Parasites in the body are a common problem, the presence of which the patient himself may not 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.
Disease diagnosis: 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 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 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, the analysis for parasites is important during this period.After the end of the so-called larval period, the antibodies are removed from the systemic circulation.The most accurate result of the examination can be obtained using the serological diagnostic method.However, it has a significant drawback - it is a rather expensive examination, which, moreover, can only be done in a special laboratory.Local diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound of internal organs, computed tomography and endoscopy with biopsy.
Parasites in the body: methods of treatment
Experts recommend taking measures to prevent helminthiasis in preschool children in spring and autumn.As a rule, this is quite enough.However, if necessary (dangerous epidemiological situation or the presence of visible manifestations of helminthiasis in the baby), it makes sense to carry out additional measures for the removal of worms.
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 the improper use of these drugs, a complication such as the generalization of the invasion or the transformation of the acute phase into a slow 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 antiparasitic properties.Today these plants are used in the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material for the preparation of herbal preparations and supplements.However, do not rush to the pharmacy for "medicinal weeds" if you suspect the presence of parasites in the body.All medicines, including herbal medicines, must be prescribed exclusively by a doctor.They are prescribed very carefully to patients who are allergic to herbs.In addition, you should be extremely careful when determining the dose.
Some housewives use certain herbs that can fight parasites in the body as spices in the cooking process.By the way, a special tendency to consume large amounts of spices is observed in the peoples of southern countries, where the likelihood of developing parasitic diseases is particularly high.
The main method of drug control of helminths is specific therapy, during which special anthelmintic drugs are used.
During the process of removing the worms, the patient may experience unpleasant symptoms, which some people mistake as a side effect of the medication.However, the cause of these manifestations are often changes in the body related to 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 must 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 spring, preferably in March or April (after the snow has melted) and in autumn, after the first frost (in October or November).In addition, effective preventive measures are the observance of basic hygiene rules, that is, washing hands with soap after going outside, visiting the toilet and places with large crowds of people, treating children's toys with soapy water and thoroughly washing plant products in several waters before consumption.Also, it is advised 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 appropriate treatment.