Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can live in the intestines, lungs, gall bladder and bile ducts of a person.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and the waste of helminths causes intoxication.Helminthoses are also dangerous for humans, because it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, causes increased fatigue, reduces the absorption capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc.You can get helminths by drinking dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or through the air.
Classification of helminths
By localization:
- gut.These include ascariasis, strongyloidosis, trichuriasis, teniarynchiasis, etc.
- Lung.This group includes tominxosis and paragonimiasis.
- Cloth.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocarosis and filariasis.
- Hepotobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchosis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- spicy.Helminthoses usually appear 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of helminthic infection, symptoms of helminthosis are observed from 1 week to several months, then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.Clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the species characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of helminths with reproduction of larvae (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic manifestations last 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.
Helminthosis and micronutrient deficiency
Parasites living in the human body feed on blood and tissue juices and absorb nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths primarily need micronutrients, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The result of helminthosis can be a deficiency of the following micronutrients:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (itchy or spoon-like), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.It leads to a decrease in immunity and can lead to the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.It causes retardation of growth, failure of sexual maturity and underdevelopment of reproductive organs.Mental retardation and even dementia are possible with iodine deficiency.
Manganese deficiency.It can cause bone fragility, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis, and genital degeneration.
Chromium deficiency.It causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), growth retardation and increases cholesterol levels.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
- fever;
- various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- loose stools;
- tonsillitis, lymphadenitis in children;
- bronchospasm, lung infiltrate, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms of helminthosis (clinical picture).
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminthic infection
Typical symptoms of general allergic reactions: itching skin rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain in muscles and joints.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, symptoms from the central nervous system may appear.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthosis, parasitism of several individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthosis are manifested by the presence of large worms (taeniids, tapeworms, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.Pain, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes are observed with intestinal helminthiasis.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobiasis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.Hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions can develop with clonorchosis and opisthorchosis.
Helminths 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 germs and viruses to enter body tissues freely.Helminthosis can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood, eating dishes made from uncooked meat or fish, or contact with the feces of a patient.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can cause fetal death or spontaneous abortion.The risk of death among newborns infected with toxoplasmosis is high.
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, reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is transmitted through airborne droplets, contact and sexual contact.
Tokhocara.The disease is observed in humans, domestic animals and rodents.Toxocara eggs remain viable for months in dried faeces.Infection can be transmitted 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
Prevention of helminthiasis is primarily based on compliance with strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat).Timely detection of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.The diagnosis of helminthosis is made by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.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 helminthosis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for a long time and therefore cannot be detected in feces.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", which transmits information about its condition through the visceral centers of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infections makes it possible to detect parasites even when the traditional test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminthosis
An effective, safe and proven means of getting rid of helminthic infestation and replenishing the body with essential trace elements is a complex of drugs for helminths, which allows you to improve your health in several key areas at once:
- increase immunity;
- normalize metabolism;
- improve the enzymatic functions of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- eliminate allergy symptoms;
- normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
Antiparasitic health program
To eliminate helminthiasis, it is necessary to take broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs for 3 months.You should take a break of 7 days between each month of use.