helminthiasis

Helminth infection or worm infection is an acute infectious disease caused by the entry of specific parasites, worms, into the adult body. These include flat, round, ring, and other worms. Such pathologies have systemic effects and almost always occur chronically. Recognition of symptoms, analysis of causes, and treatment of helminth infections in adult patients are performed by gastroenterologists, with the involvement of therapists, infectious disease specialists, and other specialists when necessary.

About disease

Currently, there are as many as 70 species of worms discovered in my country. In total, up to 250 species of parasites are known to science to cause helminth infections.The mechanism of infection is simple: parasite eggs enter the body with food or contaminated water, then become fixed in certain organs and begin to multiply. In some cases, infection occurs through close contact between a healthy person and a carrier or through the use of another person's hygiene products or underwear. Certain types of parasites can enter the body with inhaled air.

type

Taking into account the characteristics of the infection, experts emphasize:

• Biological helminthiasis: Pathogens require intermediate hosts for development and spread;
• Geohelminths: There is no intermediate host and the eggs and/or larvae mature in the soil;
• Contact helminth infection: Pathogens are spread directly from person to person.

More broadly, experts have identified two main groups of parasites that most commonly infect humans: roundworms, or nematodes, and flatworms, which include tapeworms and flukes.

symptom

In the clinical course of helminthiasis in adult patients, taking into account the symptoms, two main stages can be distinguished:

• Acute, lasting up to 2 months;
• Chronic, lasting for several years.

Different types of worms affect different parts of the body:

• Roundworms, bovine and pork tapeworms, pinworms - large intestine;
• Flukes - liver, bile ducts;
• Echinococcus, paragonimiasis - respiratory system organs;
• Echinococcus, Asphyxiococcus, schistosomiasis - part of the central and peripheral nervous systems;
• necators, cersodoses – circulatory system;
• Trichinella spiralis, filarial worms - organs of lymphatic structures.

The main symptoms of the acute phase of helminthiasis in adults are:

• Muscle pain;
• Increased body temperature;
• Chills;
• abdominal pain;
• Flatulence and other indigestion symptoms;
• general deterioration in health;
• weakness;
• rapid fatigue;
• dry cough;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Increased irritability.

Some patients notice a significant decrease in appetite, while others, on the contrary, complain of persistent hunger and sometimes even changes in taste preferences.Chronic helminth infection in adults is associated with systemic symptoms of intoxication and specific symptoms determined by the location of the parasite. The most common are:

• Persistent abdominal pain that worsens after eating or physical exertion;
• flatulence;
• abdominal bloating;
• Intestinal disorders.

Related symptoms include:

• persistent fatigue;
• indifferent;
• Unmotivated weight loss;
• rash;
• Itchy skin;
• excessive irritability;
• Outbursts of appetite, alternating with complete indifference to food.

Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs revealed marked enlargement of the liver and spleen. Severe iron deficiency anemia and a lack of certain minerals in the body can be identified through laboratory blood tests.When intestinal parasites migrate to nearby organs and structures, women may develop vaginitis, vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis, and salpingo-oophoritis.If the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are affected, the main symptoms of the disease will be:

• severe shortness of breath;
• Frequent dry cough;
• Feeling tired and weak;
• Arrhythmias.

If lymphatic system organs are affected, swollen lymph nodes and swelling of the genitals and breast glands may occur.

reason

The main cause of helminthiasis is the consumption of food containing parasite larvae or eggs inside or on the surface:

• Raw and undercooked beef, pork, chicken, and other meats;
• fresh red fish;
• raw eggs;
• Improper washing of fruits, vegetables, fruit and herbs.

Sometimes infections occur through drinking water that has not been filtered through a filtration system and from water in natural reservoirs and swimming pools.Parasites can be spread through contact through underwear and linens, common items (towels, plates, cutlery, doorknobs, etc. ) and through the use of other people's personal hygiene products.

diagnosis

After performing a general examination, taking a medical history, and evaluating the patient's complaints, doctors send patients with suspected helminth infections for laboratory testing. These include:

• clinical blood tests;
• Stool analysis for worm eggs;
• Perform ELISA or PCR as indicated;
• Specific tests to assess liver function;
• Gua Sha treats pinworms;
• Histology of various tissues and biological fluids.

Ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen, kidneys and X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract must be performed. In addition, computer or magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic techniques to examine different parts of the intestines, and other procedures may be used.

Expert Opinion

The prevalence of helminthiasis in some areas of my country reaches 10%. This is not only due to poor food quality but also a lack of compliance with basic safety rules. You should not eat raw meat and fish, and you should not buy goods from questionable retail stores, especially semi-finished and ready-to-eat foods. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap before eating is a must, and the same goes for fruits, vegetables and other natural fruits, even if they were grown by hand in the garden. There may be contaminated feces underground in which worm eggs have been preserved for long periods of time. If any signs or symptoms of disease occur that may indicate helminthiasis, it is necessary to seek treatment from a qualified specialist and never use traditional methods.

treat

In the vast majority of cases, patients do not need to be hospitalized to receive adequate treatment. Treatment of helminthiasis in adults is carried out on an outpatient basis under the supervision of a doctor and with regular laboratory tests. In a hospital setting, only patients who develop complications from helminth infection or are exacerbated by chronic systemic disease are treated.The basis of treatment is anthelmintics with various spectrum of action. The dosage, regimen, and specific type of drug are selected solely by the attending physician based on laboratory test data, patient weight, and age.Additionally, the following can be assigned:

• detox measures;
• antipyretics;
• anti-allergic and anti-itch medications;
• Diuretics are used for edema.

Patients are advised to eat a bland diet and limit greasy, fried, smoked and pickled foods, which can cause additional irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.

prevention

The following precautions are recommended:

• Control the quality of your drinking water by using boiled, carefully filtered or bottled water;
• Avoid eating raw meat and fish;
• Purchase food at official retail stores;
• Wash vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs before eating;
• Do not use other people’s personal hygiene products;
• Wet clean areas where pets live regularly;
• Do not eat unwashed fruit from the garden;
• Treat parasites in pets.

People who are often in contact with the earth, animals, often go out to sea to hunt, or go to countries or regions with lower living standards need to take preventive drugs twice a year for safety reasons. Your doctor will tell you how to do this correctly and which medications to use during a personal consultation.

Questions and Answers

Is it possible to contract parasites through sexual contact?

Yes, if the partner is infected and does not practice good personal hygiene. This can also happen during anal sex.

What happens if helminthiasis is not treated?

Nothing good. The consequences of invasion can be severe chronic and acute illness, including pneumonia, liver abscess and cirrhosis, ascites, hepatitis, as well as sepsis, peritonitis and many other dangerous conditions.

Is it possible to completely cure helminthiasis?

The prognosis for most helminthiasis is good. As complications develop, a worsening of prognosis is observed. Central nervous system, ocular cysticercosis, and hydatid disease have a poor prognosis if surgical treatment is not possible.

Which doctor treats worm infections?

Gastroenterologists treat such conditions. If the patient has a chronic disease, specialized specialists such as endocrinologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, etc. are required. General practitioners are also involved if necessary and, when treating children, paediatricians.

What is fascioliasis?

This is a helminth infection caused by worms of the genus Flukes. This worm lives in cells of the liver and hepatobiliary tract. How does a person become infected? Through infected water and consumption of lettuce, parsley, etc. These plants may contain parasite larvae. The disease has two stages - acute and chronic. High fever, rash, allergic lung injury, hepatosplenomegaly, increased eosinophils in the blood, etc. may occur in the acute phase. Symptoms in the chronic phase are determined by the involvement of the liver and biliary tract in the pathological process.