Parasites in the body are a common problem, the presence of which the patient himself may not even be aware of.What methods are used to diagnose helminthiasis and how to get rid of "uninvited guests" in today's article.
Diagnosis of the disease: analysis of parasites
The presence of parasites, their larvae and eggs in the human body is determined by examining the contents of the patient's urine or feces, duodenum, bile, rectal and perianal mucus, sputum, blood and muscle cells.It is worth noting that there are situations when the patient is diagnosed with the presence of several parasites, and sometimes several stages of the development of helminthiasis - from larvae to mature individuals that lay eggs in the intestines.
Trichinella and strongyloid larvae can be detected in the blood if you perform a parasite analysis using coagulants, pass the blood through a centrifuge, and examine the composition of the plasma supernatant with a microscope.
The presence of antibodies against nematodes can be determined by a blood test no later than two months after infection, while these parasites remain in the body in the form of larvae.For this reason, parasite analysis is important during this period.After the so-called larval period, the antibodies are removed from the systemic circulation.The most accurate test results can be obtained with the serological diagnostic method.However, it has a significant drawback - it is a rather expensive test, which, moreover, can only be performed in a special laboratory.Local diagnosis is performed with ultrasound of the internal organs, computed tomography and endoscopy with biopsy.
Parasites in the body: treatment methods
Experts recommend taking measures to prevent helminthiasis in preschool children in spring and autumn.As a general rule, this is quite enough.However, if necessary (a dangerous epidemiological situation or an obvious manifestation of helminthiasis in the baby), it is reasonable to carry out additional deworming measures.
In the acute phase of the disease, the basis of therapy is usually desensitization and detoxification.The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment process makes sense only in severe forms of some forms of helminthiasis.The fact is that as a result of the incorrect use of these drugs, complications such as the generalization of the invasion or the transformation of the acute phase into a sluggish subacute phase can occur.
Advocates of alternative medicine have long used special plants with anti-parasitic properties to kill parasites in the body and prevent infections.Today, these plants are used in the pharmaceutical industry as raw materials for the preparation of herbal preparations and supplements.However, do not rush to the pharmacy for "herbs" if you suspect that there are parasites in the body.All medicines, including herbs, can only be prescribed by a doctor.It is prescribed with extreme caution to patients allergic to herbs.Also, you need to be extremely careful when determining the dosage.
Some housewives use certain herbs as spices when cooking, which can fight parasites in the body.By the way, a strange trend can be observed in the consumption of large amounts of spices among the people of the southern countries, where the probability of the development of parasitic diseases is particularly high.
The main method of drug treatment of helminths is specific therapy, during which special anthelmintic drugs are used.
During deworming, the patient may experience unpleasant symptoms, which some people mistake for side effects of medications.Nevertheless, the cause of these manifestations is very often changes in the body related to the destruction of parasites.In general, these are short-lived phenomena, the unpleasant effects of which are neutralized with the help of sorbents.However, parasites in the body are a serious disease, the treatment of which must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Prevention of parasites
As already mentioned, anthelmintic courses are recommended twice a year - in spring, preferably in March or April (after the snow melts) and in autumn, after the first frost (in October or November).In addition, effective preventive measures are the observance of basic hygiene rules, i.e. washing hands with soap after going outdoors, after visiting the toilet and crowded places, treating children's toys with soapy water, and thoroughly washing plant products in plenty of water before consumption.In addition, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of meat and fish products that have not undergone heat treatment.If alarming symptoms appear, consult a doctor, who will examine the parasites and, if necessary, prescribe the appropriate treatment.