Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to consider nighttime teeth grinding and indigestion to be the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic infestations are not dangerous and advise not to take any action if parasitosis is detected.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine knows more than 300 different types of parasites that can live in the human body.A worm is a worm of the genus helminths that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).This should not cause visible harm to the host's body.But in some cases this leads to the development of serious pathologies.
What does a worm look like?It depends on the type of helminths, there are two in humans:
- Round.These are roundworms, pinworms and whipworms.Large roundworms can reach 10 to 40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine, obstructing it.Pinworms are small roundworms measuring no more than 1 cm in length.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach a length of 4 to 5 cm.Worm eggs look different, but almost all have a round shape.
- Adhesive 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 subspecies includes fluke worms with a flat, long body and head.They also have suction grooves or suction cups.
In addition to these varieties, the organism 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 worms are initially located in the intestines, they travel easily 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 to obtain food, the parasites suck or gnaw the inner lining of the intestines.
To feed themselves, 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.The waste products of the worms enter the intestinal lumen and then into the human blood, causing general intoxication.
Ranking
Depending on the habitat of parasites in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Usually, parasite eggs fall into the soil along with the feces, which, along with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Soil-transmitted helminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and necators.
- Biohelminths.In order for these parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in the mammal's body.Eggs begin to develop when they enter the body of an intermediate host: an animal, bird or fish.To mature and reproduce, the worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.These 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 belongings and clothing.Transmissible parasites include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often wonder if worms are dangerous and how dangerous they 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 faces many pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, with which the body successfully copes.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can defeat helminths entering the gastrointestinal tract or on the skin.But if the infection was massive and the parasites found themselves in an environment favorable for them, then the worms present in the intestines or liver can provoke the development of many diseases.
The degree of harm 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 reproductive cycle if a person is an intermediate host, as in the case of bovine tapeworm or cat fluke infection.But more often than not, parasites have existed in the human body for years.
The consequences of infection with worms 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 in children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child and, in pregnant women, cause miscarriage or delayed fetal development.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic infestation, there are manifestations common to all types of infection and specific, characteristic of each species.
Common symptoms of worms in adults:
- increased body temperature to subfebrile for no apparent reason;
- pain in the abdomen, 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 anal area;
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworms in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, no symptoms of infection may be observed for a long time.Signs of dysfunction of a particular organ then appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact in case of helminthic infestation?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or therapist, who will recommend an examination and prescribe treatment.Additionally, worms present in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnosis
Helminth detection is carried out in several ways:
- Stool analysis and worm egg scraping.Most helminths live in the intestines, so eggs or body parts of parasites may be found in stools or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, since helminths in the stool can only be detected in case of massive infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestations.The enzyme immunoassay method detects antibodies against parasites.In the acute form of infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has previously had parasitosis or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detects 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 a thermal camera or electromagnetic vibrations created by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, an ultrasound scan of the abdominal cavity, heart, CT scan of internal organs and MRI of blood vessels are additionally prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
A diagnosis of parasitosis often causes a negative reaction in patients, which is why they even refuse treatment.So, what should you do if worms are detected in members of your family or in your home?
Today, the treatment of helminthic infestations in adults and children presents no difficulties.There are a large number of drugs against parasites, both broad-spectrum and highly specialized.
In no case 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 intoxication of the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate medication and treatment regimen.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, we suggest the following:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad-spectrum drugs.
All types of worm medications only help get rid of adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you must undergo several treatments.
Traditional methods
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- Absinthe powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green walnut skins.It is infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 teaspoon.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Chopped cloves are taken on the tip of a knife.The duration of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
When treating helminthic infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy foods or temporarily refuse to eat to enhance the effect of treatment.And to speed up the elimination of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much fluid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- Foodstuffs.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.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public catering places, transport, stores, on the street, in contact with street and domestic animals.The only means of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact and housekeeping.This is how helminthic infestations spread in groups of children.It is also possible to contaminate members of the same family by sharing towels, bedding or clothing.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?It is rare, but in case of close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiasis is to follow the rules of personal hygiene and careful processing of food.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with your doctor every year.If the worms are left untreated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of certain types of parasites, life is in danger.