Parasitic diseases >>>> Capillariasis is a disease of poor hygiene

Capillariasis is a disease of poor hygiene.

Helminthiases are widespread throughout all regions of the world. Where living organisms live, parasites also exist. And in order to get infected with any kind of worms, there is no need to travel far. But there is one type of helminths that you can bring with you from hot countries - this is capillariasis, a disease caused by a worm of the genus Capillaria. For the most part, this type of parasite is found in the Philippines and Thailand. America, Africa, Asia and Europe are less susceptible to the spread of this type of parasite.

Like any parasite, the Capillaria helminth lives in the intermediate stages of its existence in fish, small animals, and birds. It is released into the external environment with feces and can exist for months in the external environment (in water, in soil). Capillaria enters the human body with contaminated food (not washed vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, greens growing on the ground), with poorly heat-treated poultry or freshwater fish, as well as a result of inadequate hand hygiene and household items.

A person infected with Capillaria helminth is not dangerous to others, but his health and even life are at significant risk. The Capillaria parasite infects the small intestine, liver or lungs (if food accidentally gets into the trachea by inhalation). The incubation period can last up to two months, and signs of capillariasis build up gradually and can be observed for a long time (for example, two to three weeks).

Capillariasis signs:

violation of general well-being,
nausea outside of meals,
vomit,
watery diarrhea,
heaviness in the right hypochondrium,
bad breath may occur,
in a longer period, weight loss is possible,
in case of lung infection - shortness of breath, attacks of suffocation.

Treatment for capillariasis depends on correct diagnosis. Symptoms of the disease are similar to many diseases of the digestive tract, for this reason, the sick person himself can make the doctor understand that he was on vacation or a business trip and could have become infected with this type of parasite. When establishing a type of helminth, antiparasitic drugs are prescribed (most often Mebendazole and its analogues).

Capillariasis is dangerous due to dehydration, a decrease in blood pressure and, in case of untimely treatment, death. For this reason, in addition to antiparasitic therapy, supportive symptomatic therapy is carried out - restoration of water - salt balance, antiemetics, vitamin - mineral complexes.