Helminth infection or helminthic attack is an acute infectious disease caused by the entry of special parasites, helminths, into the body of adults. These include flat, round, ring and other worms. Such pathologies have a systemic effect and almost always occur chronically. Identification of symptoms, analysis of causes and treatment of helminthic attacks in adult patients is carried out by gastroenterologists with the participation of therapists, infectious disease specialists and other necessary specialists.
About the disease
Currently, up to 70 types of helminths are found in our country. In total, there are up to 250 species of parasites known to science that cause helminthic attacks.
The mechanism of infection is simple: parasite eggs enter the human body with contaminated food or water, after which they become fixed in certain organs and begin to reproduce. In some cases, infection occurs through close contact of a healthy person with a carrier or through the use of other people's sanitary items or underwear. Some types of parasites can enter the body along with inhaled air.
Type
Taking into account the characteristics of the infection, experts highlight:
- biohelminthiasis: an intermediate host is required for pathogen development and transmission;
- geohelminthiases: no intermediate host, maturation of eggs and/or larvae takes place in the soil;
- Contact helminth infections: pathogens are transmitted directly from person to person.
In a broader sense, experts identify two main groups of parasites that most often infect the human body: roundworms or nematodes and flatworms, which include tapeworms and flukes.
symptoms
In the clinical course of helminthiasis in adult patients, taking into account the signs, two main phases are distinguished:
- acute, which lasts up to 2 months;
- chronic, lasting up to several years.
Different types of helminths affect different parts of the body:
- roundworms, cattle and pig tapeworms, pinworms – large intestine;
- trematodes - liver, bile ducts;
- echinococci, pulmonary flukes - organs of the respiratory system;
- echinococci, alveococci, schistosomiasis - parts of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;
- necators, cestodoses – circulatory system;
- trichinella, filariae - lymphatic structural organs.
The main symptoms of helminthiases in adults in the acute phase are:
- muscle pain;
- increased body temperature;
- shivering;
- pain in the stomach;
- flatulence and other dyspeptic phenomena;
- general deterioration of health;
- weakness;
- fatigue quickly;
- dry cough;
- breathing difficulties;
- increased irritability.
Some patients note a significant decrease in appetite, others, on the contrary, complain of constant hunger, sometimes a change in taste preferences.
The chronic form of helminthic attack in adults is accompanied by signs of general intoxication of the body and specific symptoms determined by the location of the parasite. Most often they are:
- constant abdominal pain, worse after eating or physical work;
- bloated stomach;
- bloated stomach;
- intestinal disorders.
Associated symptoms include:
- constant fatigue;
- apathy;
- weight loss without motivation;
- skin rash;
- skin itching;
- excessive irritability;
- epidemics of appetite, alternating with complete indifference to food.
Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs revealed distinct enlargement of the liver and spleen. Using laboratory blood tests, severe iron deficiency anemia and a lack of certain minerals in the body can be determined.
When intestinal parasites migrate to nearby organs and structures, women can experience vaginitis, vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis and salpingo-oophoritis.
If the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are affected, the main symptoms of the disease are:
- severe shortness of breath;
- frequent dry cough;
- feeling tired, weak;
- arrhythmia.
If organs of the lymphatic system are affected, enlargement of the lymph nodes and swelling of the genital and mammary glands may occur.
Cause
The main reason for the development of helminthiasis is the consumption of food containing parasite larvae or eggs in or on the surface:
- raw and undercooked beef, pork, chicken and other types of meat;
- fresh red fish;
- raw egg;
- fruits, vegetables, fruits and herbs that are not washed properly.
Sometimes infection occurs through drinking water that does not pass through the filtration system, and through water contained in natural reservoirs and swimming pools.
Through contact, helminths can be spread through underwear and bed linen, common items (towels, dishes, cutlery, door handles, etc. ), as well as through the use of other people's personal hygiene products.
Diagnostics
After a general examination, collection of anamnesis and evaluation of the patient's complaints, the doctor sends the patient with suspected helminthic infestation for laboratory tests. This includes:
- clinical blood tests;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- ELISA or PCR as indicated;
- specific tests to assess liver function;
- scraping for enterobiasis;
- histology of various tissues and biological fluids.
Ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen, kidneys, as well as radiography of the gastrointestinal tract is mandatory. In addition, computer or magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic techniques to examine different parts of the intestine and other procedures can be used.
Expert opinion
The prevalence of helminthiases in some regions of the country reaches 10%. This is due not only to the poor quality of food products, but also to non-compliance with basic safety rules. You should not eat raw meat and fish, or buy goods, especially semi-finished and ready-made food, from dubious grocery stores. It is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly and thoroughly with soap before eating, as well as fruits, vegetables and other fruits of nature, even if they are grown with your own hands in your garden. There may be contaminated feces in the soil, where helminth eggs are perfectly preserved for a long time. If there are signs of illness or symptoms that may indicate helminthiasis, it is necessary to seek treatment from a qualified specialist and in the case of not using traditional methods.
Treatment
In most cases, hospitalization of the patient is not required for adequate therapy. 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 those who have experienced complications due to helminthic attacks or whose condition is aggravated by chronic systemic diseases undergo therapy.
The basis of treatment is multi-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. The dose, regimen and specific type of medication is selected only by the attending physician, based on laboratory test data, weight and age of the patient.
In addition, the following may be provided:
- detoxification measures;
- antipyretic;
- antiallergic and antipruritic drugs;
- diuretic for edema.
Patients are advised to follow a light diet with a limit on heavy foods, fried foods, smoke and pickles, which can have an additional irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Prevention
The following are recommended as preventative measures:
- control the quality of drinking water using boiled, carefully filtered or bottled water;
- do not eat raw meat and fish;
- buy food products in official retail stores;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs before eating;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- regularly perform wet cleaning in areas where pets live;
- do not eat fruits from the garden without washing them;
- treating pets for parasites.
People who are in constant contact with the earth, animals, often go fishing and hunting, or visit countries or regions with a low standard of living, need to take preventive medicine twice a year for safety reasons. Your doctor will tell you how to do this correctly and what medicine to use during a personal consultation.
Question and answer
Is it possible to get infected with helminths through sexual contact?
Yes, if the partner is infected and does not take care of 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 diseases, including pneumonia, liver abscess and cirrhosis, ascites, hepatitis, as well as sepsis, peritonitis and various other dangerous conditions.
Is it possible to cure helminthiasis completely?
The prognosis for most helminthiases is good. A worsening prognosis is observed with the development of complications. Poor prognosis for cysticercosis of the central nervous system, eyes, as well as for echinococcosis, if surgical treatment is impossible.
Which doctor treats helminthic infestation?
Gastroenterologists deal with diseases of this group. If the patient has chronic pathology, specialized specialists are involved, for example, endocrinologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, etc. If necessary, general practitioners also participate, and when treating children, pediatricians.
What is fascioliasis?
This is a helminthic attack caused by worms of the genus trematodes. This helminth parasitizes liver cells and hepatobiliary tract. How does one become infected? Through infected water, as well as through the use of lettuce, parsley, etc. These plants may harbor parasitic larvae. This disease occurs in 2 stages - acute and chronic. In the acute stage, there may be high fever, skin rash, allergic lung damage, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and increased levels of eosinophils in the blood. Symptoms of the chronic stage are determined by the involvement of the hepatobiliary tract in the pathological process.