Helminth infections or helminth infestations are acute infectious diseases caused by the entry of special parasites, helminths, into the body of an adult. These include flatworms, roundworms, ringworms and others. These pathologies have a systemic effect and almost always occur chronically. Identification of symptoms, analysis of causes and treatment of helminth infestations in adult patients are carried out by gastroenterologists with the participation of therapists, infectious disease specialists and other specialists, if necessary.
About the disease
Currently, up to 70 varieties of helminths are found in our country. In total, up to 250 species of parasites that cause helminth infestations are known to science.
The mechanism of infection is simple: the eggs of the parasite enter the human body together with contaminated food or water, after which they settle 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 someone else's hygiene items or underwear. Some types of parasites are able to enter the body along with inhaled air.
Types
Taking into account the characteristics of the infection, experts highlight:
- biohelminthiasis: an intermediate host is required for the development and transmission of the pathogen;
- geohelminthiasis: there is no intermediate host, the maturation of the eggs and/or larvae occurs in the soil;
- contact helminth infections: the pathogen is 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 roundworms, and flatworms, which include tapeworms and trematodes.
Symptoms
In the clinical course of helminthiasis in adult patients, taking into account the signs, two main stages are distinguished:
- acute, lasting up to 2 months;
- chronic, lasting up to several years.
Different types of helminths affect different parts of the body:
- roundworms, bovine and porcine tapeworms, pinworms – large intestine;
- flukes – liver, bile ducts;
- echinococci, lung flukes – organs of the respiratory system;
- echinococci, alveococci, schistosomiasis - parts of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;
- necators, cestodosis – circulatory system;
- trichinella, filariae - organs of the lymphatic structure.
The main symptoms of helminthiasis in adults in the acute phase are:
- muscular pain;
- increased body temperature;
- chills;
- abdominal pain;
- flatulence and other dyspeptic phenomena;
- general deterioration of health;
- weakness;
- rapid fatigability;
- dry cough;
- dyspnea;
- greater irritability.
Some patients note a marked decrease in appetite, others, on the contrary, complain of a constant feeling of hunger, sometimes a change in taste preferences.
The chronic form of helminth infestation in adults is accompanied by signs of general intoxication of the body and specific symptoms determined by the location of the parasites. Most often they are:
- constant abdominal pain, which worsens after eating or doing physical work;
- flatulence;
- swelling;
- intestinal disorder.
Associated symptoms include:
- constant tiredness;
- apathy;
- unmotivated weight loss;
- skin rashes;
- itchy skin;
- excessive irritability;
- bursts of appetite, alternating with complete indifference to food.
An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs reveals a marked enlargement of the liver and spleen. Using laboratory blood tests, severe iron deficiency anemia and lack of certain minerals in the body can be determined.
When intestinal parasites migrate to nearby organs and structures, women may develop vaginitis, vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis, and salpingo-oophoritis.
If the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are affected, the main signs of the disease will be:
- severe shortness of breath;
- frequent dry cough;
- feeling tired, weak;
- arrhythmia.
If the organs of the lymphatic system are affected, swollen lymph nodes and swelling of the genital and mammary glands may occur.
Causes
The main reason for the development of helminthiasis is the consumption of foods that contain larvae or eggs of parasites inside or on the surface:
- raw and undercooked beef, pork, chicken and other meats;
- fresh red fish;
- raw eggs;
- poorly washed fruits, vegetables, fruits and herbs.
Sometimes infection occurs through drinking water that does not pass through a filter system and through water contained in natural reservoirs and swimming pools.
By contact, helminths can be transmitted through underwear and bed linen, common objects (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 helminth infestation for laboratory tests. These include:
- clinical blood test;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- ELISA or PCR as indicated;
- specific tests to evaluate liver function;
- curettage for enterobiasis;
- histology of various tissues and biological fluids.
An ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen, kidneys and x-ray of the gastrointestinal tract is mandatory. In addition, computer or MRI, endoscopic techniques for examining different parts of the intestine, and other procedures can be used.
Expert opinion
The prevalence of helminthiasis in some regions of the country reaches 10%. This is due not only to the poor quality of food products, but also to the failure to comply with basic safety standards. You should not eat raw meat and fish, or buy goods, especially semi-finished products and ready-made meals, from dubious outlets. It is necessary to thoroughly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap before eating, as well as fruits, vegetables and other fruits of nature, even if grown with your own hands in your own garden. There may be contaminated feces in the soil, in which helminth eggs are stored perfectly for a long time. If signs of illness or symptoms appear that may indicate helminthiasis, it is necessary to contact qualified specialists and in no case use traditional methods.
Treatment
In the vast majority of cases, hospitalization of patients is not necessary 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 developed a complication due to a helminth infestation or whose condition is aggravated by chronic systemic diseases are subjected to therapy.
The basis of treatment is anthelmintic drugs with various spectrums of action. The dosage, regimen and specific type of drug are selected only by the attending physician, based on laboratory test data, weight and age of the patient.
Furthermore, the following may be assigned:
- detoxification measures;
- antipyretics;
- antiallergic and antipruritic drugs;
- diuretics for edema.
Patients are advised to follow a light diet with a limit on heavy, fried, smoked and pickled foods, which can have an additional irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Prevention
The following are recommended as preventive measures:
- check the quality of drinking water by using boiled, carefully filtered or bottled water;
- do not eat raw meat and fish;
- purchase food products at official sales points;
- wash vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs before eating them;
- do not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- carry out regular wet cleaning in areas where pets live;
- do not eat fruit from the garden without washing it;
- treat pets from parasites.
People who are constantly in contact with land, animals, who often go fishing and hunting, or visit countries or regions with a low standard of living, need to take preventive drugs twice a year for safety reasons. Your doctor will tell you how to do it correctly and what drugs to use during a personal consultation.
Questions and answers
Is it possible to get helminth infection through sexual contact?
Yes, if the partner is infected and does not take good care of personal hygiene. This can also happen during anal sex.
What happens if helminthiasis is not treated?
Nothing good. The consequences of the invasion can be serious chronic and acute diseases, including pneumonia, liver abscess and cirrhosis, ascites, hepatitis, as well as sepsis, peritonitis and a number of other dangerous conditions.
Is it possible to completely cure helminthiasis?
The prognosis for most helminthiasis is favorable. A worsening of the prognosis is observed with the development of complications. An unfavorable prognosis for cysticercosis of the central nervous system, eyes and for echinococcosis, if surgical treatment is impossible.
Which doctor treats helminth infestations?
A gastroenterologist deals with diseases of this group. If the patient has chronic pathologies, a specialized specialist is involved, for example, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, etc. If necessary, a general practitioner also participates and, in the case of treating children, a pediatrician.
What is fascioliasis?
This is a helminth infestation caused by worms of the trematode genus. This helminth parasitizes cells of the liver and hepatobiliary tract. How does a person get infected? Through infected water, as well as through the consumption of lettuce, parsley, etc. These plants can host parasite larvae. The disease occurs in 2 phases: acute and chronic. In the acute phase, high fever, skin rashes, allergic lung damage, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and increased levels of eosinophils in the blood may occur. The symptoms of the chronic stage are determined by the involvement of the hepatobiliary tract in the pathological process.