We all love to eat crab curry, right? But did you know that if we eat these aquatic animals like crabs and lobsters raw or undercooked without cooking them properly, a dangerous parasite can enter our bodies? That is the disease that we call Paragonimiasis. Although this is a bit of an unfamiliar name, it is very important to know about it. Let's talk about this simply and kindly today.
What is Paragonimiasis?
Simply put, paragonimiasis is an infection caused by a parasitic worm. This worm is a flatworm. In medical terms, we also call this worm a 'fluke' or 'lung fluke'. 'Lung fluke' is because this worm mainly infects our lungs .
Imagine that we eat undercooked crab or lobster that is carrying the immature stages of these parasitic worms (flukes). What happens is that these worms enter our body, mature and start growing in our intestines . Within a few months, these worms travel through our intestinal tract and spread throughout our abdomen. Then, they pierce the diaphragm , the muscle that separates our chest and stomach, and enter our lungs.
Once inside the lungs, these worms begin to lay eggs . The most dangerous thing is that this species of worm can live inside our lungs for years. This can cause a long-term, chronic disease.
Although this disease is rare in countries like the United States, it is common in Asian countries, West Africa, and South and Central America. Therefore, it is very important for us to be concerned about this.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Most of the time, this parasite does not show any symptoms in the early stages of its infection. Some people may never develop symptoms. However, if symptoms do appear, they vary over time depending on where the worms are in the body and their activity. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.
| Stage of the disease / location of the worms | Visible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Early stage (within the first month) (When worms spread in the abdominal cavity) |
|
| After entering the lungs (Chest symptoms) | |
| When it becomes chronic (chronic condition) (If left untreated) | |
| Rare but very dangerous case (When worms enter the brain) |
Importantly, some people may not experience any symptoms even when they are chronic, so it is best to seek medical advice if in doubt.
How is this disease diagnosed?
The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of pneumonia or a stomach ache, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Your doctor may need to run several tests to make a diagnosis.
What the doctor will ask you
First, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. That is, how they started and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you if you have recently eaten anything, such as undercooked crab or lobster.
What tests are performed?
- Blood tests: Your blood will be checked for an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophils). These are increased in parasitic infections. They can also check for antibodies that the body makes against the worm.
- Sputum microscopy: Your sputum is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of these worm eggs.
- Chest X-ray: This test looks for lumps (nodules), cysts, or fluid around the lungs (pleural effusions).
- CT scan: A CT scan can provide clearer, more detailed images than an X-ray. A CT scan of the head or abdomen may also be done if there is a suspicion that the worms have spread to the brain or liver, as well as the lungs.
- MRI scan (MRI): This is used to obtain very clear images if a brain infection is suspected.
- Bronchoscopy: A thin tube with a camera attached is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs, where a fluid sample is taken and examined. This can directly detect worms or worm eggs.
- Stool studies: Like mucus, a stool sample is examined under a microscope to see if there are worm eggs.
Remember, the worm does not lay eggs for about two months after entering the body, so these tests may not detect the disease in the early stages.
What are the treatments for this?
The good news is that this disease is completely curable. It can usually be treated with oral anti-parasite medications prescribed by a doctor.
- The drugs Praziquantel and Triclabendazole have been approved for this purpose.
- Your doctor will tell you exactly how and for how long to take this medicine. Never use this medicine at your own discretion.
Although rare, if the worms have spread to the brain and infected it, other treatments may be needed. For example, medication to control seizures or surgery to reduce brain swelling. So it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms.
Take-Home Message
- Paragonimiasis is a parasitic worm disease caused by eating undercooked freshwater crabs or lobsters.
- A persistent cough and bloody phlegm are the main symptoms, but other symptoms such as stomach ache and fever may also occur.
- This disease can be dangerous. In rare cases, the worms can travel to the brain and cause serious complications.
- This disease can be completely cured with medication prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, if you have symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- Prevention is best. Always cook freshwater animals like crabs and lobsters thoroughly before eating them.
Paragonimiasis, Parasitic diseases, Crabs, Lobsters, Lung diseases, Blood phlegm, Cough, Respiratory diseases
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