According to experts, Lithuanians are reluctant to check for parasites, but they should do so. The latter can live in the human body for a whole year and slowly disrupt the functioning of vital organs.
“There is a misconception in society that you can get infected with parasites only because of poor hygiene, but this is not true. Parasites can be contracted after contact with pets, eating raw food, unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Parasites can also be contracted due to not regularly washing hands, so the smallest members of the family tend to get infected most often. Some parasites can spread through bedclothes, fabrics and other surfaces, so if one family member is infected, others will likely have them too,” warns Gabija Kruopytė, a pharmacist at Eurovaistinė.
Who gives away about uninvited guests?
Parasites living in the intestine can spread to other internal organs – liver, gall bladder, lungs, blood vessels, or even the brain and eyes. If the suckers (parasitic organisms) living in the intestine interfere with the absorption of nutrients, they can interfere with the functioning of the organs when they settle in the organs.
G. Kruopytė says that the symptoms can be various and do not differ from other health disorders, so the most effective way is regular preventive check-ups.
“Parasites living in the body can be signaled by symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite or constant hunger, stomach pains, weakened immunity, anemia or even disturbed sleep. In addition, allergic reactions – rashes and itching of various parts of the body, especially the anus – can signal about the pumps (parasitic organisms), says the pharmacist and reminds that such symptoms can also mean other diseases, but if you feel at least a few of them, check is recommended.
According to G. Kruopytė, the same drugs are usually used both for treatment and prevention: “It is not uncommon for families with pets to take a preventive dose of medicine every year. However, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before buying medication, as different age groups are often prescribed different medications or dosages.”
Lithuanians are reluctant to check
Daiva Veitienė, a parasitologist at the National Public Health Care Laboratory (NVSPL), says that everyone is recommended to have a preventive check-up for parasites at least once a year. Parasites such as roundworms, roundworms and parasites of cats, dogs, foxes – toxocariasis, echinococci, alveococci – spread through the soil and water of open springs.
“A person becomes infected by accidentally swallowing the eggs of these parasites. Blood serological tests are required to identify toxocariasis, if the toxocar larva hatched from the egg gets into the eye, the parasites will settle there as well. A person will definitely consult a doctor after noticing a moving spot in the eye, decreased visual acuity or even squinting. It is also possible to get infected with toxocariasis through food, improperly heat-treated meat contains toxocariasis larvae. in Lithuania since 2013 until 2023 in total, more than 500 people suffered from toxocarosis”, says D. Veitienė.
According to the specialist, echinococcosis and alveococcosis are extremely dangerous diseases, these parasites can infect dogs, foxes, wolves, etc. predatory animals and unwashed garden berries and vegetables.
“These parasites most often develop in the liver and lungs. An echinococcal cyst can grow up to 30-40 cm in size, while alveococcal cysts range from a few mm to 3 cm in size. The latter is the most dangerous, because as the cancer grows inside the internal organs, sometimes the vesicles break off and travel to other organs. Several or a dozen years may pass from the ingestion of the parasite egg to the development of the disease. According to morbidity statistics, echinococcosis in 2019-2023 about 300 people fell ill, 57 percent of all sick people. over 55 age,” says the doctor.
According to D. Veitienės, Lithuanians are reluctant to check for parasites, if they do check, usually only children living in the family. The doctor says that not only blood, but also feces should be checked regularly. It is best to check for parasites every year in the fall, because in the summer there is a higher risk of getting infected from garden products.
2024-09-09 07:32:09