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” will be discussed in today’s article.
Diagnosis of the disease: analysis for parasites
The presence of parasites, their larvae, and eggs in the human body is determined by examining the patient’s urine or feces, the contents of the duodenum, bile, rectal and perianal mucus, sputum, blood, and muscle cells.It is worth noting that there are situations when a patient is diagnosed with the presence of parasites of several types, and sometimes several stages of 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 do an analysis for parasites using coagulants, pass the blood through a centrifuge and examine the composition of the supernatant part of the plasma using a microscope.
It is possible to determine the presence of antibodies to nematodes using 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, analysis for parasites is relevant during this period.After the completion of the so-called larval period, antibodies are removed from the systemic circulation.The most accurate examination result can be obtained using the serological diagnostic method.However, it has one significant drawback - it is a rather expensive examination, which, moreover, can only be done in a special laboratory.Topical diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound of internal organs, computed tomography, and endoscopy with biopsy.
Parasites in the body: treatment methods
Experts recommend carrying out measures to prevent helminthiasis in preschool children in spring and autumn.As a rule, this is quite enough.Nevertheless, if necessary (dangerous epidemiological situation or the presence of obvious manifestations of helminthiasis in the baby), it makes sense to carry out additional deworming measures.
The basis of therapy for the acute phase of the disease, as a rule, is desensitization and detoxification.The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment process makes sense only in the case of severe forms of some forms of helminthiasis.The fact is that as a result of improper use of these drugs, a complication such as generalization of invasion or transformation of the acute phase into a sluggish subacute phase is possible.
For a long time, to destroy parasites in the body, as well as to prevent infection, proponents of alternative medicine have used special plants that have anti-parasitic properties.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 “medicinal weed” if you suspect the presence of parasites in the body.All medications, including herbal remedies, should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor.They are prescribed with extreme caution to patients who are allergic to herbs.In addition, you need to be extremely careful when determining the dosage.
Some housewives use certain herbs that can fight parasites in the body as spices in the cooking process.By the way, a particular tendency to consume large quantities of spices is observed among the peoples of southern countries, where the likelihood of developing parasitic diseases is especially high.
The main method of drug control of helminths is specific therapy, during which special anthelmintic drugs are used.
During the deworming process, the patient may experience unpleasant symptoms, which some people mistake for a side effect of the medications.Nevertheless, the cause of these manifestations is very often changes in the body associated with the destruction of parasites.As a rule, 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 should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Prevention of parasites
As we have already said, anthelmintic courses are recommended to be carried out twice a year - in the spring, preferably in March or April (after the snow has melted) and in the fall, after the first frost (in October or November).In addition, effective preventive measures are compliance with basic hygiene rules, that is, washing hands with soap after going outside, visiting the toilet and places with large crowds of people, treating the child’s toys with soapy water, and thoroughly washing plant products in several waters before consumption.In addition, it is advisable to avoid eating meat and fish products that have not undergone heat treatment.If alarming symptoms appear, you should visit a doctor who will test for parasites and, if necessary, prescribe the correct treatment.