Đừng lãng quên bệnh dễ mắc quanh ta

Nhiễm giun sán là một trong những bệnh nhiễm ký sinh trùng phổ biến nhưng thường bị bỏ qua vì bệnh diễn tiến âm thầm trong thời gian dài, đến khi xuất hiện triệu chứng thì đã ảnh hưởng đến sức khỏe người bệnh. Điều trị nhiễm giun sán không quá phức tạp song việc tuân thủ là rất quan trọng, quyết định đến kết quả điều trị.

Diagram of the transmission routes of parasitic worm infections. Source: Vinmec

Phu Yen Newspaper interviewed Dr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Phu Yen General Hospital, about how to recognize, diagnose, treat, and prevent parasitic worm infections.

* Doctor, how do parasitic worm infections affect human health? Has this disease received adequate attention?

- Parasitic infections, including helminth infections, are among the neglected tropical diseases. Why are they considered neglected tropical diseases? Because patients, their families, and even healthcare workers often forget about them or pay no attention to them.

In fact, anyone can be infected with worms and parasites; however, this disease is more common among the poor, those with limited access to information about healthcare and disease prevention, and those who lack access to diagnostic and treatment facilities. Many people do not have the habit of deworming regularly. Once infected, the disease progresses silently for a long time, and by the time symptoms appear, the disease is already serious, for example, worms may have migrated to the brain, causing seizures; liver fluke infection can lead to liver abscesses and other infections.

Parasitic worm infections devastate health, affect the patient's ability to work, impact their family's finances , and have socio-economic consequences, yet few people pay attention to this. Many cases of parasitic worm infections lead to complications, and the treatment costs are considerable! And if the disease has reached a severe stage, for example, if the worms migrate and settle in the brain, even after treatment and eradication of the worms, the aftereffects may remain; that is, the brain damage caused by the worms will still persist.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Lam

* Doctor, is diagnosing and treating parasitic worm infections complicated?

- Treating intestinal helminth infections is less complicated than treating ectopic helminth infections. Phu Yen General Hospital routinely performs stool examinations to detect intestinal helminth infections and ELISA tests to detect ectopic helminth infections such as canine and feline roundworm larvae, threadworm infections, liver fluke infections, spiny-headed worm infections, schistosomiasis infections, and other types of helminth infections.

Over 10 years ago, the Department of Tropical Diseases – then the Department of Infectious Diseases – at Phu Yen General Hospital established a unit for treating parasitic worm infections and a unit for treating viral hepatitis. Subsequently, this activity was interrupted for a period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bidding difficulties, and a shortage of chemicals. Since 2024, Phu Yen General Hospital has resumed the treatment of parasitic infections in general, and parasitic worm infections in particular.

All tests are performed accurately at the Biochemistry - Microbiology Department of Phu Yen General Hospital; medication is covered by health insurance. Therefore, patients do not have to travel far for treatment of parasitic worm infections, saving time and travel costs.

If you suspect you have a parasitic worm infection, please go to Phu Yen General Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

* What is the most important factor for effective treatment of parasitic worm infections?

- Firstly, we must strengthen communication and health education to help people understand the harmful effects of parasitic worm infections, the symptoms of parasitic worm infections, etc., so that they can get checked, detect the disease, and cooperate with doctors in the treatment process. Cases of prolonged headaches, prolonged abdominal pain, unexplained itching, prolonged anemia, etc., must go to the hospital for examination and testing.

Treating intestinal helminth infections is less complicated than treating ectopic helminth infections. Phu Yen General Hospital routinely performs stool examinations to detect intestinal helminth infections and ELISA tests to detect ectopic helminth infections such as canine and feline roundworm larvae, threadworm infections, liver fluke infections, thorny-headed worm infections, schistosomiasis infections, and other types of helminth infections.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Phu Yen General Hospital

Secondly, doctors must carefully advise patients on adherence to treatment. For example, infections caused by dog ​​and cat roundworms may require up to three treatment cycles. They should also inform patients about the rare side effects of treatment, the preventative medication regimens, and how to treat side effects if they occur, so that patients can feel confident in their treatment.

Patients should not self-treat and must follow their doctor's instructions. Stopping treatment prematurely will render the treatment ineffective.

* How can we prevent worm infections, doctor?

- To prevent parasitic worm infections, it is necessary to educate the public about the transmission routes, risks of infection, and harmful effects of the disease. People must eat cooked food and drink boiled water; avoid raw foods that pose a risk of parasitic worm infection, such as blood pudding and aquatic vegetables. Wash hands frequently and properly, especially before eating and after using the toilet. In particular, wash hands after contact with pets to avoid the risk of roundworm infection from dogs and cats; and educate the public about maintaining environmental hygiene, not allowing livestock, dogs, and cats to roam freely; and not allowing dogs and cats to defecate indiscriminately, as parasitic worm eggs in dog and cat feces can contaminate human food.

People should remember to deworm themselves, their pets, and livestock regularly. If any suspicious symptoms appear, they should go to a medical facility for examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Thank you, doctor!

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/suc-khoe/202506/dung-lang-quen-benh-de-mac-quanh-ta-446146c/