Worm eggs are microscopic. Invisible to the eye, they can be anywhere - in the ground, on the handrails of vehicles, door handles, in the children's sandpit, on our pet's fur.
How can one prevent an infection with worms or, if it does, avoid dangerous complications?
Symptoms of helminths in humans
No one can consider himself immune to infection with worms. Even with the strictest compliance with hygiene rules. To minimize the risk of infection, you need to be as knowledgeable as possible about the symptoms of helminths in humans, the prevention and treatment of helminth infestations.
The most common helminths:
Roundworm.Parasites belong to the class of nematodes, roundworms in cross section. The length of the female reaches 350 mm, males are much smaller. Roundworms are dangerous in both the intestinal and migratory phases.
Intestinal localization of parasites in complicated forms can lead to intestinal obstruction, leakage of adult roundworms into the respiratory tract with the threat of suffocation, blockage of the bile ducts and other complications. The migratory stage threatens the penetration of larvae into the lungs and other organs with the appearance of serious pathologies.
Infection with ascariasis occurs through parasite eggs that leave the patient's intestines with feces and mature in the soil to the invasive stage.
- Diphyllobotrium latum.This is a class of cestodes, one of which is a broad tapeworm. Their characteristic is that they have 3 owners. The main organism in which worms develop into a sexually mature individual is humans and some animals (cats, dogs, pigs, etc. ). Freshwater crustaceans are intermediate hosts for Diphyllobotrium latum. Intermediate additionally - fish (perch, pike, burbot). Broad tapeworm is infected by eating undercooked fish infested with parasitic larvae - plerocercoids.
pinworms.These are nematodes, like roundworms, but much smaller. The female has a length of up to 10 mm, the male - up to 5 mm. Enterobiasis is one of the most common worm diseases. Children are particularly susceptible to them.
The most characteristic manifestation of enterobiasis is itching in the anus. This is explained by the exit of females to the perianal zone to lay eggs. In the skin folds, the embryos mature to the invasive stage in 5-6 hours. If they get on the hands when scratched and then swallowed, this leads to reinfection.
routes of infection
Methods of infection with worms are determined by the invasive form of the parasite and the way it penetrates the host organism.
Most parasitic worms have two infectious forms - eggs (in some cestodes they are called oncospheres) and larvae. The latter are sometimes called fins or cysticerci. Eggs are microscopic, usually tens of microns. The larvae can reach a size of several to ten millimeters.
Most often, worms are infected by the oral route - through the mouth.But some types of parasites can be infected through the skin or with insect bites. When eggs are swallowed, the embryos they contain shed their shells, enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall, and are carried through the body by the blood. Depending on the type of parasite, they can settle in the liver, lungs, heart, pancreas, kidneys, brain, eyes.
When infected with larvae, the parasite is most often localized in the intestine. Due to their large size, the larvae cannot penetrate the vessels and migrate with the blood. They remain in the intestine, attach themselves to its wall and grow to a sexually mature state, after which they begin to multiply.
Worm eggs usually leave the gastrointestinal tract with feces. In some cases, for example, with cestodose, the evacuation of eggs from the intestinal tract can be carried out by fragments of worms - proglottids. They leave the intestines independently through the anus.
The main types of helminths
The effectiveness of treating helminths in humans depends on how accurately the clinical picture and the type of lesion inflicted by the parasites on the body are determined. And they, in turn, depend on the stage of invasion - intestinal or migratory.
intestinal stage of invasion.During the intestinal stage, the main damage is done to the patient's digestive system, specifically the gastrointestinal tract. Worms injure the intestinal mucosa with their suckers. This leads to inflammatory processes and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition to the fact that some of the nutrients are absorbed by the worms, the absorption function of the intestine is also impaired.The release of anti-enzymes by parasites reduces the digestive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract. All this leads to a lack of nutrients, vitamins and trace elements in the patient's body.
In addition to anti-enzymes, worms excrete other metabolic products that act as toxins on the host organism. Added to this is the decay of the bodies of dead worms. This exposes the patient's body to severe intoxication.
Some types of parasitic worms can penetrate from the gastrointestinal tract into neighboring organs and tissues - the bile ducts, gallbladder, hepatic parenchyma and other systems. For example, adult roundworms can invade the host's respiratory tract at high infection intensity. With a large number of parasites, mechanical obstruction of the intestine is possible. This can be seen in both roundworms and tapeworms.
When parasitic worms invade the liver parenchyma, abscesses can develop, requiring surgical intervention. Perforation of the intestine with the penetration of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract into the abdominal cavity and the development of peritonitis is not excluded. Due to the damaging effect of adult worms, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and cholangitis can develop.
migration phase.Due to the possibility of penetration of larval embryos into almost any organ, the migratory stage of the invasion can surpass the intestinal phase in the severity of the consequences.
Larvae developing from eggs in organs and tissues form inflammation and infiltrates. When this happens in the lungs, the invasion manifests itself as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthmatic syndrome.
When parasite eggs invade the brain (as, for example, cestode oncospheres do), single or multiple blistered fins are formed in its tissues. Their size can reach the size of a tennis ball. Due to the proximity of cysts to the tissues of the brain, their surgical removal carries a high risk of rupture of the purulent bladder and the development of secondary infection.
Poisoning of the patient's body with metabolites of live worms and toxins from the decay of their dead bodies leads to allergic reactions. The consequences are fever, skin symptoms, headaches and dizziness.
symptoms
The symptoms of a worm infection depend on many factors. There are manifestations characteristic of a certain type of invasion, but they are few in number.Most parasitic worms show symptoms similar to other diseases.This makes it difficult to diagnose. These common symptoms include:
- Total deterioration of condition, physical and mental weakness.
