As you know, parasites are considered to be the most resistant organisms in the external environment. To date, about 250 species have been identified as helminths that can infect humans. All of them pose a threat to the health and, in severe cases, to the lives of those infected. Knowledge of the types of helminths in humans and their characteristics greatly facilitates treatment and helps to develop an effective prevention plan.
What worms do humans have?
It takes a long time to fully become familiar with worm species. The fact is that so far, scientists have not been able to provide the most detailed information on the classification of parasites. This is largely due to the fact that a particular area is characterized by the presence of specific helminthic invasions. In this regard, it is almost impossible to obtain data on all types of human helminths that exist on Earth.
Thus, worms, which are most commonly diagnosed in the southern zone, are practically not found in the population of the northern geographical regions. For temperate climates and mid-latitudes, about 20 species of worms have been identified as the most common. They can be conditionally divided into 3 main categories:
- Round parasitic worms (nematodes).
- Paste helminths (cestodes).
- Flatworms (trematodes).
1. Round and flat helminths
Each of the above groups includes a wide variety of parasitic organisms that need a brief description. In children and adults, it is most often necessary to treat such representatives of worms that belong to the class of trematodes:
- Chinese flute;
- cat fluff;
- liver fluke.
Among nematodes, there are 7 best known and most common types of parasites that inhabit the body of any age. Roundworms that are transmitted in all possible ways are:
- pinworms;
- roundworm;
- intestinal acne;
- whips;
- Trichinella; trichostrongylides;
- strikes.
2. Invasion of cestodes
Tapeworms (or cestodes) are parasitic worms that pose the greatest threat to the body. The diagnosis of such helminthic infections occurs much less frequently than roundworm infections in children and adults, however, infection with the following types of worms is fraught with the most severe consequences:
- bull tapeworm;
- dwarf tapeworm;
- swine tapeworm;
- wide ribbon; echinococcus;
- tapeworm.
Acanthocephalus can be called one of the rarest types of helminthic invasions. These include the giant ridge and the pile ridge. Such worms can enter the body in the most common cases, for example, when they eat an insect or its larva infected with parasites.
Why are worms dangerous to humans?
In order to adequately assess the degree of threat to the patient's health in the case of helminth infestation, it is first necessary to determine which types of worms they belong to. Depending on the type of worm, the treatment and its duration are determined. The main damage due to the presence of parasites in the body is felt by the intestines - most of all helminths are localized in this organ. Worms select all the nutrients that should be absorbed and that would benefit the person.
Meanwhile, other types of worms don’t just settle in the gut and “steal” all the necessary valuable micronutrients from humans. They actively multiply and affect other vital human organs and systems. In addition to the heart muscle, liver and lungs, worms can cause enormous damage to the brain and blood vessels. Worms can even infect the eyes.
Main ways of worm infection
You can protect yourself and your loved ones from disease if you know how helminths of a certain species enter the body. This is the only way to take all necessary measures in a timely manner and reduce the risk of infection. The main transmission routes are known to be:
- Infection occurs through soil and water. When you walk barefoot on the ground, the risk of laying eggs inside increases several times. An untested source of drinking, and in common cases even water from a common water supply can contain worm larvae.
- Helminth eggs enter the body along with animal products. The result of helminthic invasions is insufficient or poor quality processing of meat, fish, seafood, eggs. People who prefer exotic Asian cuisine are at risk of worm infestation. He, sushi, sashimi are based on raw fish and meat.
- Some types of parasites can settle in the gut, entering it along with unwashed vegetables and fruits. Rejection of animal products does not solve the problem of the probability of developing helminthiasis. Worm eggs, as already mentioned, can be contained in the soil. It is recommended to pour boiling water over the fruit before use.
- Worms are transmitted to humans and animals. Pets often do not become a source of infection for their owners. However, worms can be found both inside the animal and in its fur. The eggs of dog and cat parasites fall to the ground, spreading further with melted water.
