Most often, various parasitic organisms affect the organs of the digestive tract - the stomach or intestines.But these organs are not the only place 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, jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes of the organs, etc.Therefore, identification of parasitic infections is not easy because the symptoms are similar to other liver diseases.
What parasites can live in the liver
The following types of parasites are most often found in the liver:
- Roundworms– these parasites enter the liver through the bile ducts from the intestine.The disease is caused by ascariasis, which is characterized by itching and rash on the skin, discomfort in the area of the liver, and in some cases nausea and vomiting.
- Giardia- another common type of parasite that affects the liver.In giardiasis, the patient experiences pain in the hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting, a yellow tint of the skin, itching and a rash.
- Echinococcus– these organisms cause the disease echinococcosis, in which several cystic masses containing worms form 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 it is recommended to get vaccinated before visiting them.Opisthorchises parasitize the ducts of the liver and gall bladder and cause severe diseases of these organs.
- Schistosomes– also common in South Asian countries, live mainly in aquatic environments, so they can become infected by swimming in a body of water.Schistosomes cause the dangerous disease schistosomiasis, which often causes cirrhosis and other diseases.
- Strongyloides- when swallowed, they contribute to the development of strongyloidosis, characterized by pain in the hypochondrium, lack of appetite, yellowness of the skin and a bitter taste in the mouth.
- Amoeba- with amoebiasis, the liver enlarges several times, abscesses are formed.The infected person experiences severe pain in the side, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
- Ciliated– when ingested, they cause the disease balantidiasis, which is rarely diagnosed, but is very dangerous.In case of balantidiasis, painful sensations appear in the affected area, aggravated by palpation, the presence of bloody stools, dryness and a yellow tint of the skin.
- Liver fluke- a worm that affects the liver ducts and causes a malfunction of the biliary system, including a disease such as cholangitis.The patient loses appetite, loses a lot of weight, experiences pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium, an increase in body temperature, rash and itching on the skin.
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.
- In contact with an infected person.
- Through the feces of infected animals.
- Through dirty hands.
- When playing with domestic (or street) animals.
- In contact with the ground, the soil contains a huge number of parasitic worms and their larvae.
- When swimming in stagnant water.
The main reason worms enter the body is through the mouth;some types penetrate the skin.
Diagnosis
To identify parasitic infections in the liver, you should undergo a number of tests:
- General blood test.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Urinalysis.
- Bile analysis.
- Biochemical analysis of feces.
- Blood test for the presence of antibodies against parasites - their increased content shows that the body is trying to fight the worms.
- Scatological analysis of feces.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and liver will show the presence of cystic formations, abscesses, the size of the liver and other factors indicating the presence of parasites.
Treatment
When you get rid of helminths, you need to remember one important rule:no self-medication!The necessary therapy is prescribed only by a doctor based on the type of parasites, the degree of damage and other indications.Self-medication is fraught with severe complications and death.
Therapy for helminthiasis is aimed at:
- Elimination of the consequences of poisoning the body.
- Removal of parasites from the body.
- Improving enzyme activity of the liver and intestines.
- Preventing subsequent infections.
Regardless of the type of disease, the infected 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 meat, pre-heated, steamed vegetables and dairy products.Drink plain, clean, filtered or boiled water as much as possible.
The patient is prescribed drug therapy:
- Anthelmintics– 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 system of the gastrointestinal tract is completely cleansed, including the liver and its channels.
- Antidiarrheal agents– Diarrhea often occurs with helminthic infestations, so antidiarrheal drugs are prescribed to eliminate it.
- Antiallergic drugs- when infected with parasites, various allergic reactions occur in the form of rash, burning, itching on the skin.Antihistamines are prescribed to eliminate allergies.
- Medicines that normalize liver function- consolidate the effect of cleansing the liver and promote the regeneration of damaged cells of the organ and normalize its functioning.
- Vitamins and mineral complexes - restore the balance of nutrients in the body.
Prevention of infection
It is very easy to get infected with parasites, so to prevent infection, you should remember the following important rules:
- Wash your hands as often as possible, especially after playing with animals, working with your hands, after using the toilet and going outside.
- When working with your finger, wear only protective gloves.
- Consume only thoroughly washed fruits and vegetables.
- Do not drink raw water.
- Boil or fry the meat well.
- Do not swim in stagnant or unfamiliar bodies of water.
- Before visiting other countries, get vaccinated against parasites that are common in the area.