Worms rather than parasitic worms that are harmful to humans

According to WHO, every second person on the planet is infected with worms every year. Many people think that parasitic worms do little harm to health. However, not everything is so simple: worms can affect important internal organs: the heart, lungs and brain.

Helminth - who are they?

Worms are parasitic worms that can choose human, animal, or plant organisms as hosts. In total there are three classes of worms:

• Tapeworm. This class includes about 3, 5 thousand species of worms. Parasitic worms vary in length from a few mm to 10-15 meters;
• accidental.Parasites are so named because they have suckers which they use to obtain food. The human body can infect about 4 dozen species of worms. As a rule, the length of the worm does not exceed 5 cm;
• roundworm.This class of worms has more than 24 thousand species. Spindle-shaped roundworm. Usually the length is not more than 0. 5 meters.

You can become infected with worms in a number of ways. However, parasitic invasion occurs most often for the following reasons:

1. Poor hand hygiene.
2. Unwashed vegetables, fruits; meat, undercooked or undercooked fish - the use of such products increases the risk of parasitic invasion many times over.
3. Keep food outside the refrigerator open. Insects can transfer worm eggs to products stored without packaging.
4. Contact with pets.

The main symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• weight loss;
• allergic rash;
• bloating;
• itching in the anus;
• grit your teeth in a dream.

Learn more about the signs of parasites in the bodyread our article.

What worms are most often found in our country? Consider the most common types of parasitic worms and the diseases they cause.

Tapeworm

The body of the tapeworm consists of segments, the total number of which ranges from 3 to 5000. The main element of fixation of the worm is the head, additional ones are suction cups, hooks.

The most common causes of tapeworms are:

Diphyllobothriasis

The causative agent of this disease is a broad tapeworm that affects the human intestine.The development of worm eggs occurs in fresh water. The scheme for introducing tapeworms into the human body is as follows:

1. Worm eggs are swallowed by crustaceans living in the reservoir.
2. Infected crustaceans are eaten by fish.
3. A person becomes infected with the parasite by eating fish that has been subjected to inadequate heat treatment.

Symptoms of the disease develop 1. 5 months after infection. The main sign of pathology is the presence of whitish fragments of worms in the feces.

Adhering to the intestinal mucosa, tapeworms absorb large amounts of vitamin B12. For this reason, people with diphyllobothriasis often develop anemia. In addition, tapeworms can cause an increase in the liver, spleen, intestinal obstruction.

Teniarinhoz

The causative agent of this disease is the bovine tapeworm, which mainly lives in the small intestine of humans. During its development cycle, the worm replaces two owners: the middleman is the cow, the main one is the human. Bull tapeworms can live in the body for 20 years, multiply and cause health problems. This disease is common in many areas, but is most common in cold areas.

As a rule, people get taeniarhynchosis after eating undercooked or undercooked beef.

This disease often progresses without obvious symptoms and is detected incidentally when a person sees the elements of worms in his feces. In some people, in addition to the main signs of helminthic infection, pain may occur on the right side of the anterior abdominal wall.

Adult worms are able to penetrate the appendix, pancreatic duct, bile duct, provoke an acute inflammatory process in them. With multiple parasitic invasions, intestinal obstruction may occur.

teniasis

The causative agent of the disease is the pork tapeworm, which initially affects the human small intestine.Infection in humans occurs through consumption of raw or improperly cooked pork.

The parasite can penetrate into various organs and tissues, causing pain in the abdomen, back, and limbs. The most favorable pathology occurs when the worm is localized in the subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle tissue. When penetrating into the eye muscles, the worm causes a decrease in visual acuity, lacrimation and photophobia. The brain defeat of the pork tapeworm can be fatal.

accidental

Worms have a leaf-like shape and are distinguished by a high ability to reproduce at various periods of the life cycle. Reproduction of worms is possible not only sexually with fertilization, but also without it. In addition to suckers, worms have many hooks and spikes, due to which they are tightly attached to the mucous membranes of organs.

Common pathologies caused by worms:

• fasciolosis;
• opisthorchiasis;
• paragonimiasis.

Fascioliasis

Fascioliasis occurs when the liver or gallbladder is damaged by liver flukes.Basically, infection occurs when eating vegetables, which are irrigated with water from an open reservoir.

In addition to the standard signs of a parasitic infection, a person may have an asthma attack, which is accompanied by shortness of breath, facial flushing, dilated pupils, and tachycardia. If an adult has caused a blockage of the bile duct, then obstructive jaundice develops. Pathological signs:

• cramping pain in the right hypochondrium;
• yellowing of the skin;
• fever;
• colorless dirt.

