worms

Worms are parasitic worms whose life activity takes place in the human body. The result is helminthiasis. This is an acute disease of a chronic nature, which leads to a weakening of immunity, damage to internal organs, dysfunction and exhaustion. Diagnostic methods include fecal analysis for the presence of worm eggs, blood culture and sputum analysis under a microscope. To assess the damage caused by worms to internal organs, ultrasound, MRI and X-ray examination are used. Therapy is selected depending on the type of parasite.

A disease caused by parasites - helminthiasis

Helminthiasis is an infection caused by worms. It is very common and occurs in most countries, but the vast majority of cases are recorded in regions with warm climates and high humidity.

The risk of the disease exists at any age, but children between the ages of five and fifteen are most commonly affected. During this period, the immune system is still developing and the acidity of gastric juice is lower than in adults, so the destruction of parasites is not as effective. Various organs are affected by worms, their main habitat is the intestine.

The penetration routes of the parasites are mucous membranes and skin. Larvae or eggs can also enter the body with the food consumed. Mature eggs in the gastrointestinal tract receive optimal development conditions, which means that larvae hatch from them, which penetrate through the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract into the blood and can then pass through all organs unhindered in the bloodstream.

The liver, kidneys, gallbladder, heart, bronchi and lungs are most damaged. When the body tries to get rid of worms by coughing and throwing up sputum, they can remain in the saliva and end up back in the intestines if swallowed. There their further development takes place and after 75 days an adult individual appears.

The average time from entry into the body to the formation of a full-fledged worm is 60 to 90 days. This time coincides with the early intestinal stage of the disease. At a late stage, adult individuals actively develop and reproduce throughout the body. Their place of residence is the intestines, where eggs are laid that leave it during bowel movements.

Causes of Worms

The easiest way for parasites to enter the body is through food and water that contains eggs, or through contact with soil contaminated with feces. Worms can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through shared household items, clothing, dishes, etc.

At risk are people who ignore the simplest hygiene rules: they do not wash their hands, do not disinfect vegetables and carry out poor heat treatment of animal meat and fish.

On a note!

Parasite eggs can be carried on the paws and fur of pets when they return from a street walk. That is why you should take care of your pets, take them to the vet for regular examinations and do not forget to take anthelmintics.

Types of worms

Depending on the environmental conditions in which helminths occur, it is customary to distinguish three groups.

1. Helminths– live in the soil; they do not need a living organism to develop.
2. Biohelminths– At least two organisms are required for their development and reproduction.
3. Contact helminths.They can move from owner to a new object (between people) through contact and everyday life.

Scientists have identified about four hundred helminthiasis pathogens, but only the following species can live in the human body:

1. Nematodes.These include roundworms and pinworms. They are the most common.
2. Cestodes.These include beef and pork tapeworms as well as echinococci.
3. Trematodes (leeches).This group includes liver flukes and cat flukes. They become the cause of fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
4. Spinyheads:The giant acanthocephalan causes acanthocephalosis.

Depending on the site of parasitism, worms are divided into intestinal and extraintestinal worms. The second group includes those species that carry out their vital functions in other organs such as the liver or kidneys.

Symptoms of helminthiasis

The symptoms are very extensive and vary depending on the organ affected, the type of parasite and their number. A person's age and the initial state of all systems and organs as well as immunity also have a major influence. The acute phase of the disease lasts 14 to 60 days, the chronic phase can last more than a year.

The acute stage is characterized by signs of intoxication and allergic manifestations:

• Weakness;
• Chills;
• Fever;
• rashes, often itchy;
• cough without phlegm;
• difficult breathing;
• Stomach pain;
• Flatulence.

Bruxism – grinding of teeth – can also indicate the presence of parasitic worms in the body. Most often it manifests itself in a dream. Irritation in the anus and infection of the external genitalia may occur.

In the chronic stage, symptoms affecting the entire organs are observed. Particularly noticeable manifestations are dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, which manifest themselves in system disorders.

Anyone infected with parasites experiences:

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• decreased appetite;
• nausea;
• frequent belching;
• the appearance of food allergies that were not previously observed;
• weight loss;
• unstable bowel movements – constipation alternates with diarrhea.

