Worms are still one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors still consider teeth grinding and indigestion as the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic attacks are not dangerous and advise not to take any measures if parasitosis is detected.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine knows more than 300 types of different parasites that can live in the human body.A worm is a worm from the genus of helminths that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It must not cause 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, pinworms and whipworms.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine and clog it.Pinworms are small roundworms 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 have a round shape.
- Tape.These worms include tapeworms and hookworms.They are characterized by a long (up to several meters) body with a small head.Long and flat worms 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 suckers or suckers.
In addition to these varieties, the body is parasitized by Giardia and protozoa, which affect 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.Once worms are initially located in the intestines, they easily travel through the bloodstream and reach the lungs, liver, brain, and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucosa because the parasites suck or gnaw through the inside of the intestine to obtain food.
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.The waste products of worms penetrate into the lumen of the intestine and then into the human blood, causing general poisoning.
Classification
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 with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and necators.
- Biohelminths.In order for such parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in a mammal's body.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 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 argue about whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasites 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 that the body successfully copes with.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome helminths that have entered the gastrointestinal tract or on the skin.However, if the infection was massive and the parasites found themselves in an environment favorable to themselves, 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 parasites depends on their type.Some of them leave the body after a reproductive cycle if a person is an intermediate host, as with infection with bovine tapeworm or feline fluke.But most often parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of infection with worms are a weakened immune system, reduced digestion and a general weakening of the body, which can no longer cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infestations are especially dangerous in children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child, and in pregnant women they cause abortion or delayed development of the fetus.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic attack, there are manifestations 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;
- pain in the stomach, right hypochondrium;
- stool instability;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, impairment of performance, headache.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the stomach and right hypochondrium;
- a rash that periodically appears all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworm), the following is 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 worms penetrate the liver, lungs or other internal organs, symptoms of infection cannot be observed for a long time.Then, signs of dysfunction of a particular organ appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for helminthic infestation?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or therapist, who will give a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Worms in the stomach also 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 only be detected with massive infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies against parasites.In the acute form of infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has already 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 widespread.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 infestation
A 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, treatment of helminthic attacks in adults and children presents no 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 on your own.Each of the substances 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.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following is suggested:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The medicines are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad-spectrum medicines.
All types of anti-worm medication only help to get rid of adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to go through 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.
- Green nut skins.It is infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 tsp.once a day.
- Down seeds.Chopped cloves are taken on the tip of a knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
When treating helminthic infestation, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or temporarily refuse to eat in order to increase the effect of the therapy.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.
Pathways 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 shellfish, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Non-compliance with rules for personal hygiene.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public catering places, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street and domestic animals.The only way to prevent it is personal hygiene and monitoring the pet's condition.
- Contact and household.This is how helminthic attacks 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 close contact with an infected patient increases the risk of infecting others several times over.The only prevention of helminthiases is to observe the rules of personal hygiene and careful handling of food.
It is recommended to undergo 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 some types of parasites there is a risk to life.