Opisthorchiasis

The causative agent of this disease is the cat fluke. The name of this parasite because in addition to humans, this parasite also often infects cats and other mammals that eat fish.

As a rule, cat coincidences affect the liver and pancreas, causing inflammation of the organs. Symptoms vary and depend on the number of parasites. Patients may experience:

• symptoms of poisoning;
• fever,
• itchy rash;
• itchy skin;
• pain in muscles, joints, right hypochondrium.

In some cases, worms cause an increase in lymph nodes, the development of jaundice. Chronic forms of pathology often lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver.

Paragonimiasis

The cause of this disease is lung worms that enter the human body with infected crustaceans.

First, the parasite enters the human intestine, then into the abdominal cavity. The end point of its journey is lung tissue. In addition, the worms are able to penetrate the brain and affect the central nervous system.

Specific signs of parasitic invasion of the lungs:

• pain syndrome in the chest;
• cough with phlegm, which may contain pus and blood;
• fever.

In some cases, worms cause a violation of the ventilation function of the lungs and gas exchange when breathing.

roundworm

Due to their structure, roundworms (nematodes) are able to survive even in extreme conditions.Their body is covered with a three-layered skin-muscle sac, which reliably protects the parasite from external influences.

Common diseases caused by nematodes:

• ascariasis;
• enterobiasis;
• trichinosis.

Ascariasis

The development of the disease provokes roundworms, which initially settle in the small intestine. The average length of an adult is 40 cm.Parasite larvae can enter the human digestive system with unwashed vegetables and fruits, contaminated water.Also, often the cause of ascariasis is poor hand washing before eating.

During the penetration of the larvae into the body, a person may experience a subfebrile temperature, allergic rash, cough with clear sputum. Signs of the intestinal stage of ascariasis (diarrhea, abdominal pain) are observed only in the presence of some parasites. As a rule, living in the intestines of one worm is asymptomatic.

Complications with multiple parasitic invasion:

• bile duct blockage;
• purulent inflammatory processes in the gallbladder, liver;
• appendicitis;
• intestinal obstruction.

Enterobiasis

The provocateurs of this disease are pinworms - small worms up to 1 cm long.Worms penetrate the human digestive system in the same way as roundworms.

Currently, enterobiasis is the most common parasitic pathology in the world. Basically, the disease is diagnosed in children under the age of 10.

Symptoms, as in the previous case, develop only with multiple parasitic invasions. Children often experience diarrhea, slimy stools, difficult and painful digestion, itching in the anus, and nausea. In severe cases of the disease, leg cramps may occur. In addition, pinworms are able to penetrate into the genitals, causing acute inflammation in them.

trichinosis

This disease provokes Trichinella - one of the smallest parasitic worms. The length of the parasite rarely exceeds 4 mm. In the larval stage, the worms can infect skeletal muscles. The exception is the myocardium - the muscle tissue of the heart. Adults are parasites in the small intestine.

As a rule, human infection occurs when eating undercooked pork.At the same time, for the development of the disease, it is enough to consume only 30 g of meat affected by the parasite.

Pathology is manifested by standard symptoms of parasitic invasion. In advanced stages, swelling of the eyelids, face, arms and legs, pain in the lower back, muscles of mastication may occur. Possible complications are complete or partial loss of mobility, paralysis of the respiratory tract.

How to avoid worm infection?

To reduce the risk of infection with parasitic worms, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

18 signs of parasites in the body

Present in the human body, parasites have a serious pathogenic effect. At the same time, the same parasite can simultaneously produce multiple mechanisms of action in humans.

WHO believes that currently about four and a half billion people in the world are constantly exposed to various parasitosis.

This problem is also very topical because it is very difficult to diagnose parasitosis. Worm infestations (a large collection of parasitic diseases) are present in humans even when the parasites have left. And if the patient has noticed this, then in this case he will, of course, come to the medical facility. Parasitosis can also be detected during preventive screening. But sadly, these cases are a drop in the ocean.

Mechanism of action:

mechanical impact.For example, if the roundworm is in the intestine, of course it will press and injure the intestinal wall. In some cases, it causes an inflammatory process. If, for example, the echinococcus is located in the liver, in the lungs, or in the kidneys, tissue compression will occur. These are classic mechanical effects: explosion, pressure, dysfunction of the organ or system in which the parasite resides. There are many not only luminal parasites present in the digestive tract, but there are also many tissue parasites that can fully manifest the so-called mechanical action.

