Worms remain one of the most controversial topics in medicine.Some doctors still consider nighttime teeth grinding and indigestion as the first symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that helminth 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 different parasites that can live in the human body.A worm is a worm of the helminth genus that parasitizes the body of mammals (humans and animals).It may cause no 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 roundworms, pinworms and whipworms.Large roundworms can reach 10-40 cm in length, they often accumulate in the small intestine, clogging it.Pinworms are small round worms no more than 1 cm long. Whipworms parasitize 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 flukes with a flat, long body and head.They also have suction ducts or suction cups.
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 body of the host, high reproductive function and the ability to spread in the body.
Where do they live?
To understand why worms are harmful, you need to know their type and location in the body.When the worms are initially located in the intestines, they easily pass through the blood, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, helminths settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucosa, as the parasites suck or gnaw through the inner lining of the intestine to obtain food.
For nutrition, they constantly need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the gut, the more nutrients are taken from the host.Toxin poisoning occurs.The waste products of the worms enter the intestinal lumen, and then into the human blood, which causes general intoxication.
Classification
Depending on the habitat of the parasites in nature, the following types of worms in humans are distinguished:
- Geohelminths.Part of the life cycle takes place in the soil.Usually, the eggs of the parasites fall into the ground with the feces, which, together with soil, vegetables and fruits, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and hookworms.
- Biohelminths.In order 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.In order to mature and reproduce, the worms must enter a new organism, usually a warm-blooded animal or human.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 clothes.Transmissible parasites include pinworms and midges.
Why are worms harmful?
Doctors often debate whether and how dangerous worms are.There is an opinion that no parasites can survive in a healthy human body.If they remain, their numbers 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 that 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 a favorable environment, 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 cycle of reproduction if a 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 infestation 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 fetal development.
Symptoms of worms
In case of parasitic invasion, there are manifestations that are common to all types of infections 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, decreased performance, headache.
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 enterobiosis (pinworm), the following is observed:
- abdominal pain;
- itching in the anal area;
- change in appetite.
Diphyllobothriosis (long tapeworms in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, symptoms of infection may not be observed for a long time.After that, signs of dysfunction of a certain organ appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I see for helminth 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, worms in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnosis
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 be detected only in case of massive infection.
- ELISA for helminth invasion.The enzyme immunoassay method allows you to detect antibodies against parasites.In an 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: determination of helminth infestation using a thermal imaging camera 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
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.
In no case 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.
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.
- Broad spectrum drugs.
All types of worming drugs help to get rid of only 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.
- Shells of green nuts.Steep in alcohol for 10-14 days and take 1 tsp.once a day.
- Clove seeds.Cut cloves are taken at the tip of the knife.The course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.
diet
In the treatment of helminth infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy food or to temporarily refuse to eat in order to improve the effect of the therapy.And to speed up the removal of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main methods of infection with helminthiasis:
- food products.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.
- Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.You can catch helminths everywhere: in catering establishments, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street and domestic animals.The only prevention remains personal hygiene and monitoring the condition of pets.
- Contact-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 in close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting others increases several times.The only prevention of helminthiasis is compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and careful food processing.
It is recommended that you 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.