Unfortunately, no one is safe from worm infection - both adults and children are susceptible. A person lives and does not suspect that there are about 250 species of parasites in his body - these can be both microscopic worms and up to a meter long. In order not to become a carrier of parasites, let's figure out what type of helminths are, what are the first signs and symptoms of worm infection, how to treat and get rid of them, as well as talk about the consequences and necessities. Prevention.
What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites are there?
Helminthiasis is a collective name for a disease caused by different types of parasitic worms. It so happened that in everyday life we are accustomed to calling all parasites worms, so that we do not think about how many species there are. There are 3 main groups of parasites:
- Nematodes;
- Ribbon worms;
- Parasitic flukes (trematodes).
Nematodes are a round worm species. These include worms, roundworms and Trichinella. Each of these parasites is dangerous because it causes various lung diseases in adults and children. But the pin parasite is particularly dangerous from this group - it does not have a permanent habitat, but it roams the human body and affects various organs. Pins have the appearance of white worms, which are most often infected through contact with cats and dogs. With timely treatment, it can stop in the brain, then the results will be the most unpleasant.
Flatworms include echinococci, a variety of ribbons. Ribbon worms may not show up for long and eventually reach up to 10 meters in length. The first sign of a worm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they damage the intestines, nervous system, eyes and liver. The most common way to get infected with tapeworms is to eat raw fish, especially sushi lovers should be careful. It looks like a sack that encloses with a drawstring.
Fluke parasites or trematodes are carriers of many infections, but the most common is schistosomiasis, a disease native to the tropics that ranks second in the world after malaria (according to the WHO). The most unfortunate thing is that such parasites are resistant to anthelmintic drugs. Therefore, the sooner you pay attention to the symptoms, consult your doctor and get tested, the better. A little later I will tell you what kind of research is needed and from whom to get qualified help.
Too often people do not attach much importance to worms and give the problem its course. But you can not do that - any group of parasites is very dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to the body. In addition to the development of chronic diseases, cases of paralysis and blindness have even been reported in people infected with worms. Therefore, treatment of worms should be carried out in a timely manner and do not delay such a serious problem later.
Causes of helminthiasis
Helminthosis occurs when worm eggs enter the human body. And the most common reasons for this:
- Ignoring the rules of hygiene;
- The presence or contact of pets with farm animals (especially cows and pigs);
- Use of unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- The habit of biting nails, pens, pencils;
- Use of meat and fish products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment;
- Drinking insufficiently purified water;
- Contact with a person infected with worms;
- Insect bites.
Most often, children who go to kindergarten or school, plumbers, sewer and sewer pipe cleaning specialists, and agricultural workers are at risk of being infected with worms.
Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis
The most seemingly "harmless" symptoms of worm damage to the internal organs are a skin rash or urticaria, but there are much more serious signs:
- Digestive disorders;
- Constant lethargy and feeling tired;
- Allergies in various manifestations;
- Swelling;
- Constant headaches;
- Prolonged cough;
- Nausea and vomiting not related to poisoning;
- Elevated temperature;
- Severe pain in the abdomen;
- Anemia;
- Constipation or diarrhea;
- Decreased appetite or, conversely, increased appetite, especially for sweets (parasites absorb glucose from the body);
- Weight loss, even with good appetite;
- Inflammation or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- Brushing teeth during sleep;
- Irritability and aggression for no reason;
- Presence of white worms in feces;
- Persistent itching in the anus.
If at least 5 points from the above appear, do not delay a visit to the doctor and do not conduct self-medication. First of all, sign up for a consultation with a therapist who will tell you the following steps and refer you to a narrow specialist. A gastroenterologist is competent in this matter, in which even some helminth tests are included in the basic examination.
In the absence of timely treatment, complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, blockage of the bile ducts, intestinal obstruction, ulcers are possible.
What tests should be done if helminthiasis is suspected?
First of all, it is necessary to pass a fecal test on helminth eggs and enzymatic immunoassay. Intestinal X-ray with contrast is done as prescribed by a doctor. A separate blood test is required for each parasite. Even a fecal analysis can help you find round worms. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide a lot of services to pass the necessary tests, for which proper training is required.
What is the treatment for worms?