Stimulation of allergic reactions.Unfortunately, when a person has an allergic reaction, it starts to go round and round: to a dermatologist, to a pediatrician, to a general practitioner, to an allergist, but doctors do not always rule out the presence of parasitic invasion into the body in the first place.

Any parasites, even superficial pinworms, can cause the formation of a serious allergic reaction, and they can vary, both on the skin and affecting the bronchopulmonary tree. For example, obstructive bronchitis that often occurs in children may be due to the fact that certain types of parasites live in the intestines.

Influence on microflora.It's no secret that humans are the world for the vast world of microbiota. The microflora that inhabit all our mucous membranes, skin, organs, tissues is a friendly microflora that produces vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes for us, and helps our bodies to live normally. And now, unfortunately, in the presence of parasites, it begins to actively die.

immunosuppressive action.Today it is clearly evident that the waste products of parasites dramatically inhibit the immune system. They just blocked it. In addition, parasites over millions of years have learned to mimic and hide from the immune system, producing special anti-enzymes. This blocks the immune system, and sometimes a person can suffer from various parasitosis for decades. Which sooner or later cause serious illness in the body as a whole, or in separate organs or systems.

Antienzyme effect. Unfortunately, parasites can not only deplete our bodies. If we try to eat foods with vitamins, minerals, take vitamins and minerals in a complex, it will not always benefit us, because our freeloader will take the lion's share.

Mechanism of action of neural reflexes.The waste products of the parasite poison the nervous system. And very often this can affect the psycho-emotional state of both adults and children. Any psychosomatic disease can be associated with parasitic invasion. A child may experience hyperreactivity, or vice versa, lethargy, tears, a tendency to depression - all this may be a consequence of the presence of parasites in the body. For example, even the simplest Giardia produces poison. Let it be in micro doses, but still a toxin that is identical to psychotropic substances. Of course, a child or adult with such persistent poisoning will experience serious stress on the functioning of the central nervous system. And from here all kinds of psychological and mental disorders can follow: sleep disorders, nervous disorders, various psychological problems. What's more, not his parents, not his own patients, if he is an adult, the idea that this is due to the invasion of parasites can't even come up.

In my opinion, the most serious and terrible thing is the stimulation of neoplasms by parasites. The prolonged presence of parasitosis in the body can provoke such a problem as the formation of neoplasms: benign and malignant. In addition, neoplasm stimulation can be attributed to two factors.

The first factor is the direct damaging effect of certain organ tissues.

The second factor is action mediated through a sharp inhibition of the immune system. The problem is that the part of the immune system that is responsible for antiparasitic protection is also responsible for antitumor protection. Due to improper division, cancer cells can appear in the human body. In this case, the deficiency of the immune system will manifest itself in such a way that this cell will not be recognized by our immune cells in time, and will not be killed in time.

When can one suspect parasites?

Now I will tell you a list of clinical manifestations of parasitic invasion, for which you should immediately contact your doctor to clarify whether you really have this diagnosis.

• The most common clinical symptom is anal itching. This is widely heard by people, so it is associated with the presence of parasites, especially in children's practices.
• Grinding teeth in a dream. Again, very often this can happen in pediatric practice. Moms suddenly noticed that the child started grinding his teeth in his sleep. Why this happened? Very often, squeaks in children are associated with frightening dreams. This is the mechanism of the effect of the poison on the central nervous system that we are talking about. The boy had a bad dream and he gritted his teeth in fear in his sleep. This is one of the reasons. There is also another reason. Trismus formation or increased masticatory muscle tone, this can also be a symptom in this case.
• Drooling while sleeping, drooling in the morning, nausea in the morning when brushing your teeth. These are all manifestations that can indirectly indicate the presence of parasitic invasion in the body.
• Peel the fingers and toes, peeling the skin in layers.
• Increased hunger, sometimes to the point of fainting.
• Allergic rash on the skin. When lecturing doctors, I very often draw attention to the fact that doctors are not in a hurry to administer antiallergic drugs to one or another patient. Understand first until the end - whether there is a worm invasion. Due to the high degree of allergy, suddenly appearing in a person in a short time, can indicate, first of all, that the patient has parasitic invasion.
• Rash on the eyelids, peeling, swelling. , mental disorders with no known cause.
• Any itchy skin. Especially in children's practice. First of all, it is necessary to exclude the presence of parasitic invasion.
• Distracted by symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, unstable stools. Any problems with the digestive tract.
• There is underweight, or vice versa, overweight. With parasitosis, it can be both.
• The presence of several chronic diseases at the same time. Diseases of the joints, bronchopulmonary tree, gastrointestinal tract. If suddenly a person starts getting sick gradually, then one, then the second, then the third, then the fifth, then the tenth, and initially there is no apparent reason for this, then this is an opportunity to think about his presence. parasites in the body.
• Health is poor, and the diagnosis is unclear. Such a patient can also go to various specialists, try to examine one or the other. And in the end, the diagnosis will remain unclear, and his health condition will remain poor.
• Incomprehensible, volatile abdominal pain, sudden spasms, drawing pains. It is also important to exclude, especially in pediatric practice, the presence of parasites.
• Prolonged toxic allergic manifestations. Appears periodically suddenly, incomprehensible allergic reaction to food.
• Persistent anemia. When the hemoglobin is significantly reduced and difficult to repair. It is worth thinking, first of all, about the presence of parasitic invasions in the human body.
• In children: lagging in physical development, psychosomatic, psychoemotional, hyperreactivity, or vice versa, lethargy, in schoolchildren, poor assimilation of material - all this can indicate the presence of hidden parasitosis in the body.
• Prolonged lymphadenopathy (a condition manifested by an increase in lymph nodes), recurrent lymphadenitis may also indicate the presence of parasitic invasion.

