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.
The symptoms of infection are the same for all infections - side pain, itching, rash, jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes of organs and so on.Therefore, identifying parasitic infections is not easy as the symptoms are similar to other liver diseases.
What parasites can live in the liver
Most often, the following types of parasites settle in the liver:
- Roundworms– these parasites enter the liver through the bile ducts from the intestines.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.In giardiasis, the patient feels pain in the hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin, itching and rash.
- Echinococcus– these organisms cause the disease echinococcosis, in which several cystic formations 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 gallbladder and cause serious diseases in these organs.
- Schistosomes– also common in South Asian countries, they live mainly in the aquatic environment, which is why they can become infected when swimming in a lagoon.Schistosomes cause the dangerous disease schistosomiasis, which often causes cirrhosis and other diseases.
- Strongyloides– when ingested, they contribute to the development of strongyloidiasis, characterized by pain in the hypochondrium, lack of appetite, yellowing of the skin and a bitter taste in the mouth.
- Amoeba– in amoebiasis, the liver increases in size several times, forming abscesses.An infected person experiences severe side pain, nausea and vomiting, and a fever.
- Ciliates– when ingested, they cause the disease balantidiasis, rarely diagnosed, but very dangerous.In balantidiasis, there are painful sensations in the affected area, worsened by palpation, the presence of bloody stools, dryness and a yellowish color on the skin.
- Liver fluke– a worm that affects the hepatic ducts and causes disruptions in the functioning of the biliary system, including a disease such as cholangitis.A sick person loses appetite, loses a lot of weight, feels pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium, an increase in body temperature, a rash and itchy skin.
Infection routes
Worms can enter the body in the following ways:
- When eating dirty vegetables and fruits.
- When eating raw and undercooked meat.
- When drinking raw, unboiled water.
- When coming into contact with an infected person.
- Through the feces of infected animals.
- Through dirty hands.
- When playing with domestic (or stray) animals.
- Upon contact with the soil, the soil contains a large number of parasitic worms and their larvae.
- When swimming in a stagnant body of 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 need to undergo several tests:
- General blood test.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Urinalysis.
- Biliary analysis.
- Biochemical analysis of feces.
- A blood test to detect the presence of antibodies against parasites - their increased content indicates that the body itself 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, liver size and other factors that indicate the presence of parasites.
Treatment
When getting 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 parasite, the degree of damage and other indications.Self-medication is fraught with serious complications and death.
Therapy for helminthiasis is aimed at:
- Elimination of the consequences of poisoning the body.
- Removing parasites from the body.
- Improve 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 cereals, lean meats, heat-treated, cooked vegetables and dairy products.Drink normal, clean, filtered or boiled water as much as possible.
The patient receives drug therapy:
- Anthelmintics– kill and remove parasites from the body, preventing new 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 ducts.
- Antidiarrheals– Diarrhea often occurs with helminthic infestations, so antidiarrheal medications are prescribed to eliminate it.
- Anti-allergy medications– when infected with parasites, various allergic reactions occur in the form of a rash, burning and itching of the skin.To eliminate allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.
- Medicines that normalize liver function– consolidate the cleansing effect of the liver and promote the regeneration of damaged cells in the organ and normalize its functioning.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes - restore the body's nutrient balance.
Infection prevention
It is very easy to become infected with parasites, therefore, to prevent infection, you need to remember the following important rules:
- Wash your hands whenever possible, especially after playing with animals, working with the land, after going to the bathroom and leaving the house.
- When working with soil, only use protective gloves.
- Consume only well-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 common in the region.