Often, various parasitic organisms affect the organs of the digestive system - the stomach or intestines.But these organs are not the only places where worms and other parasites live;They can also affect other areas of the body, including the liver.
Symptoms of infection are the same for all infections - pain in the side, itching, skin rash, mucous membranes of the skin and organs, etc.Therefore, it is not easy to identify parasitic infections because the symptoms are similar to other liver diseases.
What parasite can live in the liver?
Most often, the following types of parasites are located in the liver:
- Mills- These parasites enter the liver from the intestines through the bile ducts.The disease is caused by Ascariasis, characterized by itching and shedding of the skin in the area of the liver and in some cases nausea and vomiting.
- Gigi- Another common type of parasite that affects the liver.With giardiasis, the patient experiences pain in the hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting, yellow skin tone, itching and rash.
- Echinococcus- These organisms cause echinococcosis, a disease in which several cystic masses form worms in the affected organ.The disease is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin, and as the disease progresses, the cysts begin to increase in size.
- Opisthorchis- This type of parasite is common in South Asian countries, so vaccinations are recommended before visiting.OpistHorches parasitizes the ducts of the liver and gall bladder and causes severe diseases of these organs.
- Schistosomes- Also common in South Asian countries, they live mainly in aquatic environments, so they can be infected by swimming in a pond.Schistosomes often cause the dangerous disease schistosomiasis, which causes cirrhosis and other diseases.
- Strongyloides- When seen, they contribute to the development of strong contributions characterized by pain in the hypochondrium, loss of appetite, yellowness of the skin and a bitter taste in the mouth.
- Amoeba- With amoebiasis, the liver is enlarged several times, in the form of an abscess.An infected person experiences severe pain in the side, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
- Cilative- When seen, they cause balansidiosis, a disease that is rarely diagnosed, but it is very dangerous.With balantidiasis, there is pain in the affected area, aggravated by palpation, bloody stool, dryness and a yellow tint to the skin.
- Liver fluke- a worm that affects the liver ducts and causes dysfunction of the weapon system, including a disease such as cholangitis.A sick person loses appetite, loses a lot of weight, experiences pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium, increased body temperature, itching and itching of the skin.
Routes of infection
Worms can enter the body in the following ways:
- When eating dirty vegetables and fruits.
- When eaten raw, it is under the meat.
- When drinking raw and untreated water.
- When in contact with an infected person.
- Through the feces of infected animals.
- Through dirty hands.
- When playing with local (or street) animals.
- There are many parasitic worms and larvae in the soil in contact with the soil.
- Swimming in still water.
The main way worms enter the body is through the mouth;Some species penetrate the skin.
Diagnostics
To identify parasitic infections in the liver, you should undergo a series of examinations:
- General blood test.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Urinalysis.
- Bile analysis.
- Biochemical analysis of feces.
- A blood test for the presence of antibodies to parasites - their increased content indicates that the body is trying to fight the worms itself.
- Stool scatological analysis.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen and liver will show the presence of cystic formations, abscesses, liver size and other factors that indicate the presence of parasites.
Treatment
One important rule to remember when getting rid of helminths:Do not self-medicate!Necessary therapy is prescribed only by a doctor based on the type of parasites, damage and other symptoms.Self-medication is fraught with serious complications and death.
Therapy for helminthiases is aimed at:
- Eliminating the consequences of poisoning the body.
- Removing parasites from the body.
- Improving the enzymatic activity of the liver and intestines.
- Prevention of further infections.
Regardless of the type of disease, an infected person must follow a diet.Fatty, fried, spicy, highly salty foods, flour and sweets should be excluded from the diet.
You should consume as much fiber as possible, which is found in cereals, lean meats, pre-treated, cooked vegetables and dairy products, meats that are heated.Drink clean, filtered or boiled water as regularly as possible.
The patient is prescribed drug therapy:
- Anthelmintic- Kill and remove parasites from the body, preventing further infections.
- Enterosorbents- These products "collect" all the toxic substances that poison the body and remove them from the body.Thanks to this, the entire gastrointestinal tract system is completely cleansed, including the liver and its channels.
- Antidiarrheals- Diarrhea often occurs with helminthic infestations, so antiiderrheal drugs are prescribed to eliminate it.
- Antiallergic drugs- When infected with parasites, various allergic reactions occur in the form of burning and itching of the skin.Antihistamines are prescribed to eliminate allergies.
- Medicines that normalize liver function- Combines the effect of cleansing the liver and promotes the recovery of damaged cells of the organ and normalizes its activity.
- Vitamins and mineral complexes - restore the nutritional balance in the body.
Prevention of infection
It is very easy to get infected with parasites, so you should remember the following important rules to prevent infection:
- Wash your hands as often as possible, especially after playing with animals, using the toilet, and after walking outside.
- Wear only protective gloves when working with soil.
- Consume only thoroughly washed fruits and vegetables.
- Do not drink raw water.
- Boil or fry the meat thoroughly.
- Do not swim in shallow or unfamiliar bodies of water.
- Before visiting other countries, get vaccinated against parasites that are common in the area.