I have listed the main clinical signs of parasitosis. Notice how wide they are. And with these symptoms, a patient can turn to almost any doctor. It is believed that if a person has found two or three such signs in himself, then he has undergone a more thorough examination for the presence of parasitosis, or an antiparasitic program.

During the consultation, you will be able to voice your concerns, the doctor will clarify the situation, outline the tests, answer your questions and give the necessary recommendations.

I want to attract the attention of people who want to be treated alone. If you come to the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist: "Give me something for the worms, " then you are making a big mistake - these things cannot be done. First, the pharmacist is not responsible for how you take this medicine. Second, not responsible for the consequences. Third, you can seriously hurt yourself. Do not do it. To find out whether you have a parasitic infection or not, it is very important to contact a specialist, go through a certain list of studies, and only after that undergo adequate treatment.

What tests will show the presence of parasites in the human body?

According to WHO statistics, about 4. 5 billion people in the world are constantly infected with parasites. The situation is complicated by the fact that diagnosing parasitic infestations is extremely difficult. How to find out if there are parasites in the body? What laboratory and instrumental research methods can detect parasitosis? Let us consider these questions in detail.

Complications

Helminthiasis caused by a common type of parasite can be treated with medication prescribed by a doctor. But if you do not pay attention to worrying symptoms, deterioration of health, weakness, unexplained fatigue, decreased immunity, this disease can lead to serious complications.

If the parasite gets into the lungs, and the patient does not go to the doctor with complaints of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, shortness of breath, pneumonia or even bronchial asthma can develop.

Parasites in the digestive system can cause cirrhosis, liver abscess, hepatitis, colon cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites), and peritonitis. They also often provoke the development of chronic kidney disease, meningoencephalitis, loss of vision. Some cestodes (tapeworms) grow to more than 1 meter in length, and small roundworms can form solid balls. It interferes with the normal functioning of the body, causes severe poisoning, a pronounced allergic reaction. Without urgent medical attention, death is possible.

Prevention

Helminthiasis often occurs when hygiene rules are not followed or food is not processed properly. To prevent the invasion of worms, you need:

• Don't wear other people's underwear, don't share towels with strangers.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating - it is important to do this not only before breakfast, lunch, dinner, but also snacks.
• Wash hands after using the toilet.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after working on the bed, and do all gardening with thick rubber gloves.
• Use only clean water for drinking and cooking.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.
• Eat meat, fish, seafood that has been heat treated.
• Do not buy products in spontaneous markets, from individuals who cannot ensure the safety of the goods.
• Monitor the health of the pet, treat it regularly for deworming, even if the pet lives in the apartment and does not go out. To select a drug and calculate the dose, contact your veterinarian.
• Maintain cleanliness in the residence and work area. Sometimes people carry worm eggs in the soles of their shoes. To reduce the risk of infection, you need to carry out regular wet cleaning, disinfecting all surfaces.

Even following these rules, the risk of infection cannot be completely eliminated. To prevent the development of the disease, consult a therapist. The doctor will prescribe medication for the prevention of worms. Be sure to tell us how often you travel, whether there are pets in the house, personal plots. Helminthiasis prophylactic drugs are recommended to be carried out 2 times a year.