As you know, parasites are considered the most resistant organisms to the external environment. To date, about 250 species are recognized as helminths that are capable of infecting humans. All pose a threat to the health and, in more severe cases, the lives of those infected. Knowledge of the types of helminths in humans and their properties greatly facilitates treatment and helps to devise an effective prevention plan.
What worms do humans have?
It takes a lot of time to get acquainted with the worm types. The fact is that researchers so far can not provide the most detailed information on the classification of parasites. This is more due to the fact that a particular area is characterized by the presence of specific helminthic invasions. In this regard, it is almost impossible to obtain data on all types of human helminths found on Earth.
Worms, which are often diagnosed in the southern zone, are practically non-existent in the population of the northern geographical regions. For the temperate climatic zone and the middle latitudes, approx. 20 varieties of worms as the most common. They can be conditionally divided into 3 main categories:
- Round parasitorms (nematodes).
- Band helminths (cestodes).
- Flat worms (trematodes).
1. Round and flat helmets
Each of the above groups includes a large 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 class of trematodes:
- Chinese fluke;
- cat curse;
- liver fluke.
Among nematodes, there are 7 most famous and common parasite species that live in the body at all ages. The roundworms that are transmitted in every possible way are:
- pinorme;
- roundworm;
- tarmacne;
- whipworm;
- Trichinella;
- trichostrongylides;
- hookworms.
2. Cestode invasions
Tapeworms (or cestodes) are parasitic worms that pose the greatest threat to the body. Diagnosis of such helminthic attacks occurs much less frequently than infections with round parasites in children and adults, but infection with the following types of worms is fraught with the most serious consequences:
- bullish tapeworm;
- dwarf tapeworm;
- pork worm;
- broadband;
- echinococcus;
- rat tapeworm.
One of the rarest types of helminthic invasions is acanthocephalus. These include the giant ridge and the beaded ridge. Such worms are able to enter the body in the rarest of cases, for example when eating 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 the case of helminth settlement, it is first necessary to determine the types of worms to which they belong. Depending on the type of worms, the treatment and its duration are determined. The greatest damage from the presence of parasites in the body is felt by the intestines - the majority of all helminths are located in this organ. All nutrients 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 microelements from humans. They multiply actively 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 from a particular species enter the body. This is the only way to take all necessary measures in a timely manner and minimize the risk of infection. It is known about the main transmission routes that:
- Infection occurs through soil and water. When walking on the ground with bare feet, the risk of laying inside increases several times. An unconfirmed source of drinking water and in ordinary cases, even water from a common water supply may contain worm larvae.
- Helminth eggs enter the body along with animal products. The result of helminthic invasions is insufficient or poor processing of meat, fish, seafood, eggs. People who prefer exotic Asian cuisine are at risk of becoming worms. He, sushi, sashimi are based on raw fish and meat.
- Some types of parasites can settle in the gut once they have entered it along with unwashed vegetables and fruits. Rejection of animal products does not solve the problem of the likelihood of developing helminthiasis. Worm eggs can, as mentioned, be found in the soil. It is recommended to pour fruits 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 inside the animal and on its fur. From dogs and cats, the parasite eggs fall into the ground and spread further with meltwater.
Transmission of parasites from sick people
Worms can also move from one infected person to another. There are several ways to transmit helminthic invasions:
- through unwashed hands (for example, when shaking hands, hugging)
- when using ordinary tools;
- when wearing someone else's underwear
- group use of personal hygiene products by several people.
The eggs of pinworms most often pass from person to person, which often fall under the nail plates and linger there for a long time. The prevalence of this type of worms in children is explained by neglect of the basic rules of cleanliness. A child can simply pull their hands into their mouths or bite their nails, so pinworms have no problem penetrating a new human body. The task of the parents at this point is to recognize signs of helminthiasis and prevent the development of helminthic invasions in their baby who immediately begin to treat the disease.
Symptoms of the acute stage of helminthiasis
It is not easy to detect early signs of a parasitic infection in an adult or a child. Diagnosis of the presence of worms is complicated by the fact that the incubation period in some species can last up to a year and a half.
As a rule, the first symptoms of worm infestation appear after different periods. In addition, helminthiasis can be conditionally divided into 2 phases:
- acute stage (lasts on average no more than two months after the incubation period)
- chronic (characterized by the development of sexually mature parasites and can last for decades).
In the acute phase of the invasion, the most important, clearly expressed symptom can be called an allergic reaction. As a result of the production of antibodies against the migration of parasitic larvae, pathological manifestations on the skin should be warned. An indicator of infection with any type of worm in humans are the following symptoms:
- hyperemia of the skin;
- burning sensation and itching
- small eruptions on the surface of the epidermis or mucous membranes
- slight increase in lymph nodes
- local swelling;
- chest pain (up to suffocation)
- vomiting and persistent nausea
- diarrhea or constipation.
In addition, such dangerous pathologies as pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis can become complications of the appearance in the body of other creatures.
A reliable confirmation of the presence of helminths in the internal organs is the index of eosinophils in the clinical blood test. The increased value of these particles is caused by dysproteinemia - a violation of the normal numerical ratio between protein fractions.
Types of symptoms in chronic form of the disease
The signs of chronic helminthiasis in humans are determined by the location of the colonization of parasites. In simple words: the manifestations of the disease will depend on which organ becomes the main habitat for a particular type of worm.
In particular, the most common parasitism in roundworms can even continue without the slightest symptoms. If larger species are affected by worms, signs of the disease will become noticeable as soon as the worms reach puberty. Dyspeptic disorders in an adult and a child, pain syndrome and neurotic manifestations are their characteristic features. Ascariasis is often characterized by the development of intestinal obstruction and pancreatitis, and the risk of oncological diseases increases.
Drugs against parasites
It is necessary to undergo helminthiasis treatment as early as possible. An effective therapy would be if before you start it you know exactly what kind of parasite has settled in the body. There are lots of anthelmintic drugs today.
These are different types of drugs that can target a specific type of worm. Stronger worm medicines are broad-spectrum drugs and are excellent for treating combined helminthiasis. Both are considered toxic, have many side effects and contraindications. Use of such drugs should be carried out only with extreme caution following a medical recommendation.
Most types of worms in an adult take a long time and persistently. Often, parasitologists prescribe simultaneous administration of several antihelminthic drugs.
The regimen and dosage of a specific drug should be determined exclusively by a specialist. This helps avoid allergies and serious side effects. For some types of helminthic infection, treatment should be repeated. This is often due to the fact that most of the adult worms were neutralized during the first treatment, but some types of larvae and helminthic eggs still remain in the patient's body. If the worm is not treated again, the worms return.
Basic Prevention Measures
Drug treatment is undoubtedly an important part of the process of getting rid of and in some cases preventing parasites. To cope with invasive worms, however, you must follow the simplest rules for worm prevention. Processing will not work if you ignore the following rules:
- Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilets and before eating.
- If it is not possible to clean your hands with soap, it is recommended to use wet antibacterial cloths.
- All food should be rinsed thoroughly before cooking.
- It is important to expose meat and fish to prolonged heat exposure.
- Use only water from reliable sources for drinking.
- At least once a year, it is extremely important to be tested for worms.