Signs of worms in humans: effective treatment and prevention.

Unfortunately, no one is immune from worm infection; both adults and children are susceptible. A person lives and does not suspect that about 250 varieties of parasites live in his body; these can be microscopic worms and up to a meter in length. In order not to become carriers of parasites, let's find out what types of helminths are, what are the first signs and symptoms of infection with worms, how to treat them and how to eliminate them, and also talk about the consequences and necessary prevention.

What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites are there?

Helminthiasis is the collective name for the disease, which is caused by various types of parasitic worms. It so happened that in everyday life we are used to calling all parasites worms, not thinking about how many species there are. There are 3 main groups of parasites:

• nematodes;
• tapeworms;
• parasitic flukes (trematodes).

Nematodes are a type of roundworm. These include pinworms, pinworms, and trichinella. Each of these parasites is dangerous because it causes various lung diseases in adults and children. But the pinworm parasite is especially dangerous from this group - it does not have a permanent habitat, but roams the human body, affecting various organs. Pinworms have the appearance of white worms, the infection of which in most cases occurs through contact with cats and dogs. With untimely 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 for a long time, eventually reaching up to 10 meters in length. The first sign of pinworm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they affect the intestines, the nervous system, the eyes and the liver. The most common way to get infected with tapeworms is by eating raw fish, especially sushi lovers should be careful. It looks like a six-meter tapeworm, which was removed from a person.

Trematode or trematode parasites are the carriers of many infections, but the most common is schistosomiasis, a disease native to the tropics, which is second only to malaria in the world (according to the WHO). The most disappointing thing is that such parasites are resistant to anthelmintic drugs. Therefore, the sooner you pay attention to the symptoms, see a doctor and get tested, the better. A little later we will tell you what kind of research is needed and from whom to get qualified help.

Very often, people do not give worms a lot of thought and let the problem run its course. But you can not do this - any group of parasites is very dangerous and can cause irreparable harm to the body. In addition to the development of chronic diseases, even cases of paralysis and blindness have been recorded in people infected with worms. Therefore, treatment for worms should be done on time, and not put off such a serious problem for later.

Causes of helminthiasis

Helminthiasis occurs when the eggs of worms enter the human body. And the most common reasons for this:

• ignore hygiene rules;
• the presence of pets or contact with farm animals (especially cows and pigs);
• the use of unwashed vegetables and fruits;
• the habit of biting nails, pens, pencils;
• the use of meat and fish products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment;
• drink insufficiently purified water;
• contact with a person who is infected with worms;
• insect bites.

In most cases, children attending a kindergarten or school, plumbers, sewer and sewer pipe cleaning specialists, and agricultural workers are at risk of becoming infected with worms.

Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis

Most, at first glance, "harmless" symptoms of damage to internal organs by worms are a skin rash or hives. But there are much more serious signs:

• indigestion;
• constant lethargy and tired feeling;
• allergies in various manifestations;
• swelling;
• persistent headache;
• prolonged cough;
• nausea and vomiting not associated with poisoning;
• High temperature;
• sharp pain in the abdomen;
• anemia;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• reduced or, conversely, increased appetite, especially for sweets (parasites suck glucose out of the body);
• weight loss, even with a good appetite;
• swollen or enlarged lymph nodes;
• grinding teeth when sleeping;
• irritability and aggression for no reason;
• the presence of white worms in the feces;
• constant itching in the anus.

If at least 5 points of the above appear, do not postpone the visit to the doctor and do not self-medicate. First, sign up for a consultation with a therapist who will guide you through the next steps and refer you to a specific specialist. A gastroenterologist is also competent in this matter, in which tests for some helminths are even included in the basic examination.

In the absence of timely treatment, complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, blockage of the bile ducts, intestinal obstruction and 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. An x-ray of the intestine with contrast is performed according to the doctor's prescription. For each parasite, you need to take a separate blood test. And with the search for roundworms, only fecal analysis will help. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide a number of services for passing the necessary tests, for which you need to properly prepare.

What are the treatments for worms?

