Dirofilariasis in humans: symptoms and treatment

First of all, it should be noted that in Russia this disease is infrequent. It is not surprising, therefore, that most doctors diagnose dirofilariasis in humans with difficulty. What is it? The official name for dirofilariasis is "helminthic invasion caused by roundworms." As the main source of the disease, experts call street dogs and cats, as well as mosquitoes - insects are able to carry the larvae and "implant" them under the skin. Of course, dirofilariasis, like other diseases of this kind, is most common in hot countries: in Africa, India, and Vietnam. However, recently more and more cases of infection have been recorded in Russia.

Infection

As already mentioned above, the human dirofilariasis can develop after the bite of the mosquito-carrying larvae of the dirofilaria. Before the first symptoms appear, it may take several months - this is how much the incubation period lasts on average. Naturally, not all people will guess to connect the mysterious manifestations with a mosquito bite of a month ago.

Symptomatics

So how do you determine if you have dirofilariasis? Symptoms of it begin with the fact that a small seal appears in the bite area. It grows and develops a larva that is securely hidden under the skin. The main feature of this parasite is its ability to migrate. So, for 24 hours the larva can overcome the distance up to 30 centimeters. Due to these "journeys" the location of the seal is constantly changing: for example, yesterday it was on the shoulder, and today it has moved closer to the elbow. In this case, a person's dirofilariasis, as a rule, is not accompanied by painful sensations. Nevertheless, many patients complain that something is crawling under their skin. In medicine, there are cases when therapists who are not familiar with this disease sent unfortunates to a consultation with a psychiatrist. In addition, a parasite nesting under the skin is often mistaken for a neoplasm, lipoma or cyst. Dirofilaria is often found in the course of surgical intervention.

Areas of defeat

Dirofilariasis in humans is often struck by the eyes: the larva reaches the eyelid and settles there. With regard to diagnosis, it is often difficult, because the amount of eosinophils in the blood does not exceed the norm. Consequently, the doctor has no reason to assume that the body is parasites.

Treatment

The only way to get rid of the larva is to remove it surgically. It should be emphasized that the use of anthelminthic drugs will not give any result.

Dirofilariasis: prevention

Specific prevention as such does not exist. It is impossible to be completely sure that a mosquito bitten by you is not a carrier of larvae. All you can do is use special sprays from insects and try to bare out the skin, being in the nature. In order to calm the itching, it is also possible to use agents that remove allergic reactions. If they are not, then the usual soda solution (they wipe the affected area). Do not want to allow mosquitoes in enclosed spaces? Install mosquito nets and purchase several fumigators.