Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body, causing harm to his health, and the disease caused by them is helminthiasis. More than 300 species of this parasite have now been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but especially in areas with a warm and humid climate. The risk group for them includes children aged 5-15 years. They often have 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 intestine.
They enter the human body through the integumentary tissue, when swallowing eggs, worm larvae with water and food. From the ripe eggs, larvae are formed in the digestive tract. They enter the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and are carried to the liver, gall bladder, bronchi, lungs, heart, and brain. In the process of coughing up phlegm and swallowing saliva, the worm returns to the person's intestine. There, after 70-75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage by eggs or larvae to the emergence of mature helminths takes up to 3 months - the initial stage of the disease. From the moment adulthood is formed, the final stage begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which enter the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (nematodes) - roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes) - pork tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Flukes (trematodes) - lung and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiasis differs in the characteristics of development and infection:
Geohelminthiases. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body with unwashed fruits and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. This type of worm has intermediate hosts - dogs, fish, and shellfish. The defeat of humans, who are the last host of the parasite, is associated with the consumption of low-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often, worm eggs are brought into the home on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or released outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, someone forgets to wash their hands after leaving the house, the toilet, or before eating.
The risk of helminthiasis increases if you have a habit of sucking your fingers, biting your nails, or holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
The washing of poor quality plant products causes great harm to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as washing food with water from untested sources.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat if the technology for its preparation is violated. If beef is not cooked properly, you can contract beef tapeworm; if the fish is not properly processed, then infection with broad tapeworms is possible; if the pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of pork tapeworm infection.
Worms can also be found indoors if they are rarely wet cleaned and people walk on them without removing their outdoor shoes.
Helminthiasis can be contracted from a sick person through bedding, dishes, or close contact.
The causes of morbidity are associated with violations of hygiene rules, poor care of pet cats and dogs, and poor food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, then the possibility of getting infected with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiases are acute and chronic. The first leads to an allergic reaction. Patient complaints show signs of allergies and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- itching and skin rash;
- breathing difficulties;
- cough without sputum;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased gas formation in the intestines.
In the case of chronic infection by helminths, the manifestations are varied and are associated with the location of the worms, their number, and the characteristics of the immune response of the human body. The most common symptoms of worms are:
- weakness, increased fatigue;
- increased body temperature;
- darkening of the skin under the eyes;
- itching;
- appetite disturbances;
- nausea vomiting;
- bad breath;
- pain in the stomach;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight reduction;
- perianal itching;
- the presence of worm fragments in the feces.
In addition, there may be disturbances in the function of organs affected by helminths. For example, when the parasite is in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, then bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often have ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls have vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (grinding the teeth at night). With helminthiases, the nervous system suffers - a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, decreased tolerance to physical activity, and disturbed sleep.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungus, pustular skin diseases, caries are added, allergies and concomitant diseases are worse.
If helminthiasis is not treated immediately, the parasitic larvae will damage the 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 trigger local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis.
Worms eat protein, minerals, and vitamins from the human body. In children, this can cause developmental delays. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of the host, which is humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of massive reproduction of worms in the human body, disruption of the intestinal microflora and incomplete closure of the intestinal lumen and bile ducts are possible. This is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis, and intestinal obstruction.
When to go to the doctor
Helminthiasis must be treated immediately. In the human body, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. They secrete food that is harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, the worms can penetrate the brain, lungs, and other organs.
It is recommended to make an appointment with a qualified gastroenterologist if you have the following pathological signs:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reactions, for example, skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- one eats a lot or a little;
- nausea and vomiting appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- lack of sleep;
- increased body temperature;
- pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in stool;
- itching in the perianal area.
If a helminthic attack is suspected, then the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes are felt. The organs listed can be enlarged.
In the case of helminthiasis, general blood tests show leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and increased ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected after 3 months from the onset, when helminths become sexually mature individuals. For the purpose of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, laboratory tests are indicated:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- coprogram.
Sputum, urine, vomit, duodenal contents, and pieces of skin are used as material for examination and diagnosis.
To identify intestinal helminthic diseases, allergy tests are performed. Changes in internal organs are detected using:
- X-ray of the lungs.
- Ultrasound examination of the heart.
- Computed tomography of internal organs.
- Colonoscopy.
- Esophagogastroscopy.
Sometimes it is not easy to identify helminthiasis in humans, because worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect it, it is important to take material for research during the breeding season of helminths. Antibodies to worms are detected in the blood 2 months after infection. They are then not detected in the bloodstream but accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often, experts prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A popular folk method for treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitin, which affects the vital activity of helminths. However, it is not possible to completely cure yourself of parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you don't see a doctor or get checked, you can get complications, because worms multiply quickly. 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, dry wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant material are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and left in a thermos for 6-8 hours. Then the infusion needs to 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 function of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion, and improve immunity. Clove infusion is effective against worms.
To prepare it, pour 500 ml of water into 30 g of buds and wait for the product to cool completely. Take 1 glass orally before breakfast.
Clove colored. Pour 30 g of buds into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). Put 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. It is also necessary to instill it in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, touching animals, using the toilet, and before eating.
- Rinse fruits and herbs well with water and rinse with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood should be thermally processed for a long time.
- Use high quality and safe water for domestic purposes.
- You need to use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and linens.
- For drinks, you can use filtered boiled water.
- Indoors, you should regularly wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floor.
- Every 2 weeks you need to wash the floor with detergent.
How to remove worms - in spring and autumn it is recommended to prevent helminthiases with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents. Pets should also be periodically subjected to anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.