Medical treatment

What if the test results were disappointing? How to eliminate parasites? Modern medicine shows that many diseases arise due to the presence of worms in a person, so the war against parasites requires special tactics. The connection of oncology 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, based on the general malaise of a person, confuse helminthiasis with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. 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 the worms die, but also the consequences of their vital activity are eliminated.

Along with anthelmintic tablets, in the treatment of worms, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes that normalize digestion are prescribed. Also, the use of antihistamines is not excluded. Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are prescribed if there is anemia or risk.

proper nutrition

Effective treatment is also found in the diet. For the duration of treatment, exclude carbohydrates from the diet: cereals, pasta, potatoes - they hinder the functioning of the intestines. Especially under the ban during treatment is fish that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment: white worms can be present in herring, sushi, and pickled fish. It is recommended to use fermented milk products, juice of ripe melon, garlic. Do not neglect pumpkin seeds - this is also an excellent prevention for both adults and children.

Depending on the test results and the patient's condition, the duration of treatment is determined by the parasitologist and the infectologist.

It is important to remember that when at least one member of the family is infected with worms, prevention is carried out by the whole family. And if you have pets, so do they. Carry out heat treatment of underwear and bedding, bath with disinfectants. Tableware and other household items should also be processed. After the implementation of preventive measures in 2-3 weeks, the whole family should be tested for the presence of a worm egg.

The fight against helminths folk remedies.

A phytotherapeutic agent is recommended in cases where the patient has drug intolerance. Herbal treatment is a long process that requires regular and daily adherence to the regimen.

There is a universal collection that has a wide range of effects on parasites. His recipe is very simple. For this you need to take herbs:

• 2 tablespoons chamomile flowers;
• 1 tablespoon mistletoe leaves;
• 1 tablespoon of eucalyptus;
• 1 tablespoon of thyme;
• 1 tablespoon of knuckles;
• 1 tablespoon wild rosemary;
• 2 tablespoons calamus root;
• 2 tablespoons dandelion flowers;
• 2 tablespoons centaury

We mix all the components in a dry form, pour 2. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Then we filter and drink a glass of infusion in the morning and in the 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, without harming the body. It can also be taken as a preventive measure. It is not recommended to take this collection during pregnancy, as some herbs have abortifacient properties.

Treatment during pregnancy

What to do if a helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, in this position, you can not take powerful drugs, and anthelmintic drugs are just that. There are two opinions about it:

• Some doctors recommend starting treatment after childbirth, when there is no harmful effect of drugs on the fetus.
• Others insist on starting treatment for worms as soon as possible, since the parasites tend to penetrate the placenta and infect the child's lungs, causing respiratory diseases. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy, miscarriage, or premature labor. Therefore, a pregnant woman should definitely consult a doctor and pass the necessary tests.

What to do if parasites are found in a child?

The responsibility for the treatment of children lies primarily with the parents. Not from the first time it is tested, you can detect worms in a child. 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 a stool test up to 3 times.

Also, parents need to understand that anthelmintic drugs are not just a vitamin pill, but serious deworming drugs that should be taken only under the supervision and prescription of a doctor.

Prevention of worms - effective methods

Compliance with the rules of prevention will save you and your family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis, especially since they are very simple:

• Be sure to 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 is a small child at home who is in close contact with the animal. After all, it is the animals that in 60% of cases are the distributors of worms, bringing parasites from the street in wool and on their paws.
• Pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Get rid of the habit of biting your nails and other foreign objects.
• The meat and fish you eat, take them to 100% preparation.
• Drink only purified water from trusted sources.
• Avoid contact with an infected person until they are fully recovered, as kissing can also transmit helminths.
• Avoid places with a high concentration of insects, especially mosquitoes, as they are dangerous carriers of various types of parasites.
• Carry out periodic deworming of pets twice a year. Out of season, in spring and autumn, immunity is weakened, which is a beneficial environment for the development of parasites. Farm animals receive anthelmintic drugs in the first 10 days of life and later in cases of infection.

By applying these simple prevention methods, you will protect yourself and your family from helminthiasis. The more time you spend on prevention, the less on treatment. Be healthy!