As you know, parasites are considered to be the most resistant organisms in the external environment. To date, about 250 species are recognized as helminths capable of infecting humans. All of these pose a threat to the health, and in more serious cases, the lives of those infected. Knowledge of the types of helminths in humans and their characteristics greatly facilitates treatment and helps to draw up an effective preventive plan.
What kind of worms do humans have?
It takes a long time to become fully acquainted with the types of worms. The fact is that, to date, scientists have not been able to provide the most detailed information on the classification of parasites. This is largely due to the fact that a specific area is characterized by the presence of specific helminthic invasions. From this point of view, it is almost impossible to obtain data on all types of human helminths that exist on Earth.
Thus, worms, which are usually diagnosed in the southern zone, are practically not found in the population of the northern geographical areas. For temperate climates and mid-latitudes, about 20 varieties of worms are recognized as the most common. They can be conditionally divided into 3 main categories:
- Round parasitic worms (nematodes).
- Helminth tapes.
- Flatworms (trematodes).
1. Round and flat plates
Each of the above groups includes a huge variety of parasitic organisms that require a brief description. In children and adults, it is most often necessary to treat such representatives of worms belonging to the category of trimmings:
- Chinese upset?
- fluke cat?
- hepatic impairment.
Among nematodes, there are 7 of the most famous and common species of parasites that inhabit the body of any age. Roundworms that are transmitted in any way possible are:
- pinworms;
- round worm?
- intestinal acne?
- whipworm;
- Trichinella;
- trichostrons?
- hookworm.
2. Cestode invasions
Ribbons (or codes) are parasitic worms that pose the greatest threat to the body. The diagnosis of such helminth infestations occurs much less frequently than roundworm infections in children and adults, but infection with the following types of worms is fraught with the most serious consequences:
- bullish tapeworm;
- dwarf movie?
- pork ribbon?
- wide ribbon?
- εχινόκοκκος;
- rat movie tape.
One of the rarest types of helminth infestations is acanthocephalus. These include the giant ridge and the bead ridge. Such worms can enter the body in the rarest cases, for example, when they eat an insect or its larva infected with parasites.
Why are worms dangerous to humans?
In order to adequately assess the degree of threat to the patient's health in case of helminth arrangement, it is first necessary to determine what kind of worms they belong to. The treatment and its duration are determined depending on the type of worms. The main damage from the presence of parasites in the body is felt by the intestines - the predominant part of all helminths is located in this organ. All the nutrients that need to be absorbed and benefit a person are selected by worms.
Meanwhile, other types of worms do not just settle in the intestines and "steal" all the necessary valuable micronutrients from humans. They actively multiply and affect other vital human organs and systems. In addition to the heart muscle, liver and lungs, worms can cause enormous damage to the brain and blood vessels. Worms can even infect the eyes.
Main ways of worm infection
You can protect yourself and your loved ones from the onset of the disease if you know how helminths of a particular species enter the body. This is the only way to take all the necessary measures in time and to minimize the risk of infection. It is known for the main transmission routes that:
- Infection occurs through soil and water. When you walk on the ground barefoot, the risk of spawning increases several times. An unverified source of consumption and, in common cases, even water from a common water supply may contain worm larvae.
- Worm eggs enter the body along with animal products. The result of helminthic invasions is insufficient or poor quality processing of meat, fish, seafood, eggs. People who prefer exotic Asian cuisine are at risk of being infected by worms. He, sushi, sashimi is based on raw fish and meat.
- Some types of parasites can settle in the gut after being put together with unwashed vegetables and fruits. Denial of animal products does not solve the problem of the possibility of helminthiasis. Worm eggs, as mentioned, are on the ground. It is recommended to pour over fruit with boiling water before use.
- Worms are transmitted to humans and animals. Pets do not often become a source of infection for their owners. However, worms can be found both in the animal and in its fur. From dogs and cats, the eggs of parasites fall to the ground, spreading further with melted water.
