Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasites.
Worms can live in the human intestines, lungs, gallbladder and bile ducts.Parasites can cause mechanical damage to internal organs, and worm waste can cause poisoning.Helminthosis is also dangerous to humans because it suppresses the immune system, aggravates the course of other diseases, causes increased fatigue, reduces the absorptive capacity of the intestines, reduces the effectiveness of vaccinations, etc.Worms can be contracted from drinking dirty water or unwashed food.In rare cases, the disease is spread through the skin or air.
Classification of helminths
By localization:
- Intestine.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, flagellosis, chiropodiasis, etc.
- Pulmonary.This group includes toxoplasmosis and paragonimiasis.
- Fabric.This category includes schistosomiasis, trichinellosis, toxocariasis and filariasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opiozoasis, fascioliasis, and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- hot.Helminthiasis usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of the helminth infection, signs of helminthiasis are observed within 1 week to several months, and then the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.The clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the species characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of worms with larval reproduction (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic symptoms can 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
Parasites take up residence in the human body, feeding on blood and tissue fluid and absorbing nutrients.The growth and reproduction of worms first require trace elements, which leads to a decrease in their content in the body.The consequences of helminthiasis may be deficiencies in the following trace elements:
Zinc deficiency.Causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (similar to scabies or scabies), various tumors, and many other conditions.
Selenium deficiency.Leads to reduced immunity and may trigger the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, breast and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.Causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and poor development of reproductive organs.A lack of iodine may lead to mental retardation and even dementia.
Manganese deficiency.May cause osteoporosis, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis, and genital tract degeneration.
Chromium deficiency.Causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), stunted growth and increases cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminthiasis
- fever;
- Various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- loose stool;
- In children, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis;
- Bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- Meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms of helminthiasis (clinical picture)
Acute helminthiasis.For this form of worm infection
Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction: itchy rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain.Acute helminthiasis often results in pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia.In this condition, the liver and spleen become enlarged, and central nervous system symptoms may occur.
Chronic helminthiasis.In many forms of helminthiasis, multiple individuals can be parasitized without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic symptoms of helminthiasis occur when large helminths (taenia, ectocystis, etc.) are present.Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.With intestinal helminthiasis, pain, dyspepsia, and neurasthenic syndromes may be observed.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, and intestinal obstruction.Pinworm disease is characterized by nocturnal itching of the anus.Clonorchiasis and opiodiasis can cause hepatitis, gallbladder cholangitis and various gastrointestinal lesions.
Helminths and infectious diseases
Worm infections increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases.Worms can lower immunity and weaken the entire body.Therefore, parasites allow free entry of microorganisms and viruses into body tissues.Helminthiasis may be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.It is an infectious disease that affects people and animals.You can get toxoplasmosis from a transfusion of contaminated blood, from eating dishes made from meat or fish that have not been heat-treated, or from contact with the feces of a sick person.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during intrauterine development.Infection can lead to fetal death or spontaneous abortion.Newborns infected with toxoplasmosis are at high risk of death.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats, and humans.May be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.Affects visual organs, reproductive system and respiratory system.Chlamydia is spread through airborne droplets, contact and sexual contact.
Toxocara.The disease is found in humans, livestock and rodents.Toxocara eggs can survive in dry feces for several months.The infection can be contracted through contact with animal fur or soil.The disease is associated with severe allergies and lesions of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis
How to recognize helminthiasis
Prevention of helminthiasis mainly involves observing strict hygiene standards.Drinking raw water and eating poorly processed or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat) are not acceptable.Prompt identification of parasite-infected individuals also plays an important role in prevention.Diagnosis of helminthiasis is made by identifying worm larvae and eggs.They are usually located in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, so the most common method is stool analysis.
In some cases, standard methods of diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for long and therefore cannot be detected in feces.This innovative method allows you to detect the presence of worms through the iris of the eye and assess the general condition of the body.The method is based on the fact that each organ has a projection on a specific part of the "iris", where it transmits information about its condition through the visceral center of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infection can detect parasites even when traditional helminth egg testing is negative.
How to get rid of worms
An effective, safe and proven way to eliminate helminth infections and replenish the body with essential trace elements is a helminth-specific drug complex that allows you to improve your health in several main aspects at the same time:
- Improve immunity;
- normalizes metabolism;
- Improves enzyme function of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- Relieve signs of allergies;
- Normalize gastrointestinal activity, etc.
Anti-Parasite Health Plan
To eliminate helminthiasis, broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs need to be taken for 3 months.A 7-day break is required between uses each month.