Bovine tapeworm: symptoms in humans, photos, signs and treatment

Bovine tapeworm or tapeworm is a type of tapeworm. In case of untimely treatment, it causes a chronic form of the disease - teniarinhoz. Bovine tapeworm parasitizes in the human intestine and reaches a length of 6-10 m.

The structure of the parasite consists of a head with 4 suction cups, a neck and a body, which is divided into segments (approximately 1000-2000 pieces). Mature segments leave the body in 6-8 pieces every day, and leave the intestines. In this case, the length of the parasite does not decrease.

Vital activity of the parasite

The bovine tapeworm is hermaphrodite and can produce about 130-160 thousand eggs.

This parasite has a number of characteristics:

• held on the intestinal walls with suction cups;
• there are no sense organs and the nervous system is poorly developed;
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• has a protective layer - the cuticle, which helps the parasite avoid digestion;
• there are no respiratory and circulatory systems;
• there is no digestive system. Nutrition occurs due to the absorption of substances by the whole body;
• high fertility rate;
• development through a change of owners.

Solitaire has several stages of development:

• Egg formation, which occurs during fertilization between 2 segments of one individual, two parasites or in one proglottid. In the resulting egg, the larva begins to form.
• The first stage of larval development - the oncosphere contained in the eggs, which are located in the segments. Together they enter the external environment.
• From the oncosphere, the larva enters the animal's body (cows), which becomes intermediate hosts. In the cow's body, it is transformed into a spherical shape with spikes. Passing through the intestinal walls, they penetrate the lymph and blood. Then they enter the muscle tissue.
• Oncospheres transform into Finnswhich have a circle-like shape and are not much concave, this is the future head of the parasite. They are able to stay in muscle tissue for a long time.
• Finns enter the human body when eating meatwhere the parasite continues to develop. Bovine tapeworm parasitizes in the human intestine, developing to a sexually mature worm with proglotids, where eggs are gradually formed. This ends the life cycle of the parasite and begins again.

Causes of occurrence

The main and only cause of the disease is eating contaminated meat that has been improperly cooked.

Stages of the disease

Teniarinhoz has 2 stages of development: early and chronic. The early stage usually proceeds without causing symptoms in the person. But the chronic stage has a number of symptoms.

Symptoms

The chronic stage of the disease is characterized by such signs and symptoms in humans as:

• the occurrence of nausea and vomiting of an unclear etiology;
• upset stool, as well as flatulence;
• dizziness;
• loss of normal sleep;
• weakness and fatigue;
• acute abdominal pain without precise localization;
• changes in appetite up or down;
• allergic reactions;
• with a large accumulation of helminths, intestinal obstruction may occur;
• arises anemiadue to lack of vitamin B12.

There are cases when the disease does not manifest itself at all. Suspect the presence parasite in the body it is possible only when the segments or the entire helminth exit.

Helminth exit

It is rare, but nevertheless, that the segments enter the ear through the canal between the middle ear and the pharynx. There are also cases when helminths settled in the respiratory tract and went out with vomiting. But cases of rare location of parasites in the stomach were also recorded.

In most cases, the parasite crawls out of the intestines along with the feces.

Complications

With untimely treatment, complications such as:

• intestinal obstruction;
• intestinal colic;
• anemia;
• development of peritonitis;
• pancreatitis;
• localization of the parasite in other organs;
• there is a deficiency of nutrients that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body;
• the body is poisoned by toxins that the parasite releases during its life;
• preterm labor may occur in pregnant women;
• cysticercosis (with blood, helminth eggs enter the heart, brain, lungs, eyes).

Diagnostics

To diagnose tapeworm infection, the following research methods are used:

• analysis of feces by scraping or ovoscopy of feces;
• a general blood test, which reveals a decrease in the level of erythrocytes and leukocytes;
• the study of gastric juice, with infection, a decrease in acidity occurs;
• intestinal x-ray;
• examination of feces under a microscope - this method gives a 100% result.

Treatment

Treatment of the disease consists of three stages:

• preparatory;
• treatment with anti-parasite agents;
• recovery stage.

Drug treatment

For the first stage of treatment, drugs are used that contribute to the removal of toxins formed during the life of the parasite, for example Enterosgel or other sorbents.

For the second stage of the treatment of teniarhynchiasis, drugs are used to destroy worms. For example, Fenasal, which neutralizes the resistance of parasites to digestion, and it also causes paralysis of helminths, which is why they are unable to linger in the intestines.

