Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors continue to regard night grinding of teeth and indigestion as 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 genus of helminths that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may not cause visible harm to the host's 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 in humans:
- Round.These are roundworm, pinworm and whipworm.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine, clogging it.Pinworms are small roundworms 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 have a round 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 flat worms 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 suckers.
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 fully exist 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 mucous membrane, because to obtain food the parasites suck on or gnaw through the inner lining of the intestines.
For nutrition, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the intestines, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.The waste products of worms enter the intestinal lumen, and then into the human blood, which causes general intoxication.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of parasites 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 ground with feces, which, along with soil, vegetables, and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and necators.
- Biohelminths.For such parasites to grow and mature, they must remain permanently in the body of a mammal.The 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.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 argue about whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasites can survive in a healthy human body.If they remain, their number will be very limited, and they 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, which the body successfully copes with.
Thanks to natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome 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 to themselves, then worms in the intestines or liver can cause 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 with infection with bovine tapeworm or cat fluke.But most often, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of infection with worms are a weakened immune system, impaired digestion 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 they cause miscarriage or delayed development of the fetus.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic infestation, there are manifestations that are common to all types of infection and specific, 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 hypochondrium;
- a rash that periodically appears all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworm) the following are observed:
- stomach ache;
- 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 worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, no symptoms of infection may be observed for a long time.Then signs of dysfunction of a particular 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 therapist, who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.Also, worms in the stomach 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 body parts of 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 with massive infection.
- ELISA for helminthic infestation.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 already had parasitosis, or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detects antibodies to certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determining helminthic infestation using a thermal imager or electromagnetic vibrations created by parasites.But these methods are not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, CT of internal organs, and MRI of blood vessels are additionally prescribed.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
A 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, 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 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 its use.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following are suggested:
- Universal preparations for all types of parasites.
- The drugs are active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad-spectrum drugs.
All types of medications for worms only help get rid of adult worms.Therefore, 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 nut skins.It is infused in alcohol for 10-14 days and taken 1 tsp.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Chopped cloves are taken on the tip of a knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Diet
When treating helminthic infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy foods or temporarily refuse to eat to enhance the effect of therapy.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much fluid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- Foodstuffs.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 huge number of parasites live in river fish and seafood, raw meat and dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.You can catch helminths everywhere: in public catering places, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street and domestic animals.The only way of prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact and household.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 with close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiases is to observe the rules of personal hygiene and careful processing of food.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with your doctor annually.If worms are not treated, a person's health can be seriously affected.And with the invasion of some types of parasites, there is a risk to life.