Unfortunately, no one is immune to worm infections-both adults and children are vulnerable. A person lives and does not suspect that about 250 types of parasites live in his body-these can be both microscopic worms and up to one meter long. In order not to become carriers of parasites, let's think about the types of helminths, what are the first signs and symptoms of infection with worms, how to treat them and how to remove them, and also talk about the consequences and necessary. prevention.
What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites exist?
Helminthiasis is the collective name of the disease, which is caused by various types of parasitic worms. Coincidentally in everyday life we are accustomed to calling all parasites worms, without thinking about how many species there are. There are 3 main groups of parasites:
- nematode;
- tape worm;
- parasitic worms (trematodes).
Nematodes are a type of ringworm. These include cream worms, ringworm and trichinella. Each of these parasites is dangerous because it causes various lung diseases in adults and children. But the pinworm parasite is very dangerous from this group - it has no permanent habitat, but travels around the human body, affecting various organs. Pinworms have the appearance of white worms, an infection that in most cases occurs from contact with cats and dogs. With improper treatment, it can stop in the brain, then the consequences will be the most unpleasant.
Flatworms include echinococci, various types of tapeworms. Tapeworms may not show themselves for a long time, and eventually reach up to 10 meters in length. The first sign of a worm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they affect the intestines, nervous system, eyes and liver. The most common way to get infected with tapeworms is by eating raw fish, especially sushi enthusiasts should be careful. It looks like a six -meter tapeworm, removed from someone.
The fluke or trematode parasite is a carrier of many infections, but the most common is schistosomiasis, a disease originating in the tropics, second only to malaria in the world (according to the WHO). The most frustrating thing is that the parasite is resistant to anthelmintic drugs. So the sooner you pay attention to the symptoms, see a doctor and undergo a test, the better. A little more we will tell you what kind of research is needed and from whom to get qualified help.
Often people don’t care about worms and let the problem go. But you can’t do this - any group of parasites is very dangerous and can cause irreparable harm to the body. In addition to the development of chronic disease, cases of paralysis and blindness have also been recorded in people infected with worms. Therefore, treatment for worms should be carried out in a timely manner and not postpone serious problems until later.
Causes of helminthiasis
Helminthiasis occurs when worm eggs enter the human body. And the most common reasons for this:
- ignoring hygiene rules;
- the presence of pets or contact with farm animals (especially cattle and pigs);
- consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- the habit of biting nails, pens, pencils;
- consumption of meat and fish products that have not undergone adequate heat treatment;
- drinking insufficient clean water;
- contact with people infected with worms;
- insect bite.
Often, children attending kindergarten or school, plumbers, specialists in cleaning sewage and sewer pipes, and agricultural workers are at risk of being infected with worms.
Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis
The most, at first glance, symptom of "harmless" damage to internal organs by worms is a rash on the skin or nests. But there are more serious signs:
- indigestion;
- persistent lethargy and feeling tired;
- allergies in various manifestations;
- swollen;
- persistent headaches;
- prolonged cough;
- nausea and vomiting not associated with poisoning;
- high temperature;
- acute pain in the abdomen;
- anemia;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- reduce or, conversely, increase appetite, especially for sweets (parasites suck glucose out of the body);
- weight loss, even with good appetite;
- inflammation or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- grind teeth during sleep;
- irritation and aggression without cause;
- the presence of white worms in feces;
- persistent itching in the anus.
If at least 5 points from the above appear, do not delay a visit to the doctor and do not self-medicate. First of all, sign up to consult a therapist who will tell you the next steps and refer you to a narrow specialist. Gastroenterologists are also competent in this regard, where even tests for some helminths are included in the basic examination.
In the absence of timely treatment, complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, bile duct obstruction, intestinal obstruction, ulcers are possible.
What tests should be taken if helminthiasis is suspected?
First of all, it is necessary to pass a stool test for helminth eggs and an enzyme immunoassay. X-ray of the intestine with contrast is performed according to the doctor's prescription. For each parasite, you will need to take a separate blood test. And by looking for ringworms, only fecal analysis will help. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide a number of services to pass the necessary tests, for which you need to properly prepare.
What is the treatment for worms?
Medical treatment
What if the test results are disappointing? How to Get Rid of Parasites? Modern medicine proves that many diseases arise as a result of the presence of worms in a person, so the war against parasites requires special tactics. The oncological connection with the long -term presence of parasites in the body has also been proven. It is often difficult to recognize an infection with worms, and doctors, depending on a person’s general lethargy, confuse helminthiasis with gastrointestinal tract disease. Only after a correct diagnosis and passing the necessary tests, it is possible to diagnose the disease and begin to treat it.
