Worms are still one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors still believe that nighttime teeth grinding and indigestion are the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminthic infestations are not dangerous and advise not to take any measures 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 from the helminth genus that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It cannot cause visible harm to the host organism.But in some cases it 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 10-40 cm in length, often accumulate in the small intestine and block it.Pinworms are small round worms no longer than 1 cm.Flagella parasitize in 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 (up to several meters) body with a small head.Long and flatworms in humans can settle in the intestines, liver and other organs.This subspecies includes fluke worms with a flat, long body and head.They also have suction grooves or suction cups.
In addition to these varieties, the body is also parasitized by Giardia and protozoa, affecting the liver and small intestine.All types of parasites are characterized by the inability to exist completely outside the host's body, high reproductive function and the ability to spread throughout the body.
Where do they live?
To understand why worms are harmful, you need to know their type and location in the body.When worms are initially localized in the intestines, they easily travel through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There, they damage the mucosa, because in order to get food, the parasites suck or bite through the inner mucosa of the intestine.
They constantly need digested food or blood for nutrition.The more parasites there are in the gut, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.Worm waste products enter the lumen of the intestine, and then into the human blood, which causes general intoxication.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of the parasite in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Usually, parasite eggs fall into the soil with feces, which, together with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and nekators.
- Biohelminths.In order for such parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in the body of mammals.Eggs begin to develop when they enter the body of an intermediate host - an animal, bird or fish.In order to mature and reproduce, worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.Such 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 debate whether and how dangerous worms are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in a healthy human body.If they stay, their numbers will be very limited and won't cause much damage.
This theory is confirmed by its supporters by the fact that every day a person encounters many pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that the body successfully copes with.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can defeat helminths that have entered the gastrointestinal tract or on the skin.But if the infection was massive, and the parasites found themselves in an environment favorable for them, then worms in the intestines or liver can cause the development of many diseases.
The degree of damage to the organism depends on how long the worms live in the person.The length of stay of parasites depends on their species.Some of them leave the body after one cycle of reproduction if the person is an intermediate host, as in infection with bovine tapeworm or cat fluke.But most often parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakened immune system, disturbed digestion and 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 miscarriage or delayed development of the fetus.
Symptoms of worms
In case of parasitic infestation, there are manifestations that are common to all types of infections and specific, characteristic for each type.
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 of performance, headaches.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium;
- a rash that occasionally appears all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
In case of enterobiasis (pinworm), the following is observed:
- abdominal pain;
- itching in the anal area;
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworms in humans) is manifested by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, the symptoms of infection may not be noticed for a long time.Then the signs of dysfunction of a certain organ appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for helminthic infestations?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or a therapist, who will issue a referral for an examination and prescribe treatment.Also, stomach worms require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnostics
Detection of helminths is carried out in several ways:
- Stool analysis and scraping for worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestines, so eggs or parts of the parasite's body can be found in feces or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, because helminths in feces can be detected only with a massive infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies to parasites.In the acute form of the infection, IgM is determined, and if the person already had parasitosis, or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.It detects antibodies against certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determination of helminthic infestation using a thermal imager or electromagnetic vibrations generated by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, CT of internal organs, and magnetic resonance of blood vessels are additionally prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
The diagnosis of parasitosis often causes a negative reaction in patients, which is why they even refuse treatment.So what to do if worms are found in your family members or you?
Today, the treatment of helminthic infestations in adults and children does not present any difficulties.There are a large number of drugs against parasites - broad-spectrum or highly specialized.
Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, much less try to remove worms from an adult or child yourself.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 its use.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following is recommended:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Medicines of a wide spectrum.
All types of worm medications only help to get rid of adult worms.Therefore, in order to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of therapy.
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 walnuts.It is infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 teaspoon at a time.once a day.
- Clove seeds.The chopped clove is taken on the tip of the knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
During the treatment of helminthic infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or to temporarily refuse to eat in order to enhance the effect of the therapy.And in order to accelerate the removal of toxins from the body, it is necessary to drink as much liquid as possible.
Ways of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- Groceries.The most common route of infection.Worm eggs can be carried in water or soil;they can easily become infected if they eat unwashed fruits, vegetables and berries.A huge number of parasites live in river fish and seafood, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene rules.You can get helminths everywhere: in public catering facilities, transport, shops, on the street, by contact with street and domestic animals.The only way of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact and housekeeping.This is how helminthic infestations spread in groups of children.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 with close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiasis is observing the rules of personal hygiene and careful food processing.
It is recommended that you undergo tests and examinations by a doctor once a year.If worms are not treated, a person's health can be seriously compromised.And with the invasion of some types of parasites there is a danger to life.