Worms are still one of the most controversial topics in the world of medicine.Some doctors still consider nighttime teeth grinding and indigestion as early symptoms of worms in humans.
Other experts believe that worm infestation is harmless and advise against taking any action 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.Worms are worms from the genus of worms that parasitize the bodies of mammals (humans and animals).It may not cause any visible damage to the host's body.But in some cases, it leads to the development of serious pathologies.
What do worms look like?Depending on the type of worm, in humans there are two:
- Round.These are roundworms, pinworms and whipworms.Large roundworms can reach a length of 10-40 cm, often accumulate in the small intestine, blocking it.Pinworms are small roundworms that are no more than 1 cm long.Whipworms parasitize the large intestine and reach 4-5 cm in length.Worm eggs have different shapes, but almost all are round.
- Tape.These worms include tapeworms and tapeworms.They are characterized by a long body (up to several meters) 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 long, flat body and head.They also have suction grooves or suckers.
In addition to these varieties, the body is parasitized by Giardia and protozoa, which affect the liver and small intestine.All types of parasites are characterized by the inability to live completely 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 dangerous, you need to know their type and location in the body.When worms are first discovered in the intestines, they easily spread through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, liver, brain and organs of vision.
Most often, worms settle in the intestines.There they damage the mucous membrane, because to obtain food the parasites suck or gnaw at the inner lining of the intestine.
For nutrition, they always need digested food or blood.The more parasites there are in the intestine, the more nutrients they take from their host.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:
- Geohelminth.Part of the life cycle occurs in the soil.Usually parasite eggs fall to the ground with feces, which, together with soil, vegetables and fruit, enter the body of the new host.Geohelminths include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and nekator.
- Biohelminth.In order for these parasites to grow and mature, they must remain in the mammal's body permanently.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 human.These worms include tapeworms, nematodes, and echinococci.
- Contact worms.Smallest group.Transmission of this worm occurs through direct contact with the owner or his personal items and clothing.Parasites that can be transmitted include pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
Why are worms dangerous?
Doctors often argue about whether worms are dangerous and how dangerous they are.There is an opinion that no parasite can survive in a healthy human body.If they remain, the numbers will be very limited and will not cause much harm.
This theory is supported by its supporters by the fact that every day a person is faced with many pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms with which the body successfully copes.
Thanks to its natural defense mechanisms, a person can overcome worms that enter the digestive tract or on the skin.But if the infection is very large, and the parasite is in a favorable environment for itself, 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 the type.Some of them leave the body after one reproductive cycle if a person is an intermediate host, such as infection with bovine tapeworm or feline worm.But often, parasites exist in the human body for years.
The consequences of worm infection are a weakening of the immune system, digestive disorders and a general weakening of the body, which is no longer able to cope with normal stress and other illnesses.Worm infestations are especially dangerous in children and women.The parasite interferes with the full growth and development of the child, and in pregnant women causes miscarriage or delayed fetal development.
Symptoms of worms
With parasitic infestation, there are manifestations 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 stomach, right hypochondrium;
- stool instability;
- change in appetite;
- weight loss;
- weakness, decreased performance, headaches.
The following symptoms are characteristic of ascariasis:
- nausea, pain in the stomach and right hypochondrium;
- rashes that appear periodically all over the body;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
With enterobiasis (pinworms) the following is observed:
- stomach ache;
- itching in the anal area;
- changes in appetite.
Diphyllobothriasis (long tapeworm in humans) manifests itself:
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the stomach area;
- indigestion;
- weakness, headache, fainting.
If the worms enter the liver, lungs or other internal organs, symptoms of infection will not be visible for a long time.Then signs of dysfunction of certain organs appear: cough, jaundice of the skin, tachycardia.
Which doctor should I contact for worm infestation?
If you suspect worms in the stomach, you can contact a pediatrician or therapist who will issue a referral for examination and prescribe treatment.In addition, worms in the stomach require consultation with an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist.
Diagnostic
Worm detection is carried out in several ways:
- Analysis of feces and scrapings of worm eggs.Most worms live in the intestines, so parasite eggs or body parts can be found in feces or scrapings.The disadvantage of this method is its low reliability, since worms in feces can only be detected with a massive infection.
- ELISA for worm 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 already suffers from parasitosis, or the infection has become chronic, then IgG.
- Blood test.Detect antibodies against certain types of worms.It is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.
There are less common diagnostic methods: determining helminth infestation using thermal imaging or electromagnetic vibrations created by parasites.However, this method is not widely used.To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, heart, CT of internal organs and MRI of blood vessels are also prescribed.
Treatment of worm infestation
The diagnosis of parasitosis often causes negative reactions in patients, so they refuse treatment.So what should you do if worms are found in your family members or you?
Currently, the treatment of helminth infestations in adults and children does not cause difficulties.There are many drugs to fight parasites - broad spectrum or highly specialized.
Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, let alone try to remove worms from adults or children on your own.Each of these drugs has its own level of toxicity and can cause poisoning in the body.Only a doctor can prescribe the drug and the appropriate regimen for its use.
Drug treatment
To get rid of worms, the following are recommended:
- Universal preparation for all types of parasites.
- The drug is active against roundworms and hookworms.
- Broad spectrum drug.
All types of deworming drugs only help eliminate adult worms.Therefore, to completely destroy all larvae and eggs, you need to undergo several courses of therapy.
Traditional method
To get rid of worms, there is the following recipe:
- Wormwood powder.Take 0.5 tsp.once a day for 3 days.
- Green bean skin.It is put in alcohol for 10-14 days and drunk 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.
dietary habit
When treating helminth infestations, it is recommended not to eat heavy foods or to refuse food for a while to enhance the therapeutic effect.And to speed up the elimination of toxins from the body, you need to drink as much fluid as possible.
Routes of infection and prevention
There are three main ways of transmitting helminthiasis:
- Food material.The most common route of infection.Worm eggs can be carried in water or soil;they can easily become infected if they eat unwashed fruits, vegetables and berries.A large 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 worms anywhere: in public catering places, transport, shops, on the street, through contact with street animals and pets.The only way to prevent it is to maintain personal hygiene and monitor the pet's condition.
- Contacts and household.This is how worm infestations spread in children's groups.Members of the same family can also infect by sharing towels, bedding, or clothing.
Are worms transmitted directly from person to person?This happens rarely, but with close contact with an infected patient, the risk of infecting other people increases several times.The only prevention of worms is to observe the rules of personal hygiene and careful food processing.
It is recommended to undergo tests and examinations with your doctor every year.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.