Transmission of parasites from sick people
Worms can also move from one infected person to another. There are several ways to transmit helminthic invasions:
- through unwashed hands (for example, when shaking hands, hugging);
- when using common accessories;
- when wearing someone else's underwear;
- applies personal hygiene products to several people in groups.
Pinworm eggs most often pass from person to person, often falling under the nail plates, staying there for a long time. The prevalence of this type of worm in children is explained by neglecting the basic rules of cleanliness. A child can simply pull their hands into their mouths or bite their nails so that pinworms have no difficulty penetrating the new human body. The task of parents at this stage is to timely recognize the signs of helminthiasis and prevent the development of helminthic invasions in their baby, immediately starting treatment for the disease.
Symptoms of the acute phase of helminthiasis
It is not easy to detect early signs of a parasitic infection in an adult or child. The diagnosis of the presence of worms is complicated by the fact that the incubation period in some species can last up to one and a half years.
As a rule, the first symptoms of a worm infestation appear after different periods of time. In addition, the course of helminthiasis can be conditionally divided into 2 phases:
- acute phase (lasts on average no more than two months after the incubation period);
- chronic (characterized by the development of sexually mature parasites and can last for decades).
In the acute phase of the invasion, the main, clearly expressed symptom can be called an allergic reaction. As a result of the formation of antibodies to the migration of parasitic larvae, pathological manifestations on the skin should be warned. Indicators of infection with any type of worm in humans are the following symptoms:
- skin hyperemia;
- stinging and itching;
- small rash on the surface of the epidermis or mucosa;
- slight enlargement of lymph nodes;
- local edema;
- sternum pain (until choking attack);
- vomiting and persistent nausea;
- diarrhea or constipation.
In addition, such dangerous pathologies as pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis can become complications of the appearance of other beings in the body.
Reliable confirmation of the presence of helminths in internal organs is the eosinophil index in a clinical blood test. The increased value of these particles is caused by dysproteinemia - a violation of the normal numerical proportion between protein fractions.
Types of symptoms in the chronic form of the disease
Signs of chronic helminthiasis in humans are predetermined by the localization of parasite colonization. In simple words: the manifestations of the disease will depend on which organ will become the main habitat of a particular type of worm.
In particular, the most common parasitism in roundworm intestines can occur without the slightest symptoms. If larger species are affected by worms, signs of the disease will become noticeable as soon as the worms reach puberty. Dyspeptic disorders in adults and children, pain syndrome and neurotic manifestations are their characteristic features. Ascariasis is often characterized by the development of intestinal obstruction and pancreatitis, and the risk of cancer increases.
Parasite Remedies
Helminthiasis should be treated at the earliest possible stage. Effective therapy will be if you know exactly what kind of parasite has settled in the body before you start it. There are plenty of anthelmintic drugs available today.
These are different types of drugs that can target a specific type of worm. Stronger anti-worm drugs are broad-spectrum drugs and are excellent for treating combined helminthiasis. Both are considered toxic, have many side effects and contraindications. The use of such drugs should be carried out with extreme caution only after a medical recommendation.
Most types of worms in an adult last a long time and persistently. Parasitologists often prescribe several anthelmintic drugs at the same time.
The regimen and dosage of a particular drug should be compiled exclusively by a specialist. This will help avoid allergies and serious side effects. In some types of helminthic infection, treatment must be repeated. This is often due to the fact that during the first therapy most adult worms were neutralized, but some forms of larvae and helminth eggs still remain in the patient’s body. If left untreated, the worms will return.
Basic prevention measures
Drug therapy is undoubtedly an important part of the process of removing and in some cases preventing parasites. However, to deal with invasive worms, the simplest rules for worm prevention need to be followed. Treatment will fail if you ignore the following rules:
- Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
- If it is not possible to clean the skin of the hands with soap, it is recommended to use wet antibacterial wipes.
- Any food must be thoroughly rinsed before cooking.
- It is important to expose meat and fish to prolonged exposure to heat.
- Use only water from reliable sources for drinking.
- At least once a year it is extremely important to get tested for worms.