Transmission of parasites from sick individuals
Worms can also be moved from one infected person to another. There are several ways to transmit helminth infestations:
- through washed hands (for example, when shaking hands, hugging).
- when using common utensils.
- when wearing someone else's underwear.
- group application of personal hygiene products by many people.
Worm eggs usually pass from person to person, often falling under the nail plates, staying there for a long time. The prevalence of this type of worm in children is explained by the neglect of the basic rules of cleanliness. A child can simply pull his hands into his mouth or bite his fingernails, so the pins have no difficulty penetrating a new human body. The task of parents at this stage is to recognize the signs of helminthiasis in time and to prevent the development of helminth infestations in their baby, immediately starting the treatment of the disease.
Symptoms of the acute stage of helminthiasis
It is not easy to detect the first signs of a parasitic infection in an adult or child. The diagnosis of the presence of worms is also complicated by the fact that the incubation period in some species can last up to one and a half years.
As a rule, the first symptoms of a worm infestation appear after several periods. In addition, the course of helminthiasis can be conditionally divided into 2 stages:
- acute stage (lasts on average no more than two months after the incubation period).
- years (characterized by the development of sexually mature parasites and can last for decades).
In the acute phase of the invasion, the main, clearly expressed symptom may be called an allergic reaction. As a result of the production of antibodies during the migration of parasitic larvae, pathological manifestations on the skin must be warned. An indicator of infection with any type of worm in humans is the following symptoms:
- skin hyperemia?
- burning sensation and itching.
- small rashes on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.
- slight enlargement of the lymph nodes?
- local swelling?
- chest pain (up to choking attacks)
- vomiting and persistent nausea.
- diarrhea or constipation.
In addition, dangerous pathologies such as pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis can become complications of the appearance of other creatures in the body.
A reliable confirmation of the presence of helminths in the internal organs is the eosinophil index in the clinical blood test. The increased value of these particles is caused by dysproteinemia - a violation of the normal arithmetic ratio between protein fractions.
Types of symptoms in the chronic form of the disease
Signs of chronic helminthiasis in humans are predetermined by the detection of parasite colonization. Simply put: the manifestations of the disease will depend on the organ that will become the main habitat for a particular type of worm.
In particular, the most common parasitism in worm intestines can even proceed without the slightest symptoms. If larger species are affected by worms, the signs of the disease will be felt as soon as the worms reach adolescence. Dyspeptic disorders in an adult and a child, pain syndrome and neurotic manifestations are their characteristics. Ascariasis is often characterized by the development of intestinal obstruction and pancreatitis and increases the risk of oncological diseases.
Drugs against pests
It is necessary to treat helminthiasis at the earliest possible stage. An effective treatment would be if, before you start, you know exactly what kind of parasite has been installed in the body. There are many anthelmintic drugs today.
These are different types of drugs that can target a specific type of worm. The most powerful worm drugs are broad-spectrum drugs and are excellent for treating combined helminthiasis. Both are considered toxic, have many side effects and contraindications. The use of such drugs should be done with extreme caution only after medical recommendation.
Most types of worms in an adult need to be treated for a long time and persistently. Often, parasitologists prescribe the simultaneous administration of several anthelmintic drugs.
The regimen and dosage of a particular drug should be prepared exclusively by a specialist. This will help prevent allergies and serious side effects. For some types of helminth infection, treatment must be repeated. This is often due to the fact that during the first treatment most of the adult worms were killed, but some forms of larvae and worm eggs remain in the patient's body. If left untreated, the worms will return.
Basic prevention measures
Medication is undoubtedly an important part of the process of getting rid of and, in some cases, preventing parasites. However, to deal with penetrating worms, you must follow the simplest rules to prevent worms. The treatment will not work if you ignore the following rules:
- Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
- If it is not possible to clean the skin of your hands with soap, it is recommended to use wet antibacterial wipes.
- Any food should be rinsed thoroughly before cooking.
- It is important to expose meat and fish to prolonged exposure to heat.
- Use only water from reliable sources for drinking.
- At least once a year, it is extremely important to get tested for worms.