Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to consider teeth grinding at night 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 different types of parasites that can live in the human body.Worms are worms from the genus helminths that parasitize the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may not cause significant harm to the host body.But in some cases it leads to the development of serious pathology.
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, clogging it.Pinworms are small round worms no more than 1 cm long.Whipworms are large intestinal parasites 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 tapeworms.They are characterized by a long body (up to several meters) 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 flat, long bodies and heads.They also have a suction groove or suction.
In addition to this variety, 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 dangerous, you need to know their type and location in the body.When the worm is initially localized in the intestine, it easily travels through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestine.There they damage the mucous membrane, because to get food the parasites suck or gnaw the inner layer of the intestine.
For nutrition, they always need digested food or blood.The more parasites in the gut, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.Worm waste products enter the intestinal lumen, and then into the human blood, which causes general intoxication.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of the parasite 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 a new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and necators.
- Biohelminths.For these parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently inside 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 worm must enter a new organism, usually an animal or a warm-blooded 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 items and clothing.Transmissible parasites include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms dangerous?
Doctors often argue whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasite can live in a healthy human body.If they remain, their numbers will be very limited, and they will not cause much harm.
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 on the skin.But if the infection is large, and the parasites find themselves in an environment that is favorable to themselves, then worms in the intestine or liver can cause the development of many diseases.
The level of damage to the body depends on how long the worms live in a person.The length of stay of the parasite depends on its type.Some of them leave the body after one reproductive cycle if one is an intermediate host, such as with cattle tapeworm or cat worm infections.But often, parasites exist in the human body for many years.
The result of infection with worms is a weak immune system, impaired digestion and general weakness of the body, which can no longer cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infestation is especially dangerous in children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of children, and in pregnant women they cause miscarriage or delayed fetal development.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic attacks, there are manifestations that are common to all types of infection and specific characteristics of each species.
Common symptoms of worms in adults:
- increase in body temperature to subfebrile for no apparent reason;
- pain in the abdomen, right hypochondrium;
- stool instability;
- changes in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, impaired performance, headache.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the stomach and right hypochondrium;
- rashes that appear periodically all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworms) the following is observed:
- stomach ache;
- itching in the anal area;
- appetite changes.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworm in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worm enters the liver, lungs or other internal organs, no symptoms of infection can be observed for a long time.Then signs of certain organ dysfunction appear: cough, skin jaundice, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for a helminthic infection?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or a therapist, who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Also, worms in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnostics
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Analysis of feces and scraping of worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestine, so eggs or parts of the parasite's body can be found in feces or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is low reliability, because helminths in feces can only be detected with massive infections.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies to parasites.In the form of an acute infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has experienced parasitosis, or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detects antibodies to specific types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There is a less common diagnostic method: determining helminthic infestation using a thermal imager or electromagnetic vibrations created by the parasite.But this method is 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 infestation
The diagnosis of parasitosis often causes a negative reaction in patients, which is why they refuse treatment.So what to do if worms are found in your or your family members?
Today, the treatment of helminthic attacks in adults and children does not cause any difficulties.There are a large number of drugs against parasites - broad spectrum or very specific.
In any case, you should not self-medicate, let alone try to remove worms from adults or children yourself.Each drug has its own level of toxicity and can cause body poisoning.Only a doctor can prescribe the right medicine and regimen for its use.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following is suggested:
- A universal preparation for all types of parasites.
- This drug is active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad spectrum medicine.
All kinds of drugs for worms only help to get rid of adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of therapy.
Traditional method
To get rid of worms, there is the following recipe:
- Wormwood powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Mung bean skin.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 course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
When treating helminthic attacks, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or temporarily refuse to eat to increase the effect of therapy.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid 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 are easily 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 do not undergo heat treatment.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public catering, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street and domestic animals.The only way to prevent it is to maintain personal hygiene and monitor the condition of pets.
- Contacts and household.This is how helminthic attacks spread in a group of children.You can also infect members of the same family 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 helminthiases is to observe the rules of personal hygiene 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.