Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to consider nightly teeth grinding and indigestion as the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminth infestations are not dangerous and advise against taking action if a parasite is found.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine knows more than 300 types of various parasites that can live in the human body.A roundworm is a worm of the helminth genus 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.These are roundworms, worms and whipworms.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, often accumulating in the small intestine, clogging it.Pinworms are small round worms no more than 1 cm long.The flagella parasitize the large intestine and reach a length of 4-5 cm.Worm eggs look different, but almost all are round in shape.
- Film.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long (up to several meters) body with a small head.Long and flatworms in humans can settle in the intestines, liver and other organs.This subspecies includes worms with a flat, long body and head.They also have suction grooves or suction cups.
In addition to these varieties, the body is parasitized by Giardia and protozoa, affecting 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 first found in the intestines, they easily travel through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucous membrane, because in order to get food the parasites suck or gnaw the inner lining of the intestines.
For nutrition they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the intestines, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.Worm waste enters the intestinal lumen and then into the human blood, which causes general poisoning.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of the parasites in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminthes.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Usually, parasite eggs fall to the ground with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and nectaries.
- 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 - animal, bird or fish.To mature and reproduce, worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.Such helminths include tapeworms, nematodes and echinococci.
- Contact helminths.The smallest group.Infection with these helminths occurs through direct contact with the owner or his personal items and clothing.Infectious pests include pinworms and tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often disagree about whether and how dangerous worms are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in a healthy human body.If they stay, their numbers will be very limited, and they won't cause much damage.
This theory is confirmed by its supporters by the fact that every day a person encounters many pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, with which the body successfully copes.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome helminths that have entered the gastrointestinal tract or the skin.But if the infection was massive and the parasites found themselves in an environment favorable to themselves, 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 the parasites depends on their type.Some of these leave the body after a reproductive cycle if a person is an intermediate host, such as with cattle tapeworm or cat tapeworm infection.But most of the time, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakened immune system, impaired digestion and a general weakening of the body, which can no longer cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infestations are particularly dangerous for children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child and in pregnant women cause miscarriage or delayed development 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 a low fever for no apparent reason.
- abdominal pain, right hypochondrium.
- stool instability;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, deterioration of performance, headaches.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium.
- a rash that appears periodically all over the body.
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworm) the following are observed:
- abdominal pain;
- itching in the anus area.
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long strips in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headaches, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, symptoms of infection may not be observed for a long time.Then there are signs of malfunction of a specific organ: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for helminthic infestations?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or a therapist, who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Also, worms in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnostics
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Stool 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 mass infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies to parasites.In the acute form of infection, IgM is determined, and if a person is already parasitized or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detects antibodies to certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determination of helminth infestation using thermal imaging or electromagnetic vibrations generated by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, an additional ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, computed tomography of internal organs and magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels is prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
The diagnosis of parasitism often causes a negative reaction in patients, which is why they even refuse treatment.So what to do if worms are found in your family members or you?
Today, treating helminthic infestations in adults and children presents no difficulties.There are a large number of antiparasitic drugs - broad-spectrum or highly specific.
In no case should you self-medicate, let alone try to remove worms from an adult or child yourself.Each of the drugs has its own level of toxicity and can cause poisoning of the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate drug and regimen for its use.
Pharmaceutical treatment
To get rid of worms, the following are recommended:
- Universal preparations for all types of pests.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad spectrum drugs.
All types of worm medications only help to get rid of adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of treatment.
Traditional methods
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- Wormwood powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Shells of green nuts.It is infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 tsp.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Chopped 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 treatment.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- Food.The most common route of infection.Worm eggs can be carried in water or soil.they can easily become infected by eating unwashed fruits, vegetables and berries.A huge number of parasites live in river fish and seafood, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in places of public catering, means of transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street animals and pets.The only way of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Communication and household.This is how helminthic infestations spread in children's groups.It is also possible to infect members of the same family by sharing towels, bedding or clothing.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?This is rare, but with close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminths is the observance of personal hygiene rules and the careful processing of food.
It is recommended to have tests and examinations with your doctor annually.If worms are not treated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of certain types of parasites, there is a danger to life.