A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that inhabit it without question - and these are worms.Nobody is happy with such a coexistence, so urgent measures are taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms or helminths are parasitic worms that live on animals and plants, feed and reproduce inside living organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms.It is assumed that there is not a single adult in whose body a single worm has not settled during their life, says the general practitioner.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures actually exist.
Among all the parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, there are three main groups:
- nematodes related to roundworms: pinworm, whipworm, trichinella, roundworm;
- tapeworms, or flatworms related to cestodes (various species of tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococcus);
- fluke parasites, or trematodes, which cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other diseases.
Causes of worms in humans
The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.It occurs when the larvae or eggs of worms enter the human body.
This can happen for the following reasons:
- the person does not follow basic hygiene rules: he does not wash his hands after walking down the street, after visiting guests or after using the toilet, and does not rinse them before eating.
- The cause of worms in people is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of infection with worms is high if you have pets, especially those that walk the streets.
Even with timely anthelmintic therapy, dogs and cats can spread worm eggs brought from the street on their paws and fur.
- You can get infected with worms if you do not treat the vegetables, fruits, berries and greens that you will eat with hot water.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from an unknown source or wash food with it.
- Meat and fish that have not been properly processed pose a risk of infection.When eating poorly thermally processed beef - beef tapeworm, pork - pork tapeworm, and lightly salted and raw fish, the broad tapeworm lives.
- You can catch earthworms in your house if you rarely clean it, wear shoes outdoors and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if you share dishes, bedding or stay in the same room for a long time.
It is obvious that most of the causes of the appearance of worms in people are due to non-observance of hygiene rules.Those who take care of themselves, their home and their pets may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of worms in humans
The treatment of worms in a person is carried out by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult, or by a pediatrician if the worms are in a child.
In the case of worms, in no case should you self-medicate: the drugs used in the treatment of helminthiasis are quite hard on the body.
Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the purpose of which is not only to destroy the parasites, but also to remove the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it is unlikely that they will be able to be treated with anthelmintic drugs alone.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a close circle easily infect each other.
In addition to medication, vitamins and enzymes can be prescribed to improve digestion.For more effective treatment of worms, a person will have to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, they must undergo anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be in vain.
Which tablets can be used?
Worms are quite a delicate problem, which forces many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly insists that certain pills can instantly solve the problem.
However, many do not notice that in any advertisement there is an indication that you should consult a doctor before use.These are not simple words, but we have said that deworming medicines are very serious and can cause harm if taken uncontrollably.
The following are used to treat worms in humans:
- anthelmintic drugs - destroy worms;
- antihistamines, which will help if you are allergic to parasites that die en masse;
- enterosorbents, which remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid - all will help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors for liver protection.
- probiotics.
The frequency of taking the medicine is determined by the infectious disease doctor, based on the results of an objective examination, complaints and tests of the patient.
Traditional methods of treatment
As a folk remedy for worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins, which destroy worms.However, you should not rely on a miracle cure from worms with the help of pumpkin seeds.
Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts and enter the ducts of the pancreas.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia - a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect helminthiasis, you should make an appointment with a doctor: general practitioner, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans are:
- malaise, weakness, fatigue;
- allergies, such as skin rash, cough, asthma attacks;
- decreased or increased appetite;
- nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
- stomach pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
- sleep problems, insomnia;
- inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
- fever without reason;
- muscle and joint pain without exercise;
- snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
- presence of worms in feces;
- itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiasis: acute and chronic.The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Most often, during this period, a pronounced allergic reaction to the helminth occurs.
After about two months, the acute phase turns into a chronic phase, and here the symptoms depend on the pathogen that the person picked up and its habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans
As a rule, we learn the main rules for the prevention of worms in people in childhood, but sometimes we simply do not follow them:
- It is necessary to wash your hands well with soap before eating, after using the toilet and after going outside.
- Vegetables, fruits, herbs need to be washed, and after washing, pour boiling water over them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In everyday life, you must use only high-quality, safe water.
- Each member of the family must have means for personal hygiene and accessories.
- The house should be kept clean and wet cleaning carried out regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive anthelmintic therapy.