Parasites in the body are a common problem, the presence of which the patient himself may not even suspect.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 the patient is diagnosed with the presence of parasites of several species, 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 perform 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 against 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, parasite analysis is relevant during this period.After completion of the so-called larval period, the antibodies are removed from the systemic circulation.The most accurate result of the study can be obtained by a serological diagnostic method.However, it has one significant drawback - it is a rather expensive study, which, moreover, can only be done in a special laboratory.Local diagnosis is performed by 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 (a 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 the invasion or 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, adherents 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 "healing grass" if you suspect the presence of parasites in the body.All medicines, including herbal ones, must be prescribed exclusively by a doctor.They are prescribed with extreme caution to patients who are allergic to herbs.In addition, you must 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 amounts of spices is observed among the peoples of southern countries, where the probability 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 deworming process, the patient may experience unpleasant symptoms that some people mistakenly consider a side effect of the medication.However, the cause of these manifestations is very often changes in the body associated with the destruction of parasites.As a rule, these are short-term phenomena whose unpleasant effects 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.
Parasite prevention
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 the child's toys with soapy water and thoroughly washing plant products in several waters before consumption.In addition, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of 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.