Beware of the Dangers of Liver Worm Infection
Although small, the existence of liver worms should not be underestimated. This parasite can infect the liver, gallbladder, bile duct, and cause various complications. Therefore, consider the following explanation in order to be aware of the dangers of liver worm infection.
Liver worm infections usually occur after consuming food contaminated with liver worm larvae. After the food is digested, the larvae move from the intestine to the bile duct in the liver to multiply.
Identify Types of Liver Worms
There are 2 types of liver worms that can enter the body and cause disease in humans, namely opisthorchiidae and fasciolidae.
Opisthorchiidae
Opisthorchiidae types of worms that most often cause liver worm infections are 2 species, namely Clonorchis Sinensis commonly found in China and Opisthorchis viverrini which are commonly found in Southeast Asia.
Liver worm infection of the two species above can occur after consuming fish, crabs, shrimp, which is not cooked properly and is contaminated by worm larvae. If left untreated, this infection can last for 25-30 years.
Fasciolidae
The fasciolidae worm is the most common type of liver worm that infects the body. This type of worm is found almost on all continents, except Antarctica. Fasciolidae liver worm infections usually occur after consuming watercress or other aquatic plants contaminated with liver worm larvae from sheep or cow dung.
Various Symptoms of Liver Worm Infection
The following are various symptoms of liver worm infection that need to be recognized:
If not treated for a long time, liver worm infections can cause complications, such as the formation of gallstones, pancreatitis, bile duct infections, even bile duct cancer ( cholangiocarcinoma ).
Management of Liver Worm Infection
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a question and answer about complaints experienced, medical history, and cleanliness of the patient, and conduct a physical examination. In addition, the doctor also requires several supporting examinations, such as:
Drugs
Prescribing medicines that are tailored to the type of liver worm infection. The purpose of this treatment is focused on removing liver worms from the body. Some medications for liver worm infections that doctors usually prescribe are:
Operation
Surgical procedures are sometimes needed when liver worms block the bile duct or the patient experiences various long-term complications, such as bile duct infections or bile duct cancer.
Liver worm infection starts from a less hygienic lifestyle. Although the cause is simple, diseases caused by liver worms can be very complicated and dangerous. Therefore, it would be nice if the liver worm infection is prevented from the start.
As a precautionary measure against liver worm infection, the important thing you need to remember is to make sure all food that is consumed is cooked thoroughly, especially for freshwater fish, crabs, shrimp, and watercress. In addition, avoid drinking river water or water with poor sanitary conditions.
If you experience some symptoms of liver worm infection, especially after previously consuming fish or watercress cooked water that is not cooked, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
Liver worm infections usually occur after consuming food contaminated with liver worm larvae. After the food is digested, the larvae move from the intestine to the bile duct in the liver to multiply.
Identify Types of Liver Worms
There are 2 types of liver worms that can enter the body and cause disease in humans, namely opisthorchiidae and fasciolidae.
Opisthorchiidae
Opisthorchiidae types of worms that most often cause liver worm infections are 2 species, namely Clonorchis Sinensis commonly found in China and Opisthorchis viverrini which are commonly found in Southeast Asia.
Liver worm infection of the two species above can occur after consuming fish, crabs, shrimp, which is not cooked properly and is contaminated by worm larvae. If left untreated, this infection can last for 25-30 years.
Fasciolidae
The fasciolidae worm is the most common type of liver worm that infects the body. This type of worm is found almost on all continents, except Antarctica. Fasciolidae liver worm infections usually occur after consuming watercress or other aquatic plants contaminated with liver worm larvae from sheep or cow dung.
Various Symptoms of Liver Worm Infection
The following are various symptoms of liver worm infection that need to be recognized:
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
Over time, the worm larvae in the liver bile ducts will become adult worms and bile ducts. This causes discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow, itching, diarrhea, and weight loss.
If not treated for a long time, liver worm infections can cause complications, such as the formation of gallstones, pancreatitis, bile duct infections, even bile duct cancer ( cholangiocarcinoma ).
Management of Liver Worm Infection
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a question and answer about complaints experienced, medical history, and cleanliness of the patient, and conduct a physical examination. In addition, the doctor also requires several supporting examinations, such as:
- Stool sample examination, to see the presence of liver worm eggs in the feces
- Complete blood test, to check antibodies against liver worms
- Radiological examination, to check for damage to the liver and bile ducts related to liver worms
- After the diagnosis is determined, then the doctor can do some treatment as follows:
Drugs
Prescribing medicines that are tailored to the type of liver worm infection. The purpose of this treatment is focused on removing liver worms from the body. Some medications for liver worm infections that doctors usually prescribe are:
- Triclabendazole , for fascioliasis infection.
- Praziquantel or albendazole , for clonorchiasis infections.
- Corticosteroids for patients with severe symptoms.
Operation
Surgical procedures are sometimes needed when liver worms block the bile duct or the patient experiences various long-term complications, such as bile duct infections or bile duct cancer.
Liver worm infection starts from a less hygienic lifestyle. Although the cause is simple, diseases caused by liver worms can be very complicated and dangerous. Therefore, it would be nice if the liver worm infection is prevented from the start.
As a precautionary measure against liver worm infection, the important thing you need to remember is to make sure all food that is consumed is cooked thoroughly, especially for freshwater fish, crabs, shrimp, and watercress. In addition, avoid drinking river water or water with poor sanitary conditions.
If you experience some symptoms of liver worm infection, especially after previously consuming fish or watercress cooked water that is not cooked, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