Treatment of parasites includes complex therapy. As a result, not only do the worms die, but the consequences of their life activities are also eliminated.
Along with anthelmintic tablets, in the treatment of worms, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes are prescribed, which normalize digestion. Also, the use of antihistamines is not excluded. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are prescribed if anemia is present or at risk.
Proper nutrition
Effective treatment also lies in nutrition. For the duration of treatment, exclude carbohydrates from the diet: cereals, pasta, potatoes - they make it difficult for the intestines to function. Especially under the ban during treatment are fish that have not undergone adequate heat treatment - white worms may be found in herring, sushi, pickled fish. It is recommended to use fermented milk products, ripe watermelon juice, garlic. Don’t neglect pumpkin seeds - this is also an excellent preventative for both adults and children.
According to the test results and the patient's condition, the duration of treatment is determined by parasitologists and infectious disease specialists.
It is important to remember that when at least one family member is infected with worms, the whole family does prevention. And if you have pets, then so do they. Carries out heat treatment of underwear and bed linen, bathroom with disinfectant. Crockery and other household items must also be processed. After the implementation of preventive measures in 2-3 weeks, the whole family should be tested for the presence of worm eggs.
Against helminths folk remedies
Phytotherapeutic agents are recommended in cases where the patient has an intolerance to drugs. Herbal treatment is a lengthy process that requires regular and daily adherence to a regimen.
There is a universal collection that has various effects on parasites. Her recipe is very simple. For this you need to take herbs:
- 2 tablespoons chamomile flowers;
- 1 tablespoon mistletoe leaves;
- 1 tablespoon eucalyptus;
- 1 tablespoon thyme;
- 1 tablespoon knotweed;
- 1 tablespoon wild roseosemary;
- 2 tablespoons calamus;
- 2 tablespoons dandelion flowers;
- 2 tablespoons centaury.
We mix all the components in dry form, pour 2. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Then we filtered and took a glass of infusion in the morning and evening for 2 weeks. In severe cases, the course is extended to a month.
The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that it destroys most types of parasites, while not harming the body. It can also be taken as a preventative measure. It is not recommended to take this collection during pregnancy, as some herbs have abortifacient properties.
Treatment during pregnancy
What to do if helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, in this position, you can’t take strong medications, and anthelmintic medications are just that. There are two opinions on this:
- Some doctors recommend starting treatment after childbirth, when there are no harmful effects of the drug on the fetus.
- Others insist on starting treatment for worms as soon as possible, as parasites tend to penetrate the placenta and infect children’s lungs, causing respiratory illness. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy, spontaneous abortion or premature birth. Therefore, a pregnant woman should consult a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
What to do if parasites are found in children?
The responsibility for caring for children lies primarily with the parents. Not from the first time the test, you can detect worms in children. There is the concept of an incubation period, and sometimes the parasite begins to manifest itself no earlier than 21-35 days after entering the body. Therefore, children are often prescribed to take stool tests up to 3 times.
Also, parents should understand that anthelmintic medications are not just vitamin pills, but serious antiparasitic medications that should be taken only under the supervision and prescription of a doctor.
Worm prevention - an effective method
Adherence to the rules of prevention will save you and your family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis, especially since it is very simple:
- Make sure you wash your hands after walking, before eating and after visiting public places.
- If you have a pet that you love very much, take care of it, especially if there are small children in the house who are in close contact with the animal. After all, it is an animal that in 60% of cases is a distributor of worms, carrying parasites from the street in the fur and on their feet.
- Pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Get rid of the habit of biting nails and other foreign objects.
- The meat and fish you eat, bring to 100%readiness.
- Drink only purified water from a trusted source.
- Avoid contact with infected people until they are fully recovered, as kissing can also transmit helminths.
- Avoid places with large concentrations of insects, especially mosquitoes - they are dangerous carriers of various types of parasites.
- Perform regular deworming on pets twice a year. Out of season, in spring and autumn, immunity becomes weakened, which is a beneficial environment for the development of parasites. Livestock are given antihelminthic drugs in the first 10 days of life, and then in case of infection.
By using this simple method of prevention, you will protect yourself and your family from helminthiasis. The more time you spend on prevention, the less on treatment. Be healthy!