Medical treatment
What if the test results were disappointing? How to get rid of parasites? Modern medicine claims that many diseases occur due to the presence of worms in humans, so the fight against parasites requires special tactics. The connection of oncology with the long-term presence of parasites in the body has also been confirmed. It is often difficult to diagnose worm infection, and doctors who rely on general human weakness confuse helminthiasis with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only after correct diagnosis and passing the necessary tests is it possible to diagnose the disease and start its treatment.
Treatment of parasites involves complex therapy. As a result, not only do worms die, but the consequences of their life activities are also eliminated.
Vitamins, probiotics, and enzymes that regulate digestion are prescribed to treat worms in combination with anthelmintic tablets. Also, the use of antihistamines is not excluded. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are prescribed in the presence or risk of anemia.
Proper nutrition
Effective treatment also lies in diet. Exclude carbohydrates from the diet for the duration of treatment: cereals, pasta, potatoes - complicate the work of the intestines. Especially prohibited during processing fish that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment - white worms may be in herring, sushi, pickled fish. It is recommended to use fermented dairy products, ripe melon juice, garlic. Do not neglect pumpkin seeds - it is also an excellent prevention for both adults and children.
The duration of treatment is determined by the parasitologist and the infectious disease specialist depending on the test results and the patient's condition.
It is important to remember that when at least one family member is infected with worms, the whole family takes prevention. And if you have pets, then you have them too. Carry out thermal treatment of underwear and linen in the bathroom with disinfectants. Utensils and other household items should also be processed. In 2-3 weeks after the implementation of preventive measures, the whole family should be checked for the presence of worm eggs.
Folk remedies to combat helminths
The phytotherapeutic agent is recommended in cases where the patient has an intolerance to drugs. Herbal treatment is a long process that requires regular and daily adherence to the regimen.
There is a universal collection that has a wide range of effects on parasites. His recipe is very simple. To do this, you need to get herbs:
- 2 s. Twig flowers;
- 1 p. m. Ksamli leaves;
- 1 tbsp eucalyptus;
- 1 tbsp;
- 1 tbsp Knut;
- 1 p. m. Kveluri rosemary;
- 2 s. Kcalamus root;
- 2 s. K. dandelion flowers;
- 2 s. Is centric.
Mix all the components in a dry form, pour 2. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. We then filter and take one cup of infusion in the morning and evening for 2 weeks. In severe cases the course will last up to one month.
The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that it destroys most of the parasites, while not harming the body. It can also be taken as a preventative measure. It is not recommended to take this collection during pregnancy as some herbs have an abortion.
Treatment during pregnancy
What to do if helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, in this position, you can not take strong drugs and anthelmintics exactly that. There are two opinions about this:
- Some doctors recommend starting treatment after childbirth when there is no harmful effect of the medication on the fetus.
- Others insist on starting treatment for worms as soon as possible because the parasites are prone to penetrate the placenta and infect the baby’s lungs, leading to respiratory diseases. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy, miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, a pregnant woman should definitely consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations.
What to do if a child finds parasites?
The responsibility for the treatment of children lies primarily with the parents. Not even the first time you test, you can detect worms in a child. There is a concept of an incubation period and sometimes the parasite begins to manifest no earlier than 21-35 days after entering the body. This is why children are often prescribed to defecate 3 times.
Also, parents should realize that anthelmintics are not just vitamin pills but also serious antiparasitic drugs that should be taken only under the supervision and prescription of a doctor.
Worm prevention - effective methods
Adherence to the rules of prevention will save you and your family from the unpleasant disease - helminthiasis, especially since they are very simple:
- Be sure to wash your hands after walking, before eating, and after public gatherings.
- If you have a pet that you love very much, take care of it, especially if there is a small child in the house who is in close contact with the animal. After all, in 60% of cases the animals are worm spreaders that bring parasites from the street to the wool and toes.
- Pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Get rid of the habit of biting nails and other foreign objects.
- Bring the meat and fish you eat to 100% readiness.
- Drink only purified water from trusted sources.
- Avoid contact with infected people until they are fully healed as kisses can also transmit helminths.
- Avoid places with high concentrations of insects, especially mosquitoes - they are dangerous carriers of various parasites.
- Twice a year, clean your pets from regular worms. In the off-season, spring and autumn, immunity is weakened, which is a favorable environment for the development of parasites. Farm animals are given anthelmintic drugs for the first 10 days of life, and then in case of infection.
By using these simple methods of prevention you will protect yourself and your family from helminthiasis. The more time you spend on prevention, the less on treatment. Ი Be healthy!