Helminthiases are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.<1_img_leftxx>Helminths can establish in a person's intestines, lungs, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs, helminth residues lead to intoxication. For humans, helminthiasis is also dangerous because it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces the absorption capacity of the intestine, reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, etc. You can become infected with helminths from drinking dirty water or unwashed food. In rare cases, the disease is transmitted through the skin or through the air.
Helminthiasis classification
By location:
- Intestinal.These include ascariasis, strongyloidosis, trichocephalosis, teniarinchiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes tominxosis and paragonymosis.
- Tissue.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opistorchiasis, fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
By internship:
- Sharp.Helminthiasis usually appears 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Depending on the severity of the helminth invasion, signs of helminthiasis are seen from 1 week to several months, then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronicle.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the characteristics of the parasite species. In the presence of helminths with larval reproduction (filariasis or strongyloidosis), allergic manifestations persist for a long time. In other forms of the disease, symptoms depend on the number, size and location of parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis and micronutrient deficiencies
Having established themselves in the human body, the parasites feed on blood and tissue juices, absorbing nutrients. For growth and reproduction, helminths first need microelements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body. The consequence of helminthiasis can be a deficiency of the following trace elements:
Zinc deficiency.It causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (resembles scab or scab), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.It leads to a decrease in immunity, it can cause the development of malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands, prostate.
Iodine deficiency.It causes stunted growth, impaired puberty, and underdevelopment of Organs reproductive organs. With a lack of iodine, mental retardation is possible, even dementia.
Manganese deficiency.It can cause brittle bones, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and genital tract degeneration.
Chromium deficiency.It causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), growth retardation and increases cholesterol levels.
signs of helminthiasis
- fever;
- multiple rashes;
- swelling of the face, conjunctivitis;
- upper respiratory tract inflammation;
- loose stools;
- in children, angina, lymphadenitis;
- bronchospasm, lung infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms (clinical picture) of helminthiasis
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of helminth infestation<2_img_leftxx>signs of general allergic reactions are characteristic: itchy 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. At the same time, the liver and spleen enlarge and central nervous system symptoms may develop.
Chronic Helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, the parasitism of several individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms. The characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taenids, large tapeworms, etc. ). Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite. In intestinal helminthiasis, pain, dyspeptic and asthenoneurotic syndromes are observed. Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, and bowel obstruction. Enterobiasis is characterized by itching of the anus at night. With clonorchiasis and opistorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis, and various lesions of the gastrointestinal tract can develop.
Helminthiasis and Infectious Diseases
Worm infestations increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases. Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the body as a whole. Thus, the parasites open up free access to body tissues for microbes and viruses. Helminthiasis may be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals. You can become infected with toxoplasmosis through transfusion of contaminated blood, eating foods made from thermally unprocessed meat or fish, or coming into contact with the patient's feces. Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development. Infection can cause fetal death or miscarriage. Among newborns infected with toxoplasmosis, there is a high risk of mortality.
Chlamydia.Infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats and humans. It may be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia. It affects the organs of vision, the reproductive and respiratory systems. Chlamydia is transmitted by airborne droplets, contact and sex.
Toksokara.The disease is seen in humans, pets, rodents. Pouring eggs remain viable for months in dry feces. You can get an infection through contact with pet dander or through the ground. The disease is accompanied by severe allergies and internal organ pathologies.
Diagnosis and therapy of helminthiasis
How to identify helminthiasis
Helminthiasis prevention mainly follows strict hygiene standards. It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly processed or unknown foods (fish, meat). Early detection of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention. The diagnosis of helminthiasis is made by identifying helminth larvae and eggs. Most of the time, they are located 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 and therefore cannot be found in the faeces. An innovative method allows to identify the presence of helminths and assess the general state of the body through the iris of the eyes. The method is based on the fact that each organ has a projection in a certain segment of the "iris", where it transmits information about its state through the visceral centers of the brain. This diagnosis of helminths allows the detection of parasites even in cases where the usual test for helminth eggs is negative.
<3_img_leftxx>How to get rid of helminthiasis
An effective, safe and proven way to get rid of helminth invasion and replenish necessary microelements in the body is a helminth drug complex, which improves health in several key areas at the same time:
- improve immunity;
- normalize metabolism;
- improve the enzyme functions of the stomach, pancreas, intestines;
- remove signs of allergies;
- normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.
Antiparasitic Wellness Program
To eliminate helminthiasis, it is necessary to use broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs for 3 months. Between each month of admission, a 7-day break is required.