We all know that unwashed hands, raw fish or poorly fried meat are dangerous for parasites, but we usually neglect safety rules, because what could be tastier than smoked river fish?How to avoid “acquaintance” with parasites that infect the liver?
What are opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis?
Opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis are terms used in medicine to describe the conditions of people infected with a certain type of parasite.
Infections can be caused by three types of parasites:
- Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese fluke).This parasite causes clonorchiasis.It is distributed in eastern regions of China, South Korea, Taiwan and some regions of Vietnam.
- Opisthorchis viverrini (opisthorchis viverini, squirrel fluke).This parasite causes opisthorchiasis.It is common in Thailand and Laos.
- Opisthorchis felineus (opisthorchis felineus, cat fluke).This parasite causes opisthorchiasis.It is distributed in countries of eastern and western Europe.
According to some estimates, more than 35 million people are infected with opisthorchiasis.In places where people live near rivers and often eat raw or undercooked fish, up to 75% of the total population is infected with opisthorchiasis.
Methods of infection
You can become infected with these parasites by eating raw, half-raw, or undercooked fish that is infected with microscopic larvae (cysts) of these parasites.
Most often, people become infected from fish from the carp family: carp, crucian carp, roach, bream, tench, ide, sabrefish, dace, roach, gudgeon, minnow, asp, chebak, etc.
Many people think that it is safe to eat raw sea fish, however, this is not the case.Yes, there will be no opisthorchiasis in it, but there may be other parasites.Think several times before trying suspiciously cooked or half-raw fish, no matter how tasty it may seem.
How can you identify infected fish?
It is almost impossible to distinguish infected fish from uninfected ones, because cysts of these parasites cannot be seen with the naked eye.So you shouldn’t rely on being able to visually distinguish healthy fish.
Is opisthorchiasis or clonorchiasis transmitted from person to person?
Unlike some other types of worms (for example, pinworms), opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis are not transmitted from person to person.
Can you get opisthorchiasis or clonorchiasis from pets?
Pets can become infected with these parasites, but they will not be transmitted to humans, since the larvae must go through several stages of development in the body of aquatic fish and snails.
Symptoms
These diseases are often asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, which people rarely pay attention to.Because of this, they receive medical care quite late, after complications have arisen.
However, there are signs that are worth paying attention to.2-4 weeks after infection with parasites, a person may develop a fever, abdominal pain, weakness, joint pain, diarrhea, nausea, swelling on the face, enlarged lymph nodes, and an itchy rash on the skin.In medicine, similar cases of the disease are called the acute period of opisthorchiasis.Similar symptoms can also be observed when infected with Giardia and schistosomiasis.
The problem is that these signs are often attributed to food poisoning or other illnesses.
After the symptoms of the acute period of opisthorchiasis pass, an infected person may periodically feel lethargy, abdominal discomfort (heaviness in the right hypochondrium), nausea, and loss of appetite.In medicine, this is called the chronic phase of opisthorchiasis.These symptoms may persist for years.Many people get used to them and “live with them all their lives,” explaining them as “chronic pancreatitis or chronic cholecystitis.”
Complications
These diseases are dangerous due to their complications, such as:
- non-functioning gallbladder,
- cholecystitis,
- cholangitis,
- liver abscess,
- gallbladder stones.
Remember that at the slightest suspicion or sign of parasite infection, you should definitely consult a doctor to get tested and undergo treatment.This will help avoid complications and improve your well-being.
Diagnostics
In order to identify opisthorchiasis, your doctor may prescribe a stool test for parasite eggs and a blood test for antibodies to these parasites.
Treatment
Currently, drug therapy is used, which is prescribed by a general practitioner, gastroenterologist, or infectious disease specialist.
Unfortunately, after treatment, you can become infected with parasites again, because our body does not develop immunity against them, so always remember about preventive measures.
Prevention
- Do not eat raw or undercooked fish.Homemade smoked, lightly smoked, lightly salted and marinated fish are especially dangerous.
- Cook or freeze fish thoroughly before eating.But you need to freeze carefully: -35 C or below for 15 hours;-40 C or below for 2 hours.
How to cook fish correctly?
In order to destroy cysts of opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis and other parasites, freshwater or sea fish must be heated (inside the pieces) to a temperature of at least 63 C.