Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body and harm its health, and the diseases they cause are helminthosis. Now more than 300 species of these parasites have been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but mainly in areas with a warm and humid climate. The risk group for them includes children aged 5-15. They often contain roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get acquainted with the outside world, low immunity to helminths, as well as insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestines.
Eggs and worm larvae enter the human body through the integumentary tissue when they are ingested with water and food. Larvae form in the digestive tract from mature eggs. It enters the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and is transported to the liver, gall bladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. In the process of coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms fall back into the human intestines. There they will be able to give birth after 70-75 days.
It takes up to 3 months from the damage of eggs or larvae to the appearance of adult helminths - the early stage of the disease. The late stage begins when adults are formed. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which are passed into the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (nematodes) - roundworms, corn worms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes) - pork tapeworm, tapeworm.
- Flukes (trematodes) - lung and liver hemorrhages, cats.
Also, helminths differ in their development and infection characteristics:
Geohelminthoses. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body if unwashed fruits and personal hygiene are not observed.
Biohelminthosis. This type of worms has an intermediate host - dogs, fish and crustaceans. The defeat of humans, the ultimate host of parasites, is due to the consumption of poor quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often, worm eggs are carried on the paws and fur of pets that are brought into the house or left outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, a person forgot to wash his hands after leaving the house, toilet or before eating.
The risk of helminthosis increases if you have a habit of sucking fingers, biting nails, holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
Poor quality washing of plant products causes great damage to health.
Helminthosis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as when washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthosis can be fish or meat if the technology of their preparation is violated. If beef is undercooked, you can get bovine tapeworm, if fish is undercooked, tapeworm infection is possible, and if pork is undercooked, the risk of pork is high.
Worms can also be found indoors if it is rarely cleaned of moisture and people walk on it without taking off their open shoes.
Helminthosis can be transmitted from a sick person through bedding, dishes or close contact.
The causes of the disease are related to violations of hygiene rules, improper care of domestic cats and dogs, and non-observance of food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, the probability of infection with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthoses are acute and chronic. The first causes an allergic reaction. The patient's complaints show signs of allergy and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- skin itching and rash;
- shortness of breath;
- cough without sputum;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased gas formation in the intestines.
In the case of chronic infection by helminths, the manifestations are different and are associated with the location of the worms, their number and the response characteristics of the human body's immunity. 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;
- lose weight;
- perianal itching;
- the presence of worm fragments in the feces.
In addition, there may be disturbances in the work 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 penetrate the lungs, bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who have been repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls from vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (grinding of the teeth at night). With helminthosis, the nervous system suffers - a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance to physical activity, and sleep disorders.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungus, pustular skin diseases, caries are added, allergies and accompanying diseases are more severe.
If the treatment of helminthosis is not carried out in time, the parasite larvae damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the patient's condition and well-being.
The products secreted by the larvae during their life poison the human body. They cause local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on the proteins, minerals and vitamins of the human body. In children, it can cause developmental delay. Whipworms and whipworms feed on the blood of their host, i. e. humans, causing anemia.
In the case of massive reproduction of worms in the human body, it is possible to disrupt the intestinal microflora and not completely close the lumen of the intestines and bile ducts. It is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.
When to go to the doctor
Helminthosis should be treated immediately. In the human body, worms prevent the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. They secrete harmful nutrients into the digestive system. Without treatment, worms can invade the brain, lungs, and other organs.
If you have the following symptoms of pathology, it is recommended to consult a qualified gastroenterologist:
- lethargy, weakness;
- allergic reaction, for example, skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- a person eats too much or too little;
- nausea and vomiting appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- poor sleep;
- increase in body temperature;
- pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- enlargement of lymph nodes, inflammation;
- bruxism;
- worms in feces;
- itching in the perianal region.
If helminthic infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are felt. The listed organs can be enlarged.
In the case of helminthosis, a general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and an increase in ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected 3 months after the beginning, when helminths turn into sexually mature individuals. Laboratory tests are indicated to monitor the effectiveness of diagnosis and therapy:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- coprogram.
For examination and diagnosis, sputum, urine, vomit, contents of the duodenum and pieces of skin are used as material.
Allergy tests are performed to identify intestinal helminthic diseases. Changes in internal organs are detected using:
- 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. In order to detect them, it is important to take material for research during the breeding season 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. It is also difficult to make a diagnosis considering the various clinical signs. Often, experts prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A common folk remedy for treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitins, which have a negative effect on the vital activity of helminths. However, it will not be possible to completely cure yourself of parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you don't see a doctor or get checked, complications can occur because worms multiply rapidly. They are especially dangerous when they affect internal organs and the brain.
How to get rid of worms - traditional medicine can be used in addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Tansy infusion
Wormwood infusion
To prepare the infusion, dried wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant material are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and kept in a thermos for 6-8 hours. Then the infusion should be filtered. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
clove infusion. 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. A mixed infusion is effective against worms.
To prepare it, pour 500 ml of water into 30 g of bud and wait for the product to cool completely. Take 1 cup orally before breakfast.
tincture of cloves. Pour 30 g of bud into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). Infuse the liquid in the dark for 2-3 weeks, then strain. 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. They should be instilled in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, after contact with animals, after using the toilet and before eating.
- Wash fruits and herbs thoroughly with water and rinse with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood must be thermally processed for a long time.
- Use high quality and safe water for domestic purposes.
- You should use hygiene products, personal dishes, towels and linens.
- You can use boiled, filtered water for drinking.
- In closed areas, you should regularly wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floors.
- Floors should be washed with detergent once every 2 weeks.
How to remove worms - it is recommended to prevent helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents in spring and autumn. Pets should also be subject to periodic anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthosis are violated, all family members can become infected.