Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body, causing damage to his health, and the diseases caused by them are helminthiasis. So far, more than 300 species of these parasites have been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but mostly in areas with a warm and humid climate. The risk group for them includes children aged 5-15. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get acquainted with the outside world, low immunity to helminths, as well as insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestines.
They enter the human body through the covering tissue, when swallowing eggs, worm larvae with water and food. Larvae develop from mature eggs in the digestive tract. They enter the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and are transported to the liver, gall bladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. In the process of coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms end up in the person's intestines again. There, after 70-75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths, it takes up to 3 months - the early stage of the disease. From the moment the adult is formed, the late stage begins. In the human body, worms live in the intestines for up to a year and there they lay eggs, which pass into the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (nematodes) - roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworm (cestodes) - pork tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Flukes (trematodes) - lung and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiasis differs in the characteristics of development and infection:
Geohelminthiases. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body with unwashed fruit and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host - dogs, fish and shellfish. The defeat of humans, who are the final hosts of the parasite, is associated with the consumption of low-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often worm eggs are brought into the house on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or let outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, a person forgot to wash his hands after leaving the house, using the toilet or before eating.
The risk of helminthosis increases if you have a habit of sucking your fingers, biting your nails or holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
Poor quality washing of plant products causes great harm to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat if the technology of their preparation is violated. If beef is not cooked properly, you can contract beef tapeworm; if the fish is poorly processed, then a broad tapeworm infection is possible; if the pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of infection with pork tapeworm.
Worms can also be found indoors if it is rarely wet cleaned and people walk on it without removing their shoes outdoors.
Helminthosis can be contracted from a sick person through bedding, dishes or close contact.
The causes of morbidity are related to violations of hygiene rules, poor care of domestic cats and dogs, and poor food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, then the probability of infection with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiasis are acute and chronic. The first lead to an allergic reaction. Patients' complaints show signs of allergy and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- itching and rash on the skin;
- dyspnea;
- cough without mucus;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased formation of gases in the intestines.
In the case of chronic infection with helminths, the manifestations are different and are related to the location of the worms, their number and the characteristics of the immune response of the human body. The most common symptoms of worms are:
- weakness, increased fatigue;
- increased body temperature;
- darkening of the skin under the eyes;
- beehives;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea, vomiting;
- bad breath;
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss;
- perianal itching;
- presence of worm fragments in feces.
In addition, there may be disturbances in the work of organs affected by helminths. For example, when the parasites are in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls have vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (grinding the teeth at night). With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers - a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance for physical activity and disturbed sleep.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungal, pustular skin diseases are added, caries, allergies and accompanying diseases are more severe.
If helminthosis is not treated in time, the larvae of the parasite will damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the condition and well-being of the patient.
The products that the larvae secrete during their lifetime poison the human body. They provoke local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on the proteins, minerals and vitamins of the human body. In children, it can cause stunted development. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of their hosts, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of massive reproduction of worms in the human body, it is possible to disrupt the intestinal microflora and incompletely close the lumen of the intestine and bile ducts. This is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.
When to go to the doctor
Helminthiasis must be treated immediately. In the human body, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. They excrete food that is harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, the worms can invade the brain, lungs and other organs.
It is recommended to make an appointment with a qualified gastroenterologist if you have the following signs of pathology:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reactions, for example, skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- the person eats a lot or little;
- nausea and vomiting occur, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- bad sleep;
- increase in body temperature;
- pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in feces;
- itching in the perianal area.
If helminthic infestation is suspected, then the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are palpated. The mentioned organs can be enlarged.
In case of helminthosis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and increased ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected after 3 months from the beginning, when helminths become sexually mature individuals. For the purpose of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, laboratory tests are indicated:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- Stool analysis for worm eggs;
- co-program.
Sputum, urine, vomit, contents of the duodenum and pieces of skin are used as material for examination and diagnosis.
Allergy tests are performed to identify intestinal helminthic diseases. Changes in internal organs are detected by:
- Lung X-ray.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver.
- Computed tomography of internal organs.
- Colonoscopy.
- Esophagogastroscopy.
Sometimes it is not easy to recognize helminthosis in humans, because worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect them, it is important to take research material during the breeding season of helminths. Antibodies to worms are detected in the blood 2 months after infection. Then they are not detected in the bloodstream, but accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often, experts prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A widely known folk method for treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitins, which negatively affect the vital activity of helminths. However, pumpkin seeds alone will not completely cure you of parasites. If you don't go to the doctor or get checked, you can get complications, because the worms multiply quickly. They are especially dangerous when they affect internal organs and the brain.
How to get rid of worms - traditional medicine can be used in addition to treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Infusion of tansy
Infusion of wormwood
To prepare the infusion, dried wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant material are poured with 300 ml of boiling water and left in a thermos for 6-8 hours. Then the infusion should be filtered. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product is stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 2 days.
Infusion of cloves. This spice is widely used in folk medicine. The dried buds of this plant improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion and increase immunity. Clove infusion is effective against worms.
To prepare it, pour 500 ml of water into 30 g of buds and wait for the product to cool completely. Take 1 glass orally before breakfast.
Tincture of cloves. Pour 30 g of buds into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). Infuse the liquid in the dark for 2-3 weeks, then filter. Take 1 teaspoon of tincture before meals for 2-4 weeks.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of worms in adults, it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is also necessary to instill them in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, contact with animals, using the toilet and before eating.
- Wash fruits and herbs well with water and rinse with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood should be thermally processed for a long time.
- Use high-quality and safe water for domestic purposes.
- You must use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and bed linen.
- You can use boiled, filtered water for drinking.
- Indoors, you should regularly wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floors.
- Once every 2 weeks it is necessary to wash the floors with detergent.
How to remove worms - prevention of helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents is recommended in spring and autumn. Pets should also undergo periodic anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.