Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to consider nighttime teeth grinding and indigestion as the first symptoms of helminths in humans.
Other experts believe that helminth infections are not dangerous and advise against taking any measures if parasites are detected.
Types of worms in humans
Medicine knows of more than 300 different types of parasites that can live in the human body.Worms are a type of worm belonging to the genus of parasitic helminths on the bodies of mammals (humans and animals).It may not cause obvious harm to the host body.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 types in humans:
- ring.These are roundworms, pinworms and whipworms.Large roundworms can be up to 10-40 cm long. They often accumulate in the small intestine, clogging the small intestine.Pinworms are small roundworms no more than 1 cm long.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach 4-5 cm in length.Worm eggs look different but most are round.
- ice.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long body (up to several meters) with a small head.Long and flat worms in humans can settle in the intestines, liver and other organs.This subspecies includes helminths with long, flat bodies and heads.They also have suction cups or suckers.
In addition to these species, 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 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.Once the worms initially settle in the intestines, they easily travel through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and visual organs.
Normally, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucous membrane, because to get food, the parasites suck or gnaw the inner lining of the intestines.
In terms of nutrition, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the intestines, the more nutrients they can extract from the host.Toxic poisoning occurs.Worm waste enters the intestinal lumen, then enters the human bloodstream, causing general poisoning.
Classify
Depending on the habitat of the parasite in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Earth worms.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Normally, parasite eggs fall to the ground with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables, and fruits, enter the new host's body.Geoworms include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and whipworms.
- Biological helminths.For such parasites to develop and mature, they must exist permanently in the mammalian 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 body, usually a warm-blooded animal or person.Such helminths include tapeworms, nematodes and echinococci.
- Contact helminths.Smallest group.Infection with this helminth occurs through direct contact with the owner or his personal belongings and clothing.Transmitted parasites include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often argue about whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.It is believed that no parasite can exist in a healthy human body.If they still exist, their numbers will be very limited and will not cause much harm.
This theory is confirmed by its supporters by the fact that every day a person encounters many pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms with which the body can successfully cope.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, humans can overcome helminths that have entered the digestive tract or on the skin.But if the infection is large and the parasites are in an environment favorable to them, then worms in the intestines or liver can cause many diseases.
The degree of body damage depends on the time the worm lives in the body.The length of stay of parasites depends on their type.Some of them leave the body after a reproductive cycle if humans are the intermediate host, such as with beef tapeworm or cat tapeworm infections.But usually, parasites exist in the human body for many years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakened immune system, poor digestion and a general weakening of the body, no longer able to cope with normal stress and other diseases.Worm infections are especially dangerous in children and women.Parasites hinder the growth and comprehensive development of children. In pregnant women, they cause miscarriage or fetal growth retardation.
Symptoms of worms
When infected with parasites, there are common symptoms in all types of infections and have specific characteristics of each species.
Common symptoms of worms in adults:
- increased body temperature to the level of mild fever for no apparent reason;
- abdominal pain, right lower quadrant;
- unstable stools;
- change in taste;
- losing weight;
- weakness, impaired performance, headache.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, abdominal pain and right hypochondrium;
- rashes periodically appear throughout the body;
- reduce appetite and lose weight.
With ascariasis (pinworms), the following are observed:
- stomach-ache;
- itching in the anal area;
- change in taste.
Diphyllobothrosis (long tapeworm in humans) manifests as:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdomen;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worms invade the liver, lungs or other internal organs, there may be no symptoms of infection for a long time.Then signs of dysfunction of a specific organ appear: cough, jaundice, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact if I have a helminth infection?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact your pediatrician or therapist, who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Additionally, stomach worms require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnose
Detection of helminths is done in several ways:
- Analyze stool and scrape for worm eggs.Most helminths live in the intestines, so parasite eggs or body parts can be found in stool or waste.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, since helminths in feces can be detected only when there is a massive infection.
- ELISA to detect helminth infections.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies to parasites.In the acute form of infection, IgM is determined, and if a person has been infected with parasites or the infection has become chronic, then IgG is present.
- Blood test.Detection of antibodies to some types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determining helminth infection using a thermal imager or electromagnetic vibrations produced by the parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, visceral CT and vascular MRI are additionally indicated.
Treatment of helminth infections
Diagnosis of parasites often causes negative reactions in patients, which is why they even refuse treatment.So what to do if you detect worms in your family or friends?
Today, the treatment of helminth infections in adults and children does not present any difficulties.There are a large number of antiparasitic drugs - broad-spectrum or highly specialized.
In no case should you self-medicate, much less try to remove worms from an adult or child yourself.Each drug has its own level of toxicity and can cause poisoning in the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the drug and the appropriate regimen for its use.
Drug treatment
To remove worms, the following are suggested:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drug is effective against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad-spectrum medicine.
All heartworm medications help eliminate adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy the larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of treatment.
Traditional method
To get rid of worms, there are the following recipes:
- Mugwort powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green seed pods.It is soaked in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 teaspoon.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Chopped cloves are taken on the tip of a knife.The treatment course lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
When treating helminth infections, do not eat heavy foods or temporarily do not eat to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.
Path of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of helminth infection:
- Food.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 seafood, raw meat and unheated dairy products.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public eating places, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with the street and domestic pets.The only way to prevent is still personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact and household.This is how helminths are spread among groups of children.It is also possible to infect members of the same household by sharing towels, bed sheets or clothing.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?This happens rarely, but when in close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases many times.The only way to prevent helminthiasis is to observe the rules of personal hygiene and carefully prepare food.
It is recommended to undergo tests and check-ups with your doctor every year.If worms are not treated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of certain types of parasites, there is a life-threatening risk.