Decreased immunity. Worms affect the number of immune cells in the body, inhibiting function.
Diagnosis
To classify helminthiases for the infectious diseases they cause, the following tests are needed:
- Scraping for enterobiosis.
- Feces on worm eggs.
- Serology (RIF, ELISA).
- Histology.
The presence of eggs or worms is seen in the stool. Therefore, laboratory doctors are limited to the first two methods.
Treatment
Specific treatment is aimed at the destruction of worms and eggs. Anthelmintic drugs are used. They must be used with caution, as they strongly affect the liver. For intestinal-type helminthiases, antibacterial agents, sorbents and probiotics are used.
Symptomatic therapy includes glucocorticoids, antihistamines, intravenous vitamins and trace elements, cardiac glycosides. Surgery is indicated for echinococcosis, when the helminths are so large that drugs cannot cope with them.
Prevention
Measures are aimed at improving the epidemiological situation. Human hygiene is important. Frequent washing of hands and food. If pets are present, vaccinate and deworm them. It is recommended to do prevention of possible infection to all family members once a year.
Types of tapeworms
Classification of helminthiases in animalsand people are the same. The only difference is the route of infection. Species:
- bull tapeworm;
- pork tapeworm.
- wide ribbon;
- pygmy tapeworm.
Transmitted through underprocessed food (meat, fish). They are more often found in the chronic phase, since in the early stages the symptoms are insignificant. You can recognize by the following clinic: high body temperature, allergic reactions, neuralgia, spasms of the limbs, dyspepsia, weight loss, addition of other diseases.
Diseases associated with the appearance of tapeworms in the body:
- taeniarinhoz is transmitted by bovine tapeworm, activated in the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by dyspepsia and decreased immunity;
- hymenolepiasis is transmitted by dwarf tapeworm, localized in the intestine, inflammation occurs, minerals and vitamins are no longer absorbed into the blood;
- diphyllobothriasis is characterized by weakness, hypofunction of immunity, dyspepsia, spasms;
- taeniasis and cysticercosis are caused by a single tapeworm that can live in the body for up to twenty years and reach enormous sizes.
In the treatment of tapeworms, anthelmintic drugs such as Biltricid, Fenasal, Praziquantel are used. For children, drugs exist in the form of suspensions. A diet should be followed, avoiding solid foods.
Roundworms
Helminthiasis is a parasitic group of diseases,caused by the development in the human or animal body of parasites that feed and multiply at the expense of the carrier. Infection with worms occurs as follows:
- Through food containing parasites.
- Gadfly bites with parasite larvae being deposited under the skin.
- Poor processing of fruits and vegetables.
- Violation of personal hygiene standards when in contact with pets.
- The symptoms of helminthiasis do not appear immediately, but one way or another they still make themselves felt.
Symptoms of roundworms
When helminthic invasions occur in humans the following symptoms:
- Dramatic weight loss.
- The appearance of a rash on the skin.
- Anal itch.
- Skin becomes yellowish.
- Increased appetite.
Classification of roundworms
Nematodes are a common type of parasite. The species has about 24,000 different individuals. The appearance of the parasite is rounded with pointed ends on both sides.
There are these types of pathogens:
1. Roundworm. This is the most common type in the classification of helminthiases in children. The development cycle of an individual begins with the entry of a worm egg into the human body. This type of parasite multiplies in the small intestines. Roundworms are prominent representatives of sexual dimorphism, since females are much larger than males in their size. Individuals do not have fixation organs, therefore they are in constant motion and search for food masses. The development of larvae occurs in the intestine, the parasite continues to live in the human bodyor animal during the year. The danger of worms is as follows:
- injury to the mucous membranes of internal organs;
- intoxication;
- there is a sharp pain in the abdomen;
- there is an increase in saliva;
- a rash of allergic etiology appears on the skin;
- affected organs of the gastrointestinal system and liver;
- blood discharge appears in the feces.
As a result, chronic diseases of internal organs are exacerbated in a person.
2. Pinworm. This type of worm is the main causative agent of enterobiasis. The color of the parasite has a grayish-white hue, the shape of the body is rounded. The female is much larger than the opposite sex. The life span of the parasite is three to four weeks. Often parasites are diagnosed in young children. The mode of infection is predominantly oral. The parasite lays eggs on the surface of the anus. Symptoms of a worm infestation:
- severe itching of anal organs;
- restlessness while sleeping;
- pain in the navel;
- increased fatigue;
- pale complexion;
- appearance of signs of intoxication.
3. Trichinella. This type of worm is the most dangerous for human life, as it contributes to the development of a deadly disease - trichchinosis. Delayed larvae are able to rapidly spread through the circulatory system throughout the human body oranimal. When a person is infected with this type of parasite, the following symptoms appear:
- temperature increase;
- muscle pain;
- appearance of puffiness;
- itchy skin;
- GI upset.
4. Vlasoglav. The individual is small in size, the shape of the body is rounded with slight thickenings at the ends. It feeds on tissue fluids and the blood of the host. The female and male reach sizes from three to five centimeters long. An individual is able to lay about twenty thousand eggs per day. Infection symptoms:
- decrease in immune forces;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- appearance of symptoms of poisoning, dizziness.
After the diagnosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor to treat the consequences of helminthic invasions, and the specialist will also prescribe the necessary drugs to prevent re-infection with the parasite. To prevent the development of this type of parasitic infection, the following recommendations should be followed:
- must wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;
- observe personal hygiene rules;
- ironing underwear daily;
- cook fruits and vegetables.
The Flukes
Helminthiases are parasitic diseases caused by various groups of organisms. The group of flukes, or trematodes, is common. They are small parasites with a leaf-shaped, flattened body without segments. Despite their small size, theseparasites can cause tremendous harm to the body, even death.
Classification
Biological classification of helminthiases of trematodes is divided into:
1. By habitat of parasites:
- Blood flukes. They live in human blood, feed on erythrocytes and leukocytes. The tropical form is transmitted from snails, which are intermediate hosts. Characteristic of the poor countries of Africa, South America, India. Cause diseases of the blood, genitourinary system.
- Trematodes of the liver. Parasites affect mainly the bile ducts, the liver, feeding on liver cells. It is transmitted through freshwater fish, as well as through some types of fungi. Liver flukes affect cattle, but human cases have been reported. Parasites grow to enormous sizes, producing a huge number of eggs per day. Typical for Scandinavia, Mexico, South America.
- Pancreatic trematodes are found in Asia and Brazil. Flukes settle in the pancreas of sheep, cattle, and people. In mild cases, the pancreas enlarges, swelling occurs, and in more severe cases, tissue dies, resulting in death.
- Lung flukes are similar to pancreatic flukes. They only settle in the bronchi and lungs, growing over time, forming a dense lump that significantly complicates breathing.
- Intestinal flukes are the most dangerous species of parasites from the group. Distribute as in cattle in the duodenum and thinintestines as well as in humans. Infection occurs through the use of chestnuts, fish, bamboo, meat of infected cattle.
2. According to the degree of danger of infectious diseases:
- Dangerous: schistosomes (blood flukes), Paragonimus westermani (lung flukes), Clonorchis Sinensis (liver flukes).
- Less dangerous: Fasciola hepatica and Opisthorchis viverrin (liver flukes), Fasciolopsis buski, Heterophyes heterophyes and Metagonimus yokogawai (intestinal worms).
Compliance with preventive measures will save you from the disease. At the first suspicion of helminthiases, it is necessary to conduct all the necessary tests. A competent specialist will prescribe the necessary treatment.
