#Fluke worm how to#

People should be told to have regular periodic stool tests to check for the presence of eggs in the stool. If tests are positive then antihelminthic (anti-worm) drugs should be prescribed. An ultrasound scan or CAT scan images may show dilatation of the bile ducts. The high risk groups for liver fluke infection are those who have a history of eating raw, fresh water fish in endemic areas. In endemic areas, it is recommended to do screening tests such as a stool ova test and a liver ultrasound scan. Testing patients for liver fluke Infection Jaundice is due to the mechanical obstruction in the bile ducts caused by a multitude of flukes, or it is due to bile duct obstruction caused by stones, or bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) as a late complication of chronic infection. Severe infection can cause an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) and complaints such as abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and indigestion. Long standing infection may cause stone formation in the bile ducts and the gallbladder, recurrent bacterial secondary infections in the bile ducts and cancer of the bile ducts. Most people infected with this parasite have no symptoms however, patients with severe infection suffer from fatigue and abdominal discomfort. The cycle re-circulates via eating of raw fresh-water fish. One adult fluke lays 2000-4000 eggs each day and the eggs are excreted through the bile ducts and feces of the infected person.

The flukes cause chronic inflammation of the bile ducts causing scarring (fibrosis) of the bile ducts and bile duct dilatation.

The flukes get into the small bile ducts inside the liver and the gallbladder where they live for 20-30 years. In North American countries and Australia where many Asian immigrants are now living, people may carry liver fluke caught in their country of origin and because it is not previously commonly seen, the diagnosis is often missed until severe liver damage has resulted. Liver fluke is not common in the Western world. Because of increasing immigration and travel, more doctors should know about the high prevalence of liver fluke infection among healthy looking people and the long term severe complications of the infection. Consumer education is crucial to make people aware of the need to stop eating raw fish. The control of liver fluke and any food borne infections requires collaboration between the sectors of public health, the food industry and the media. This food-borne malady is an important public health issue and liver fluke infection does not receive the awareness it deserves. People living along rivers are prone to infection by flukes because they have a habit of eating raw or undercooked fresh-water fish. In China 15 million people carry liver fluke. It is most common in South-East Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, Northern Vietnam, Laos and Northeast Thailand, Eastern Europe Eastern Russia, Manchuria, Northern Siberia and China. The most common types of liver flukes are Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Opisthorchis felineus.ДЄpproximately 35 million people are infected with liver flukes throughout the world and the very high incidence of cancer of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma) in some countries is associated with a high prevalence of liver fluke infection. Infection with this parasite occurs through eating fluke-infested, fresh-water raw or undercooked fish. Liver fluke disease is a chronic parasitic disease of the bile ducts. If you have any questions you may contact my naturopath, Christine,В on 6 or email us at Liver fluke However, my recommendations do not replace the care of your own doctor and you should remain under the care of your own doctor whilst using nutritional therapies.

#Fluke worm how to#

I have presented my ideas on how to help those with liver diseases using nutritional medicine, which I have been using for many years with good success rates. Make sure you have your liver function checked annually with a blood test. There needs to be more awareness of liver disease so that patients can be treated early so that we can prevent cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Over nearly 40 years of practicing medicine, I have seen many patients develop severe liver disease, which sadly could have been prevented by early detection and early referral to a hepatologist. Liver disease is serious and requires treatment and regular monitoring by a liver specialist.ДЄ liver specialist is known as a hepatologist and you need to be referred by your family doctor or general practitioner.