Echinococcosis is a disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus, which are tapeworms.
Satylgan kyzy noted that the treatment process for patients with echinococcosis can take from 6 months to a year, after which they must be monitored by a doctor for five years. Currently, 36 people in the CSM No. 6 district are undergoing treatment, periodically taking tests, undergoing ultrasounds, and taking prescribed medications.
The infectious disease specialist also spoke about the signs, treatment methods, and preventive measures to combat echinococcosis. According to her, these worms can remain in the human body for a long time without showing symptoms of the disease. They reproduce in the organs where they are located and can grow in size by 1-2 cm per year. Echinococci most often inhabit the liver and lungs, and less frequently the heart, brain, bones, and spinal cord.
Some time after infection, fluids may form on the person's body, leading to the appearance of blisters. An increase in their size can compress neighboring organs or cause liver growth, which leads to the emergence of symptoms indicating the presence of the disease. Since there are few nerve endings in the liver and lungs, the first signs may not appear immediately, the doctor clarified.
The main symptoms of echinococcosis include:
- loss of appetite;
- weakness;
- weight loss;
- jaundice of the skin and eyes.
Ways of infection
Echinococcus worms are most commonly found in regions with a high concentration of livestock and in homes with pets. As emphasized by Satylgan kyzy, echinococcosis is transmitted from animals and does not spread between humans.
Externally, the worms can survive for up to a year in water, on grass, or in the fur of animals. Infection occurs through unwashed vegetables and fruits, as well as insufficient hand hygiene before eating.
According to the infectious disease specialist, if the worm is up to 3 mm in size in children and 5-6 mm in adults, treatment is possible with medication. However, if it is larger, surgical intervention may be required. If the worm is located in the lungs, it can be detected on a fluorography. It is important to remember that if at least one worm remains after surgery, it can reproduce again and cause a recurrence of the disease.
Prevention of echinococcosis includes regular hand washing, maintaining personal hygiene, and thoroughly processing vegetables and fruits in warm boiled water. It is necessary to monitor hand cleanliness, especially after contact with animals, as well as to timely vaccinate livestock and pets, regularly checking them with a veterinarian. Every person is recommended to undergo examinations, including tests and ultrasounds, every six months or year.
