Helminth infections are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms.
Helminths can reside in the human intestines, lungs, gallbladder and bile ducts.Parasites cause mechanical damage to internal organs and helminth waste products leading to poisoning.Helminth disease is also dangerous for humans because it suppresses the immune system, aggravates other diseases, leads to increased fatigue, reduces intestinal absorption, 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 air.
Classification of helminths
By localization:
- Intestinal tract.These include ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, bristleworm disease, teniarinchz disease, etc.
- Lung.This group includes tominxosis and paragonimiasis.
- Fabrics.This class includes schistosomiasis, trichinosis, filariasis and onchocerciasis.
- Hepatobiliary system.This group includes opisthorchiasis, trypanosomiasis, and clonorchiasis.
By stage:
- Spicy.Helminth disease usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection.Depending on the severity of helminth infection, signs of helminth infection are observed from 1 week to several months, after which the disease becomes chronic.
- Chronic.Clinical manifestations of chronic helminthiasis depend on the species characteristics of the parasite.In the presence of helminths with larval reproduction (filariasis or strongyloidiasis), allergic manifestations persist for a long time.In other forms of the disease, symptoms depend on the number, size and location of the parasites in the body.
Helminth disease and micronutrient deficiency
Settling in the human body, the parasite feeds on blood and tissue fluids, absorbing nutrients.For growth and reproduction, helminths first of all need trace elements, 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.Causes prostatitis, infertility, dwarfism, parakeratosis (like scabies or scabies), various tumors and many other pathologies.
Selenium deficiency.Leads to reduced immunity and can stimulate the development of malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, mammary glands and prostate.
Iodine deficiency.Causes growth retardation, impaired puberty and underdevelopment of reproductive organs.If iodine is lacking, children can suffer from mental retardation and even memory loss.
Manganese deficiency.Can cause brittle bones, weight loss, seizures, dermatitis and genital tract degeneration.
Chromium deficiency.Causes fatigue, sugar intolerance (borderline diabetes), growth retardation and increased cholesterol levels.
Signs of helminth disease
- fever;
- various skin rashes;
- facial swelling, conjunctivitis;
- upper respiratory tract infection;
- loose stools;
- in children, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis;
- bronchospasm, lung infiltrates, pneumonia;
- myocarditis;
- hepatitis;
- meningitis.
Symptoms (clinical picture) of helminth disease
Acute helminth disease.For this form of helminth infection
Characteristic signs of a systemic allergic reaction: itchy skin, fever, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain.Acute helminthiasis often leads to the development of pulmonary syndrome, abdominal pain and gastric disorders.In this case, the liver and spleen increase in size and symptoms from the central nervous system may appear.
Chronic helminth disease.In many forms of helminthiasis, parasitism of single individuals occurs without any unpleasant symptoms.Characteristic signs of helminthiasis appear in the presence of large worms (taeniids, broad tapeworms, etc.).Symptoms depend on the type and location of the parasite.With intestinal helminths, pain, dyspeptic syndrome and neurasthenia are observed.Ascariasis can cause pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and intestinal obstruction.Enterobosis is characterized by itching in the anus at night.With clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, hepatitis, cholecystitis and various gastrointestinal lesions can develop.
Helminths and infectious diseases
Worm infections increase the risk of infectious diseases.Helminths reduce immunity and weaken the entire body.So, parasites allow bacteria and viruses to freely enter body tissues.Helminth disease can be accompanied by the following infectious diseases.
Toxoplasmosis.This is an infectious disease that affects humans and animals.You can get toxoplasmosis through contaminated blood transfusions, eating dishes made from unprocessed meat or fish, or by contact with a patient's stool.Toxoplasmosis is transmitted from mother to child during development in the uterus.Infection can cause fetal death or spontaneous abortion.There is a high risk of death in newborns with toxoplasmosis.
Chlamydia.An infectious disease that occurs in rodents, cats, and humans.May be accompanied by fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.Affects the visual organs, reproductive and respiratory systems.Chlamydia is transmitted through airborne droplets, physical contact, and sexual contact.
Toxocara.The disease is observed in humans, pets and rodents.Toxocara eggs survive for months in dry feces.The infection can be transmitted through contact with animal fur or through soil.The disease is accompanied by severe forms of allergies and pathologies of internal organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of helminths
How to recognize helminths
Prevention of helminthiasis mainly involves compliance with strict hygiene standards.It is unacceptable to drink raw water and eat poorly prepared or unfamiliar foods (fish, meat).Timely identification of people infected with parasites also plays an important role in prevention.Diagnosis of helminths is made by identifying helminth larvae and eggs.Usually they are localized in different parts of the digestive tract, so the most common method is fecal analysis.
In some cases, standard methods for diagnosing helminthiasis are ineffective.For example, some parasites do not lay eggs for long periods of time and therefore cannot be detected in stool.The innovative method allows you to detect the presence of helminths and assess the general condition of the body using the iris.This method is based on the fact that each organ has a projection onto a certain segment of the “iris”, where it transmits information about its condition through the visceral centers of the brain.This diagnosis of helminth infections helps to detect parasites even in cases where the usual test for helminth eggs is negative.
How to get rid of helminths
An effective, safe and proven means of eliminating helminthic infestations and replenishing the body with essential trace elements is an anthelmintic complex, which allows you to improve your health in several main areas at once:
- increase immunity;
- normalizes metabolism;
- improves enzyme function of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- reduces signs of allergies;
- normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract, etc.
Anti-parasitic health program
To eliminate helminths, it is necessary to take broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs for 3 months.Between each month of use you must take a 7-day break.