Types of intestinal helminths, symptoms of the disease and methods of treatment

There are about 250 types of worms that pose a threat to the health of an adult. As a result of infection with parasitic worms, the disease helminthiasis develops. The vital activity of worms in the internal organs can cause severe allergies, hypovitaminosis, pancreatitis. All age groups of the population are susceptible to infection, but a higher rate of infection in children.

Most types of worms are inside the body, only there they lay eggs and die after a certain period of time.

Forms of parasitic worms and features of their development

Depending on the method of spread, the main groups of parasites are distinguished:

1. biological worms. In the process of going through the full development cycle, several owners change. These include tapeworms, nematodes, echinococci.
2. Geohelminths. Able to spread without intermediate hosts, but through soil. A person becomes infected by eating unwashed vegetables and fruits. Main representatives: roundworms, whipworms, etc.
3. Helminths transmitted by contact with an infected person. This group includes sedges and dwarfs.

There are more than 150 known species of helminths recorded in humans.

Parasites also differ in location in the body:

• tissue affect the internal organs and the tissues that make up their composition;
• Cavitarians live in the intestinal lumen, absorbing the nutrients needed by a person.

According to appearance, helminths are divided into 3 groups:

• roundworms;
• flatworms;
• flukes.

Methods of infection with helminths

In most cases, parasites enter the host organism in the following ways:

1. The larvae or eggs of the worms, along with feces, fall into the soil or water, infecting a person when he eats unwashed food or raw liquids. During the summer holidays, the likelihood of invasion through water bodies increases.
2. In contact with a sick person or common objects. This way of spreading is typical for sedges. At night, the female leaves the anus and lays eggs. This process causes severe itching, as a result of which the eggs remain on the hands and underwear. Subsequently, they are given to a healthy person.
3. Tapeworm infection occurs when raw and undercooked meat is consumed. Tapeworms of this species infect the muscle tissue of intermediate hosts, which include cattle and pigs.
4. Insects can carry worm eggs and larvae on their limbs, increasing the area of potential infestation.

The life cycle of the majority of parasites consists in the release of a huge number (millions) of eggs, which, penetrating the human body, after some time turn into larvae.

The development of the parasite in the human body can cause an acute and chronic form of the disease. The acute form is characterized by pronounced symptoms and lasts up to two months. Chronic infestation can be seen throughout a person's life if left untreated.

The main types of helminths that parasitize humans

Each form of microorganism is characterized by a lesion of a certain organ and the corresponding symptoms. However, all parasites are united by the method of obtaining nutrients - at the expense of the host organism. At the same time, a person's metabolism is disturbed, anemia and other types of diseases develop.

There are different forms of helminths:

1. Roundworms are large white nematodes up to 20 cm long. Adults live in the small intestine, and larvae can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. They belong to geohelminths, the infection occurs when eating unwashed vegetables, fruits and water. Parasite eggs also accumulate on the sand.
2. Pinworms are small worms that can be seen with the naked eye after a bowel movement. Distribution area - the lower part of the small intestine. Enterobiosis is formed under the influence of the parasite. The cause of infection is contact with an unhealthy person. It is very common in children under 14 years of age.
3. Tape helminths. These include beef and pork tapeworm, broad tapeworm. They are distinguished by the ability to increase the population at a rapid rate, thanks to hermaphroditism. Their body consists of many parts containing a reproductive system and thousands of eggs. Depending on the type of parasite, different diseases are formed. Localized in the small intestine, it damages the mucosa of the epithelium. They accumulate in the lumen of the intestine and can cause its obstruction. Infection occurs when eating insufficient beef, pork or fish.
4. Vlasoglav - a round worm that looks like hair with a thickened back. Due to the peculiarities of the structure, it penetrates the blood vessels and feeds on tissue fluid. Lack of treatment leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to infections and cancer. The source of infestation is unwashed products.

The insidiousness of helminthiasis consists in the fact that it successfully masks itself under other diseases.