When worms are localized in the liver and gallbladder, cysts form in these organs and concomitant diseases appear - obstructive jaundice and hepatitis. Roundworms lead to bronchitis, heart failure and myocarditis (the inner lining of the muscle tissue of the heart becomes inflamed).

When the central nervous system is damaged by helminths, irritation, attention and performance, and sleep disorders occur.

Helminthiasis impairs the immune system - the body becomes more susceptible to disease, fungal skin diseases and tooth decay become more common, and allergic manifestations become more severe.

Complications of helminthiasis

If helminthiasis is not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to serious damage to internal organs, disruption of their normal functioning and deterioration of a person's general well-being.

The vital activity of the larvae is accompanied by their secretions. High concentrations lead to poisoning, allergic reactions, skin rashes and bronchial asthma.

For their nutrition and development, helminths absorb nutrients and vitamins from the human body. This is especially dangerous for a child as the risk of developmental delays increases. If the infection occurs with hookworms and whipworms, there is a high probability of developing anemia - these types of worms ingest blood. Weakened immunity due to helminthiasis leads to frequent colds and other illnesses.

Important!

A helminth infection impairs the effectiveness of the vaccination protection.

With a large number of parasites, the formation of dysbiosis, partial or complete obstruction of the intestinal lumen and obstruction of the bile ducts is possible. This can lead to inflammation of the appendix and gallbladder.

Diagnosis of worms

When alarming signs appear, examination by several specialists is necessary, including a gastroenterologist, an infectious disease specialist and others. On palpation, enlargement of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes can be felt. A standard blood test helps confirm the presence of worms. When they are present, the number of leukocytes and eosinophils increases and erythrocyte sedimentation is increased.

A correct diagnosis can be made three months after infection when the larvae have become adults.

Laboratory methods are helpful for this:

• Scratching the anus to look for pinworm eggs;
• Stool analysis for the presence of worm eggs;
• Coprogram (detailed stool analysis to assess the functional quality of the gastrointestinal tract).

The biomaterial can be urine, feces, sputum, a piece of skin or the contents of the duodenum.

To determine the condition of internal organs, instrumental diagnostic methods are used, including:

• X-ray examination of the lungs;
• ultrasound of the liver;
• CT scan of internal organs;
• colonoscopy (intestinal examination with a camera);
• Gastroscopy and esophagoscopy (examination of the gastrointestinal tract with an endoscope).

It can be very difficult to accurately determine the presence of worms because egg laying by these parasites is irregular. They can only be found in adulthood. Blood antibodies are only produced in the first 60 days, after which they disappear from the bloodstream and accumulate in the intestinal wall. Establishing an accurate diagnosis is also complicated by extensive clinical manifestations, so therapy can be prescribed only on the basis of indirect signs.

Treatment methods for helminthiasis

When treating helminthiasis, anthelmintics are usually prescribed. The type of medication and the duration of treatment depend on the symptoms present and the type of parasite. Antinematodal, anticestodal and extended-spectrum drugs are often prescribed.

Symptoms associated with respiratory diseases are relieved by the use of glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines and antispasmodics. To normalize the condition of the intestines and its microflora, prebiotics are prescribed. To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - enzyme agents. Various cyst-like growths are surgically removed.

After 14 days and another month (after completion of therapy), three repeated tests for the presence of parasite eggs in the stool are required. Patients with weakened immune systems or those at risk should be checked regularly for worms.

reference

If a disease is detected in one or more family members, treatment is necessary for all people who show indirect signs.

Preventive measures against worms

To prevent the appearance of worms in the body, you must follow simple measures.

1. Be sure to wash your hands after eating, using the toilet, spending time outdoors, or playing with pets.
2. Follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to have a strong immune system.
3. Carry out mandatory heat treatment of meat and fish, wash vegetables and fruits.
4. Avoid raw water from consumption - prefer boiled, bottled or filtered water.
5. Wet clean the house at least every two weeks.

The use of anthelmintics as a preventive measure is necessary twice a year - in spring and autumn, when the immune system is weakened. Pets also need to take special anti-worm medications.