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Hepatic mite is a parasite that causes the disease fasciolosis. The seemingly harmless infection can have serious consequences in the form of jaundice or even cirrhosis of the liver. Check how to protect yourself against infection.
What is the liver fluke?
Hepatic mite is a type of hepatic fluke, otherwise known as biliary fluke. The name comes from the way they invade the body – they spread through the bile ducts. Liver fluke is also called sheep liver fluke.
It is a parasite that reaches a size of up to 5 cm in length and 13 mm in width. It lives in the bile ducts of the host, i.e. herbivores, fish and sometimes humans.
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Hepatic mite – infection
Infection with the parasite can only occur when a person (or an animal) eats an infected plant (or, for example, undercooked infected meat). The problem of infecting humans with a parasite in Poland is rare. It is more common in China, Korea, and Vietnam. Animals are most at risk of infection, but the parasite can also develop in the human body.
Animals usually become infected by eating raw aquatic plants which have undeveloped fluke eggs. A person can become infected by eating raw plants (e.g. biting a blade of grass), eating undercooked meat (e.g. liver), or even through water source close to the exposed area.
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Hepatic moth – symptoms of presence in the body
The disease may be asymptomatic. The symptoms of liver fluke infection are similar in humans and animals. Patients may complain about:
- pain in the area of the right lower abdomen,
- low-grade fever or fever
- indigestion,
- lack of appetite
- weakness of the body,
- alternating constipation and diarrhea.
In a more advanced stage of the parasite’s development, the following may occur:
- enlarged liver and spleen
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- shortness of breath
- weight loss.
The unpleasant symptoms of the presence of fluke in the body appear 4 to 7 days after the infection. They can get up to 4 months. Ignoring symptoms and not treating the disease can lead to illness or stoppage of the functioning of the bile ducts. The most dangerous consequences are jaundice and itching of the skin, as well as inflammation of the gallbladder and pancreas.
Hepatic moth – diagnosis
Already at the first suspicion of infection, it is recommended to visit a doctor. The specialist determines the presence of the parasite after the results of blood and stool tests. However, in the faeces, the liver fluke is visible only when it reaches sexual maturity, i.e. 12-14 weeks after infection.
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Hepatic moth – treatment
In the case of confirmed presence of fluke in the body, pharmacological therapy is used. The patient takes antiparasitic drugs, only in advanced stages of the disease, patients undergo procedures such as endoscopy or surgery.
The probability of curing an early diagnosis is high. Complications may arise only in situations where the bile ducts have already been damaged. Here, individual adjustment of the treatment is required depending on the patient’s condition.