Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body, causing harm to his health, and the diseases caused by them are helminthiasis. More than 300 species of these parasites have already been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but mostly in areas with a warm and humid climate. The risk group for them includes children aged 5-15 years. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get acquainted with the outside world, low immunity against helminths, as well as insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestine.
They enter the human body through the integumentary tissue when they swallow eggs, larvae of worms with water and food. Mature eggs develop into larvae in the digestive tract. They enter the blood through the intestinal lining and are carried to the liver, gall bladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. In the process of coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms again end up in the intestines of a person. There after 70-75 days they will be able to reproduce.
From damage by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths lasts up to 3 months - the early stage of the disease. From the moment the adult is formed, the late stage begins. The worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and there they lay eggs, which pass into the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (nematodes) - roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes) - pig tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Flukes (trematodes) - lung and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiasis differs in the characteristics of development and infection:
Geohelminthiasis. Parasite eggs are found in the ground and enter the human body with unwashed fruits and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host - dogs, fish and shellfish. The defeat of humans, who are the final host of the parasites, is associated with the consumption of low-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often, worm eggs are carried into the house on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or let outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. For example, a person forgot to wash his hands after leaving the house, the toilet or before eating.
The risk of helminthiasis increases if you have a habit of sucking fingers, biting nails or holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
Bad washing of vegetable products causes great harm to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as when washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat, if the technology for their preparation is violated. If beef is not properly cooked, you can contract beef tapeworm; if the fish is poorly processed, then infection with broad tapeworm is possible; if the pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of pork tapeworm infection.
Worms can also be found indoors if wet cleaning is rarely done and people walk on it without removing their outdoor shoes.
Helminthiasis can be transmitted from a sick person through bedding, dishes or close contact.
The causes of morbidity are related to violation of hygiene rules, poor care of domestic cats and dogs, and poor food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, then the probability of infection with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiasis are acute and chronic. The first lead to an allergic reaction. The patient's complaints show signs of allergy and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- skin itching and rash;
- dyspnea;
- cough without sputum;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased formation of gas in the intestines.
In the case of chronic infection with helminths, the manifestations are diverse and are related to the location of the worms, their number and the characteristics of the immune response of the human body. The most common symptoms of worms are:
- weakness, increased fatigue;
- increased body temperature;
- darkening of the skin under the eyes;
- hives;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea, vomiting;
- bad breath;
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss;
- perianal itching;
- presence of fragments of worms in the feces.
In addition, there may be disturbances in the functioning of organs affected by helminths. For example, when parasites are in the liver or gall bladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and yellowing of the skin are characteristic. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, then bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls have vulvovaginitis.
Bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding) is a characteristic symptom. With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers - a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance to physical activity and disturbed sleep.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungal, purulent skin diseases are added, caries, allergies and concomitant diseases are more severe.
If helminthiasis is not treated promptly, the larvae of the parasite will damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the condition and well-being of the patient.
The products that the larvae release during their life poison the human body. They provoke local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on proteins, minerals and vitamins of the human body. In children, this can lead to developmental delays. Hookworms and worms feed on the blood of the host, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of massive reproduction of worms in the human body, disruption of the intestinal microflora and incomplete closure of the lumen of the intestines and bile ducts is possible. This is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.
When to see a doctor
Helminthiasis should be treated immediately. In the human body, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. They excrete foods that are harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, the worms can invade the brain, lungs, and other organs.
It is recommended to make an appointment with a qualified gastroenterologist if you have the following signs of pathology:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reaction, for example skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- one eats much or little;
- nausea and vomiting appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- bad sleep;
- increase in body temperature;
- muscle and joint pain without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in stool;
- itching in the perianal area.
If a helminthic invasion is suspected, then the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are felt. The listed authorities can be enlarged.
In helminthiasis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and increased ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected after 3 months from the beginning, when the helminths become sexually mature individuals. Laboratory tests are indicated for diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- co-program.
Sputum, urine, vomit, contents of the duodenum and pieces of skin are used as material for research and diagnosis.
Allergy tests are conducted to identify intestinal helminthic diseases. Changes in internal organs are detected with the help of:
- X-ray of the lungs.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver.
- Computed tomography of internal organs.
- Colonoscopy.
- Esophagogastroscopy.
Sometimes it is not easy to identify helminthiasis in humans, because the worms lay eggs irregularly. To find them, it is important to take material for research during the breeding period of helminths. Antibodies against worms are detected in the blood 2 months after infection. Then they are not detected in the bloodstream, but accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often, specialists prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A widely known folk method for treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitins, which negatively affect the vital activity of helminths. However, with pumpkin seeds alone, it will not be possible to completely cure yourself of parasites. If you don't go to the doctor or get checked, you can get complications because the worms multiply quickly. They are especially dangerous when affecting the internal organs and the brain.
How to get rid of worms - traditional medicine can be used in addition to treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Infusion of tansy
Wormwood infusion
To prepare the tincture, dry wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant material are poured with 300 ml of boiling water and left in a thermos for 6-8 hours. After that, the infusion should be filtered. Take it 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Infusion of cloves. This spice is widely used in folk medicine. The dried buds of this plant improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion and increase immunity. Clove decoction is effective against worms.
To prepare it, pour 500 ml of water into 30 g of buds and wait for the product to cool completely. Take 1 cup orally before breakfast.
Tincture of cloves. Pour 30 g of buds into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). The liquid is insisted in the dark for 2-3 weeks, after which it is filtered. Take 1 teaspoon of tincture before meals for 2-4 weeks.
Prevention
To prevent worms in adults, it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is also necessary to instill them in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, contact with animals, using the toilet and before eating.
- Rinse the fruits and herbs well with water and rinse them with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood must be heat-treated for a long time.
- Use high quality and safe water for domestic purposes.
- It is necessary to use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and bed linen.
- For drinking, you can use boiled, filtered water.
- Indoors, you should regularly wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and wash floors.
- Once every 2 weeks you should wash the floors with detergent.
How to remove worms - prevention of helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintics is recommended in spring and autumn. Pets should also undergo periodic anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are followed, all family members can become infected.