Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors still consider teeth grinding at night and indigestion as the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic infections are not dangerous and advise not to take any measures if parasitosis is detected.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine recognizes more than 300 different types of parasites that can live in the human body.A roundworm is a worm from the helminth genus that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may cause no apparent harm 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 roundworm, hookworm and whipworm.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine, blocking it.Worms are small round worms no more than 1 cm long.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach a length of 4-5 cm.Worm eggs look different, but almost all are round in shape.
- Tape.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long body (up to several meters) with a small head.Long, flatworms in humans can settle in the intestines, liver and other organs.This subgroup includes fluke worms with a flat, long body and head.They also have suction or suction channels.
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 exist completely 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 located 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 mucosa, because in order to get food, the parasites suck or gnaw through the inner lining of the intestines.
For food, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the gut, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.Waste products of worms enter the intestinal lumen, and then into the human blood, which causes general intoxication.
Distribution
Depending on the habitat of the parasites in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place on land.Usually, parasite eggs fall to the soil with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and nematodes.
- Biohelminths.For such parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in the body of a mammal.The eggs begin to develop when they enter the body of an intermediate host - an animal, bird or fish.To mature and reproduce, worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.Such worms include tapeworms, nematodes and echinococci.
- Contact worms.The smallest group.Infection with these helminths occurs through direct contact with the owner or his personal belongings and clothing.Transmissible parasites include hookworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often debate whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in a healthy human body.If they remain, 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, which the body successfully copes with.
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 a favorable environment, then worms in the intestine 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 a cycle of reproduction if a person is an intermediate host, as with bovine tapeworm infection or cat bite.But more often, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infestation 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 infections are especially dangerous in children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child and in pregnant women cause abortion or delay in fetal development.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic infection, 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;
- abdominal pain, right hypochondrium;
- stool instability;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, deterioration of performance, headache.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium;
- a rash that periodically appears all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (breast worm) the following are observed:
- abdominal pain;
- itching in the anal area;
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworms in humans) is manifested:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, 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 certain organ: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for helminthic infections?
If you suspect stomach worms, you can contact a pediatrician or therapist, who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Also, stomach worms require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnosing
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Stool analysis and scratching for worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestine, 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 infection.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies against parasites.In the acute form of the infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has already had parasitosis, 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 helminthic infestation using a thermal imager or electromagnetic vibrations generated by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, CT of internal organs and MRI of blood vessels are also prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infections
The diagnosis of parasitosis 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, the treatment of helminthic infections in adults and children does not present any difficulties.There are a large number of drugs against parasites - broad-spectrum or highly specialized.
Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, much less 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 drug and the correct regimen for its use.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following are suggested:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and worms.
- Broad-spectrum drugs.
All types of worm medications only help to remove adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you must undergo several courses of therapy.
Traditional methods
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- Wormwood powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green walnut skins.It is injected in alcohol for 10-14 days and 1 spoonful is taken.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Chopped cloves are taken at the tip of a knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
diets
During the treatment of helminthic infections, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or to temporarily refuse to eat to increase the effect of therapy.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you should drink as much liquid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- Food products.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 large number of parasites live in river fish and seafood, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.You can catch helminths anywhere: in places of public catering, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street and domestic animals.The only way of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of domestic animals.
- Contact and family.This is how helminthic infections spread in groups of children.It is also possible to infect members of the same household 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 helminthiasis is compliance with personal hygiene rules and careful food processing.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with your doctor every year.If worms are not treated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of some types of parasites, there is a risk to life.