Also appoint

• Biltricide;
• Praziquantel;
• Dichlosal.

These drugs are mainly taken once, but in any case, the dosage is prescribed by the doctor.

For the last stage, it is necessary to follow a diet, herbal medicine is carried out to restore the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and immunity.

Surgery

Surgery is performed only in extreme cases. The main reason for the operation may be intestinal obstruction.

Complementary home treatments

As an additional treatment, it is possible to use infusions, pumpkin seeds. But all methods of treatment with traditional medicine must be carried out strictly with the permission of a doctor. Since the reception and treatment without a medical prescription, any drugs for bovine tapeworm can lead to serious complications.

Food

For the duration of treatment, it is necessary to completely exclude from the diet such foods as:

• cabbage;
• garlic;
• legumes;
• beet;
• sorrel;
• grape;
• raspberries;
• apricots.

Do not eat salty, spicy, smoked and fatty foods.

Do not consume drinks such as coffee, alcohol, milk and soda.

With this disease, the diet should consist of fermented milk products, buckwheat, light soups, tea and jelly.

Herbs and infusions

Home treatment may consist of taking the following infusions:

• Recipe # 1. You will need 1 tablespoon of dried elecampane roots. Pour 1 cup boiling water over and leave for 10 hours. The course is 4-5 days. The infusion must be taken 2 tablespoons every 3 hours.
• Recipe # 2. It is necessary to mix in equal parts chamomile flowers and wormwood leaves. From the resulting mixture, you need to take 2 tablespoons of the collection. Then pour into a thermos and pour half a liter of boiling water. Insist during the night. In the morning, the infusion must be filtered. Take in the morning and evening on an empty stomach. The course is 4-5 days.
• Recipe # 3. For the infusion, you need 2 tablespoons of immortelle herb or chopped valiana root. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave in a thermos overnight. In the morning, the infusion must be filtered. Consume 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day on an empty stomach.
• Recipe # 4. In the old days, they used this method. The patient was fed salted fish, but at the same time was not allowed to drink, as long as the person could bear it. Then a laxative was given. The bad thing about this method is that you had to wait for the parasite to come out on its own in a natural way.
• Recipe # 5. You will need 20 g of tansy flowers, peppermint, pumpkin seeds, buckthorn bark, mix everything. You need to take 1 tablespoon of the collection and pour 1 glass of water. Then heat in a water bath for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate and drain. Take 1 glass 2 times a day. The course is 3 days.
• Recipe # 6. Male fern extract:
  • A diet must be followed 2 days before taking the medicine. Do not eat fatty, salty, spicy foods.
  • Before treatment, drink tea with crackers and take a laxative. Before going to bed, eat a highly salted herring.
  • In the morning, you should start taking the drug, 1 capsule every 15 minutes.
  • After taking 10 capsules, take a laxative.
  • If, after 30 minutes, the act of defecation has not occurred, then a cleansing enema must be performed. If the head of the parasite does not come out, then it is necessary to repeat the enema (no more than 3 times).

Pumpkin seeds also have a very good effect for getting rid of parasites of this kind.

Dried pumpkin seeds should be consumed throughout the day. At the same time, consume a minimum amount of liquid. In the evening, you need to take a laxative.

Prophylaxis

To prevent the diagnosis of bovine tapeworm, prevention is necessary:

• first of all, it is necessary to eat meat that has undergone sufficient heat treatment. The eggs of the parasite die at a temperature of -12 degrees or at high temperatures for 2 hours or more;
• it is necessary to buy meat, especially beef and veal at trusted retail outlets;
• when buying, carefully examine the meat for the presence of larvae. They are visible to the naked eye;
• people working in the meat processing industry need to undergo medical examinations several times;
• observe personal hygiene. If there is a sick person in the family, then it is necessary to provide him with a separate dish. Bed linen should be ironed;
• for any manifestations of the disease or discomfort, consult a doctor and be examined for the presence of helminths.

Forecast

With a timely visit to a doctor and the correct method of treatment, the prognosis of the course and recovery is quite good.

Experts strongly recommend that for any discomfort or symptoms that appear, seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, complications are possible that will cause severe damage to health.

In no case should you self-medicate. Although some folk methods can help, they do not completely cure. And in some cases, they can do harm.

Bovine tapeworm is considered one of the most dangerous types of helminths. In addition to sucking nutrients from the body and excreting toxins, this parasite damages the intestinal walls, which can lead to atrophic processes.

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