Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors still consider nocturnal teeth grinding and indigestion to be the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic infestations are not dangerous and advise not taking any action if parasitosis is detected.
Types of worms in humans.
Medicine knows more than 300 types of various parasites that can live in the human body.A worm is a worm of the genus helminths that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may not cause visible damage to the host's body.But in some cases this leads to the development of serious pathologies.
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 to 40 cm in length and often accumulate in the small intestine, obstructing it.Pinworms are small round worms no more than 1 cm in length.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach a length of 4-5 cm.Worm eggs look different, but almost all are round in shape.
- Tape.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long body (up to several meters) with a small head.Long, flat worms in humans can lodge in the intestines, liver and other organs.This subspecies includes trematode worms with a long, flat body and head.They also have suction slots or suction cups.
In addition to these varieties, the body is parasitized by Giardia and protozoa, affecting the liver and small intestine.All types of parasites are characterized by the inability to completely exist outside the host's body, a high reproductive function and the ability to spread throughout the body.
Where do they live?
To understand why worms are harmful, it is necessary to know their type and location in the body.When the worms are initially located in the intestines, they travel easily through the bloodstream and reach the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucous membrane, because to obtain food the parasites suck or gnaw on the inner wall of the intestines.
To nourish themselves, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the intestines, the more nutrients will be extracted from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.The waste products of worms enter the intestinal lumen, and then into human blood, causing general poisoning.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of the parasites in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Typically, the parasite's eggs fall to the ground with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and worms.
- Biohelminths.For these parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in a 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, worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.These 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 belongings and clothing.Transmissible parasites include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often argue about whether and how dangerous worms are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in a healthy human body.If they stay, their number will be very limited and they will not cause much damage.
This theory is confirmed by its supporters by the fact that every day a person encounters many bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms, with which the body successfully copes.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome helminths that have entered the gastrointestinal tract or skin.But if the infection was massive and the parasites found themselves in a favorable environment for them, worms in the intestines or liver can provoke the development of many diseases.
The degree of damage to the body depends on how long the worms live in a person.The length of stay of parasites depends on their type.Some of them leave the body after one reproduction cycle if a person is an intermediate host, as occurs with bovine tapeworm or feline fluke infection.But most often, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakened immune system, digestion problems and a general weakening of the body, which can no longer cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infestations are especially dangerous in children and women.Parasites interfere with the full growth and development of the child and, in pregnant women, cause miscarriages or delays in the development of the fetus.
Symptoms of worms
In parasitic infestation there are manifestations common to all types of infection and specific ones, characteristic 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;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, deterioration in performance, headaches.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the abdomen and right upper quadrant;
- a rash that periodically appears all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworms) the following is observed:
- abdominal pain;
- itching in the anal area;
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworms in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headaches, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, symptoms of infection may not be seen for a long time.Then signs of dysfunction of a particular organ appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I go to in case of helminth infestations?
If you suspect that you have worms in your stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or therapist, who will give you a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Additionally, worms in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnosis
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Analysis of feces and scraping of worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestines, so eggs or body parts of the parasites can be found in feces or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, since helminths in feces can only be detected in case of massive infection.
- ELISA for helminth infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies against parasites.In the acute form of infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has already had parasitosis or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detects antibodies against certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determining helminth infestation using a thermographic camera or electromagnetic vibrations created by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, computed tomography of internal organs and magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels are also prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations.
The diagnosis of parasitosis usually causes a negative reaction in patients, who even reject treatment.So what to do if worms are found in you or your family members?
Today, the treatment of helminthic infestations in adults and children does not present any difficulties.There are a large number of anti-parasite medications, broad spectrum or highly specialized.
Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, much less attempt to remove worms from an adult or child on your own.Each of the drugs has its own level of toxicity and can cause poisoning of the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate drug and regimen for use.
Pharmacological treatment
To get rid of worms, the following is suggested:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad spectrum drugs.
All types of worm medicines only help eliminate adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, it is necessary to undergo several treatments.
Traditional methods
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- Wormwood powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green walnut skins.It is infused in alcohol for 10 to 14 days and taken 1 teaspoon.once a day.
- Clove seeds.The chopped cloves are taken with the tip of a knife.The course of treatment lasts 7 to 10 days.
Diet
In the treatment of helminthic infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy foods or temporarily refuse to eat to enhance the effect of therapy.And to accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, it is necessary to drink as much fluid as possible.
Infection routes and prevention.
There are three main methods of helminthiasis infection:
- Food products.The most common route of infection.Worm eggs can be carried in water or soil;They can easily become infected by eating unwashed fruits, vegetables and berries.A large number of parasites live in river fish and shellfish, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.Helminths can be contracted everywhere: in public catering establishments, in transport, in shops, on the street, through contact with stray and domestic animals.The only form of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact and home.This is how helminthic infestations spread in children's groups.It is also possible to infect members of the same family by sharing towels, bedding or clothing.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?This is rare, but in case of close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiasis is to observe the rules of personal hygiene and careful food processing.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with your doctor annually.If worms are left untreated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of some types of parasites, there is a risk to life.