Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus, which can remain in the human body for many years without showing symptoms.
Satylgan kyzy noted that the treatment of this disease takes from six months to a year, after which patients are monitored by a doctor for another five years. Currently, 36 people in the CSM No. 6 area are undergoing treatment, regularly taking tests, undergoing ultrasounds, and taking medications.
According to the infectious disease specialist, echinococcus worms can be found in the liver and lungs, and in rare cases, in the heart, brain, bones, and spinal cord. They can grow in size by 1-2 cm per year, and only after the formation of fluid-filled blisters do patients begin to experience symptoms. Since there are few nerve endings in the liver and lungs, the first signs may not appear immediately.
Symptoms of echinococcosis:
- lack of appetite;
- general weakness;
- weight loss;
- jaundice of the skin and eyes.
Ways of infection
Echinococcus worms are most commonly found in areas with a large number of livestock and in families with pets. Infection occurs from animals but is not transmitted from person to person, explained Satylgan kyzy.
In the external environment, worms can survive for up to a year in water, on grass, and on the fur of animals. They enter the body through unwashed vegetables and fruits, as well as due to insufficient hand hygiene before eating.
The infectious disease specialist also reported that if the size of the worm is up to 3 mm in children and up to 5-6 mm in adults, medication treatment is possible. However, if the size exceeds these parameters, surgical intervention will be required. Worms located in the lungs can be seen on fluorography. It is important to remember that even if at least one worm remains after surgery, it can reproduce again and cause a recurrence of the disease.
Prevention includes regular hand washing, maintaining personal hygiene, and thoroughly processing vegetables and fruits in warm boiled water. It is also necessary to carefully clean hands and nails after contact with animals, as well as to timely vaccinate and check pets with veterinarians. It is recommended to undergo examinations every six months or a year, taking tests and performing ultrasounds.