The development of the parasite from an egg to a sexually mature individual occurs within three weeks. During this period, symptoms may be absent or manifest in a mild form. If left untreated, intensive reproduction of worms will lead to the fact that the disease becomes chronic.

Signs of disease with helminthic invasion

The main symptoms of worm infection are manifested in the form of:

• weakness and fatigue;
• bowel pains;
• constipation alternating with diarrhea;
• swelling of the face or whole body;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes, cough and suffocation;
• skin rashes that provoke itching;
• joint pain.

The topic of parasites is unpleasant and scary, so many myths have appeared about these harmful organisms.

The effects of worm infestation are often disguised as other diseases. The difference between the pathologies lies in the specific signs of disorders in the functioning of the body. Depending on the type of helminth, there may be:

• increased salivation, slight increase in temperature, urticaria with ascariasis;
• frequent urge to urinate, sleep disturbance, navel pain when infected with pinworms;
• nausea, vomiting, pallor of the skin, hypotension with tapeworm;
• yellowing of the sclera, vertigo, heaviness in the liver, pains all over the body when flukes invade.

Timely detection of worms with the help of tests and application of effective treatment is important.

The symptoms of helminthiasis directly depend on the type of parasite, its localization in the body and the intensity of the infection.

Methods of taking material for the detection of intestinal parasites

The main analysis that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of worms is the examination of feces. The material is delivered to the laboratory in a sterile container on the day of stool collection. The use of laxatives and the ingress of urine on the material is unacceptable. The stool container should be stored in a refrigerator at 4-5 degrees until sent to the laboratory.

In addition, the following tests may be prescribed:

• immunological test;
• blood and urine analysis;
• scraping from the vagina in women and girls;
• examination of sputum in the presence of cough;
• Ultrasound and endoscopy;
• bile analysis.

The ELISA blood test is an effective way to detect helminths in the body.

A person can become infected with one or several types of helminths. As a rule, the presence of individuals in the body is characterized by the absence of symptoms. An increase in the population of worms leads to severe damage to the internal organs, which is the cause of poor health. Symptoms of the disease worsen at night, which further affects the resistance of the parasite.

Methods of treatment of helminthic infestations

Specialized drugs affect different groups of helminths. The use of drugs is possible both in case of infection and for prevention. Prescribe drugs only after identifying the type of worm that has hit the body.

Adult roundworms and pinworms are killed with drugs containing mebendazole, which blocks the worm's ability to feed and reproduce.

Modern tablets from worms are divided into three groups depending on the sensitivity of the parasites to drugs.

Vlasoglav is affected by preparations containing mebendazole and albendazole. Preparations containing iron are necessary to eliminate the consequences of rectal prolapse.

The course of treatment is strictly prescribed by the attending physician. Self-administration of drugs is unacceptable due to various contraindications.

The use of traditional medicine

The most common remedy for worms is pumpkin seeds. They are consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, after grinding and adding honey. The recommended dose is about 300 grams per hour. After taking, it is necessary to clean the stomach with laxatives.

Various decoctions and infusions have proven their effectiveness:

• gorse;
• gentian yellow;
• immortal sandy;
• garlic.

Folk remedies for the treatment of worms in adults are recommended for preventive and therapeutic purposes.

A decoction of wormwood is recommended to be used as an enema. It is possible to use fresh grass juice mixed with alcohol. Carrots and their juice also destroy parasites.

Preventive measures against worms and their effectiveness

Clean hands are the most effective way to protect children and adults from any kind of parasitic infestation. The concept and rules of personal hygiene should be formed in children from an early age. A healthy lifestyle also helps reduce the likelihood of disease.

Purified or boiled water should be available around the clock to eliminate the possibility of drinking contaminated liquid. Vegetables and fruits are best washed with boiling water.

Care should be taken when working with animals. Pets need to be treated for a variety of parasites, both external and internal. Don't forget routine vaccinations for dogs and cats.

Vaccinations will minimize the risk of losing a family member to one of the common diseases.

It is possible to use prophylactic drugs prescribed by a doctor. Worm infection can progress to dangerous diseases, so it is important to minimize the risk of worms entering the human body.