Hydythidosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus that can be transmitted to humans by ingestion of water or food contaminated with faeces from dogs infected with the parasite.
In most cases, hydatideosis takes years before the first symptoms appear and, when they occur, they are usually related to the location of the body where the parasite is present, and occur most often in the lungs and liver. For example, symptoms usually associated with hydatidosis include shortness of breath, frequent nausea, stomach swelling, or excessive fatigue.
- Although there is an antiparasitic drug treatment.
- Some cases need to be treated by surgery to eliminate parasites that develop in the body and.
- Therefore.
- The best way to eliminate the disease is to prevent infection with simple measures such as deworming all domestic dogs.
- Washing their hands before eating and preparing food properly.
The symptoms of hydasynthosis may vary depending on where the hydatic cyst forms, and there may be different symptoms, the main ones being:
In addition, if the hydatic cyst ruptures, other complications and life-threatening complications, such as pulmonary edema and anaphylactic shock, which is a type of severe allergic reaction may occur. Understand what anaphylactic shock is and how to treat it.
The parasite develops slowly, making the disease asymptomatic for several years, making it difficult to diagnose. However, the presence of the parasite can be identified by routine tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds, as the parasite forms cysts that can remain housed in multiple organs.
Thus, the diagnosis of hydatidosis is made by the infectious disease or the family doctor through the assessment of the signs and symptoms that may occur, imaging and laboratory tests, being the reaction of Casoni the laboratory test that is used to confirm the diagnosis of hydatidosis, because it identifies specific antibodies in the body of the person.
The definitive host of Echinococcus granulosus is the dog, that is, it is in the dog where the adult worm develops, whose eggs are released into the environment by faeces, contaminating food, children’s hands and pastures, for example.
Eggs can remain viable in the soil for several months or years and are normally consumed by pigs, oxen, goats or sheep, where a hydatic cyst develops in the liver and lungs, which dogs can consume, especially in places where animals are raised. for the slaughterhouse.
This disease is more common in children due to direct contact with dogs, for example, because eggs can adhere to the hair. In addition, contamination can occur from the consumption of contaminated food and water, allowing eggs to enter the body, become an oncosper in the stomach, alter blood and lymphatic circulation and then reach the liver, for example.
When it reaches the liver, lungs, brain, or bones, the onchosphere changes from the hydatic cyst in a slow process that can last 6 months or longer.
Treatment is done with the aim of removing parasites from the person’s body and removing cysts from the parasite, and the doctor usually recommends the use of pest control agents, such as mebendazole, albendazole and praziquantel, as they work to remove the parasite.
In some cases, surgical removal of the cyst may also be indicated, especially when it is very large and present in an easily accessible location. In this way, it is possible to avoid the breakage of the cyst and the appearance of complications.
Prevention of Echinococcus granulosus infection can be done by simple measures, such as:
In addition, it is important to avoid eating raw vegetables from unknown origin, and when eating them, to ensure that they have been properly cleaned, as well as it is important to wash your hands each time you come into contact with animals and before preparing food.