Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to cite teeth grinding at night and indigestion as the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic infestations are not dangerous and advise not to take measures if parasitism is detected.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine knows more than 300 different types of parasites that can live in the human body.A roundworm is a worm from the genus Helminth that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may cause no visible damage to the host's body.But in some cases it leads to the development of serious pathologies.
What does a worm look like?It depends on the type of helminth, of which there are two in humans:
- round.It is a roundworm, a worm and a worm.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine, suffocating it.Pinworms are small round worms, the length of which does not exceed 1 cm.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach a length of 4-5 cm.Worm eggs look different, but almost all of them are round in shape.
- tape.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long (up to several meters) body with a small head.In humans, long and flatworms can settle in the intestines, liver and other organs.Flat worms with a long body and head belong to this subspecies.They also have suction grooves or beds.
In addition to these species, the organism is parasitized by giardia and protozoa, which affect the liver and small intestine.All types of parasites are characterized by the inability to fully exist outside the host's body, high reproductive function and the ability to spread throughout the body.
where do they live
To understand why worms are harmful, you need to know their type and location in the body.When the worms are initially localized in the intestines, they easily move through the bloodstream and reach the lungs, liver, brain, and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucous membrane as the parasites suck or chew the lining of the intestines to feed.
For nutrition, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites in the gut, the more nutrients they take from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.The remnants of worms get into the lumen of the intestine, and then into the blood of a person, which causes general intoxication.
classification
Depending on the habitat of parasites in nature, the following types of worms are distinguished in humans:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Parasite eggs are usually introduced into the soil in the feces, which along with soil, vegetables, and fruits enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, and nekators.
- Biohelminths.In order for such parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in the body of a mammal.Eggs begin to develop when they enter the body of an intermediate host - an animal, bird or fish.In order to mature and reproduce, the worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or human.Such helminths include tapeworms, nematodes and echinococcus.
- contact with helminths.the smallest group.Infection with these helminths occurs through direct contact with the owner or his personal items and clothes.Transmissible parasites include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often argue about whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in the body of a healthy person.If they stay, their numbers will be very limited and they won't do much damage.
This theory is also confirmed by its proponents by the fact that every day a person encounters a large number of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that the body successfully copes with.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome helminths that have invaded the gastrointestinal tract or the skin.But if the infection was massive and the parasites found themselves in a favorable environment, then worms in the intestines or liver can cause the development of many diseases.
The degree of damage to the body depends on how long the worms live in a person.The length of stay of parasites depends on their type.Some of them leave the body after one cycle of reproduction if a person is an intermediate host, such as a bovine tapeworm or cat worm infection.But most often, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakened immune system, indigestion and a general weakening of the body, which can no longer cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infestation is especially dangerous for children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child, and in pregnant women cause abortion or delay of the fetus.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic infestation, there are manifestations that are common to all types of infection and specific, characteristic of each species.
Common symptoms of worms in adults:
- increase in body temperature to subfebrile for no apparent reason;
- pain in the abdomen, right hypochondrium;
- stool instability;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- Weakness, impaired performance, headache.
Ascariasis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- nausea, pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium;
- A rash that periodically appears all over the body;
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
During enterobiosis, the following is observed:
- abdominal pain
- itching in the anal area;
- A change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long ribbon in humans) is manifested by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdomen;
- indigestion;
- Weakness, headache, weakness.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, the symptoms of infection are not observed for a long time.Then there are signs of specific organ dysfunction: cough, yellow skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I consult for a helminth infection?
If you suspect stomach worms, you can contact a pediatrician or a therapist who will make a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Also, worms in the stomach require consultation of an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
diagnosis
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Fecal analysis and scraping for worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestines, so eggs or body parts of parasites can be found in feces or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, since helminths in feces can be detected only with massive infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies against parasites.During the acute form of the infection, IgM is determined, and if the person already had parasitosis, or the infection became chronic, then IgG.
- blood testDetects antibodies against certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determination of helminthic infestation using thermal imaging or electromagnetic vibrations created by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, computed tomography of the abdominal cavity, heart, internal organs and MRI of blood vessels are additionally prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
The diagnosis of parasitosis often causes a negative reaction in patients, which is why they even refuse treatment.So what should you do if you or your family members have worms?
Today, the treatment of helminth infections in adults and children does not present any difficulties.There are a large number of antiparasitic drugs - broad-spectrum or highly specialized.
In no case should you self-medicate, especially do not try to remove worms from an adult or a child on your own.Each drug has its own level of toxicity and can cause poisoning of the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate drug and mode of its use.
drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following is recommended:
- Universal drugs for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and worms.
- A wide range of drugs.
All types of worm medicines only help to get rid of adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of therapy.
traditional methods
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- worm powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green hazelnut skin.Infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 tsp.once a day.
- clove seedsChopped cloves are taken on the tip of a knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
diet
When treating helminthic infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or temporarily refuse to eat to enhance the effect of therapy.And to speed up the elimination of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.
Ways of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- food products.The most common way of infection.Worm eggs can be carried in water or soil;They can easily become infected by eating unwashed fruits, vegetables and berries.A large number of parasites live in river fish and seafood, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public catering facilities, in transport, in shops, on the street, in contact with pets.Personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets remains the only way of prevention.
- Contact and household.This is how helminthic infestations spread in groups of children.It is also possible to infect members of the same family by sharing towels, sheets or clothes.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?It is rare, but with close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiasis is following the rules of personal hygiene and careful food processing.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with a doctor every year.If worms are not treated, human health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of some types of parasites, there is a risk to life.