- nausea, vomiting.
- Stool disorders, constipation and diarrhea.
- Discomfort, heaviness, abdominal pain of various localization.
- Change in appetite up or down.
- Weight loss with no explanation. Also against the background of an increase in the amount of food consumed.
- Itching in the perianal region, feeling as if something is moving there.
- Allergic manifestations in the form of rashes.
- Cough.
- Difficulty breathing, asthmatic syndrome.
- bruxism. Teeth grinding during sleep is typical for children with an itchy anus.
- Increased excitability, irritability, insomnia, chronic fatigue, depression.
- Headache.
- Elevated temperature, mostly subfebrile. But sometimes it rises to high levels.
- Dizziness.
In the early stages of invasion, symptoms may be absent or so insignificant that they are not considered of great importance. In the future, as the intensity of the disease increases, the symptoms will become more pronounced.
The symptoms of helminths in human blood can vary depending on which organ the migrating embryos have settled in.If the place of their localization turns out to be the lungs, the patient may have a fever, breathing problems may appear.In these cases, the infection is usually accompanied by a cough - unproductive or with sputum, which can be orange in color. The latter suggests that the larvae damaged small blood vessels in the lungs.
Symptoms of helminths are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, heaviness and abdominal pain, profuse salivation, disturbed bowel movements, weight loss.
Attention.With severe liver invasion, abscesses can develop with a breakthrough of purulent contents into the abdominal cavity. This development of the disease threatens the life of the patient.
treatment with medication
Treatment for invasions depends on many factors. The main ones are the type of parasitic worms, the place of their localization, the stage of the disease (migratory or intestinal), the intensity of the infection, the patient's condition. But in any case, the treatment should be preceded by the diagnosis of the disease.
The most common diagnostic test for infections caused by parasitic worms is a stool test. If it is insufficient to make a diagnosis, then a general, biochemical, and/or enzyme immunoassay is done.Hardware diagnostics can also be used - ultrasound, radiography, MRI, etc.With a complete picture of the disease, the doctor prescribes antihelminthic drugs.
Important.Treatment with medicines with a strong active substance can cause side effects. This limits the use of drugs for some categories of patients. Especially for pregnant and lactating women, children under a certain age, patients with certain viral and infectious diseases.
To combat nematodes localized in the intestine and to destroy extraintestinal nematodes, various drugs are prescribed.
Important.Two courses of treatment are often carried out with a break of 2-3 weeks in between. This is because most antiviral drugs only kill adults. Their larvae and eggs remain intact. After the incubation period, a new generation of worms may emerge from them, the destruction of which will require a second course.
The use of folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies lasts longer than drug therapy. However, this relative disadvantage is compensated by the softness of herbal remedies and the lack of side effects.
There are many herbs that have an anthelmintic effect - nettle, tansy, celandine, wormwood, horsetail and many others.Antiparasitic plants contain components that are toxic to cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes, and mostly have a bitter taste.
Many anthelmintic herbs are also endowed with antiseptic and antibacterial effects. Their effectiveness depends on the correct preparation and administration of dosage forms. Here are some of the most popular herbal remedies and products. But you have to understand that this is only a tiny part of what actually exists.
pumpkin seed
It would not be an exaggeration to say that pumpkin seeds are the most popular anthelmintic. They contain cucurbitin, which is very effective against nematodes and cestodes. Pumpkin seeds can be used not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
Cucurbitin in particular is contained in the film between the core and the shell.Therefore, seeds are best eaten unpeeled. For the treatment you need to eat 300 g of seeds at a time. For prevention, 100 g is enough for adults and 70 g for children. From pumpkin seeds you can prepare solutions for enemas, which are effective against worms localized in the large intestine.
garlic
Garlic is a universal medicine that is in no way inferior to pumpkin seeds in its effectiveness. It contains phytoncides and essential oils that have a depressant effect on all types of parasites. Garlic is highly active against nematodes, especially Ascaris.
sparkling water
Parasitic worms do not tolerate alkaline conditions well, so baking soda is an effective drug against them. It can be taken orally, but the greatest effect of sodium bicarbonate is achieved when it is made into an enema solution. It should be used when nematodes or cestodes are localized in the colon.
Treasure
Honey doesn't need to be advertised as a medicine, but not everyone knows that it's also effective as an anthelmintic. To take it for this purpose, you need half a teaspoon 9 times a day.During treatment throughout the day you need to refuse food.
Only fresh vegetables are allowed the next day. Since honey has no contraindications and side effects, it can be used to treat young children. It is recommended to give them a glass of water sweetened with a teaspoon of honey.
carrot juice
Even official medicine, which is sometimes very strict with folk remedies, admits that carrot juice has an antihelminthic effect. The amount of juice extracted at one time is not limited by any requirements, everything should be within reason.
castor oil
Many species of nematodes and cestodes are localized in the gut. Some laxatives work well against them, especially the well-known castor oil. This recipe is suitable for adults. 80 ml of cognac is mixed with castor oil and drunk in one gulp before going to bed.
The procedure is carried out for 3 days. Children are given a sweet drink (compote, juice, tea) at 1-2 a. m. , and after half an hour they are given 15-30 g of castor oil.
Conclusion
If parasitic worms do not clearly manifest themselves (for example, in the form of whole individuals or their fragments in the feces), it is almost impossible to determine the presence of an invasion yourself. Therefore, at the first appearance of symptoms that may indicate infection, do not hesitate to contact an infectious disease specialist.
In his arsenal there are tools that allow you to establish an invasion with a hundred percent probability. A delay in contacting a clinic or self-treatment based on self-diagnosis can end sadly, even in death.