Most often, various parasitic organisms affect the organs of the digestive tract - the stomach or intestines.But these organs are not the only habitat for worms and other parasites;They can also affect other areas of the body, including the liver.
The symptoms of infection are the same for all infections: pain in the side, itching, rash, jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes of organs and so on.Therefore, it is not easy to detect parasitic infections because the symptoms are similar to other liver diseases.
Which parasites can live in the liver?
The following types of parasites most often settle in the liver:
- Roundworms– These parasites travel from the intestines to the liver via the bile ducts.The disease is caused by ascariasis, which is characterized by itching and rash, discomfort in the liver area, and in some cases nausea and vomiting.
- Giardia- another common type of parasite that affects the liver.With giardiasis, the patient experiences pain in the hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting, yellow skin color, itching and rash.
- Echinococci– These organisms cause the disease echinococcosis, in which multiple cystic formations containing worms form in the affected organ.The disease is accompanied by nausea and vomiting as well as 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 it is recommended to get vaccinated before visiting there.Opisthorchises parasitize the ducts of the liver and gallbladder, causing serious diseases of these organs.
- schistosomes– also common in the countries of South Asia, they live mainly in bodies of water and can therefore become infected while swimming in a pond.Schistosomes cause the dangerous disease schistosomiasis, which often leads to liver cirrhosis and other diseases.
- Strongyloides– When ingested, they contribute to the development of strongyloidiasis, which is characterized by pain in the hypochondrium, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and a bitter taste in the mouth.
- amoeba– With amebiasis, the liver enlarges many times over and abscesses form.An infected person experiences severe pain in the side, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
- Ciliates– When ingested, they cause the rarely diagnosed but very dangerous disease balantidiasis.With balantidiasis, painful sensations appear in the affected area, aggravated by palpation, bloody stools, dryness and a yellow tint to the skin.
- Liver fluke– a worm that infects the liver ducts and causes dysfunction of the biliary system, including a disease such as cholangitis.A sick person loses appetite, loses a lot of weight, experiences abdominal and hypochondrium pain, increased body temperature, rash and itching.
Routes of infection
Worms can enter the body in the following ways:
- When eating dirty vegetables and fruits.
- When eating raw, undercooked meat.
- When drinking raw and unboiled water.
- Upon contact with an infected person.
- Through the feces of infected animals.
- Through dirty hands.
- When playing with pets (or street animals).
- When in contact with soil, the soil contains a large number of parasitic worms and their larvae.
- When swimming in stagnant water.
The main way worms enter the body is through the mouth;Some species penetrate the skin.
diagnosis
To detect parasitic infections in the liver, you need to undergo a number 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 on its own.
- Scatological stool analysis.
- An ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity and liver reveals the presence of cyst formations, abscesses, liver size and other factors that indicate the presence of parasites.
Treatment
When getting rid of helminths, you must remember one important rule:no self-medication!The necessary therapy is prescribed only by a doctor, depending on the type of parasites, the degree of damage and other indications.Self-medication is associated with serious complications and death.
Therapy for helminthiasis is aimed at:
- Elimination of the consequences of intoxication of the body.
- Removal of parasites from the body.
- Improvement of the enzymatic activity of the liver and intestines.
- Prevention of subsequent infections.
Regardless of the type of disease, an infected person must follow a diet.Fatty, fried, spicy, very salty foods, flour and sweets should be excluded from the diet.
You need to consume as much fiber as possible, which is found in grains, lean meats, preheated, steamed vegetables and dairy products.Drink plain, clean, filtered or boiled water as much as possible.
The patient is prescribed drug therapy:
- Anthelmintics– Kill parasites and remove them from the body, thus preventing further infections.
- Enterosorbents– These products “collect” all toxic substances that poison the body and remove them from the body.This completely cleanses the entire gastrointestinal tract system, including the liver and its ducts.
- Anti-diarrheal remedies– Diarrhea often occurs with helminthic infestation, so diarrhea medication is prescribed to eliminate it.
- Antiallergic medications– When infected with parasites, various allergic reactions occur in the form of rash, burning and itching.To eliminate allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.
- Drugs that normalize liver function– They enhance the effect of liver cleansing, promote the regeneration of damaged cells of the organ and normalize its function.
- Vitamins and mineral complexes – restore the nutrient balance in the body.
Infection prevention
It is very easy to become infected with parasites.Therefore, to prevent infection, you must adhere to the following important rules:
- Wash your hands as often as possible, especially after playing with animals, working with soil, using the toilet, and after going outside.
- Only wear protective gloves when working with soil.
- Only consume thoroughly washed fruits and vegetables.
- Don't drink raw water.
- Boil or fry the meat thoroughly.
- Do not swim in stagnant or unknown waters.
- Before traveling to other countries, get vaccinated against parasites that are common in the region.