Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that invade the human body and harm its health. The diseases they cause are helminthiasis. More than 300 species of these parasites have now been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but especially in areas with warm and humid climates. The risk group for them includes children aged 5 to 15 years. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by children's desire 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 skin tissue when they ingest eggs, worm larvae with water and food. Larvae form from mature eggs in the digestive tract. They enter the bloodstream via the intestinal mucosa and are transported to the liver, gallbladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. When coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms get back into a person's intestines. There they can reproduce after 70-75 days.
It takes up to 3 months from damage by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths - the early stage of the disease. As soon as the adult animal develops, the late stage begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which are released into the environment through feces.
Types of worms
There are different types of worms:
- Roundworms (Nematodes) – Roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes) – pork tapeworm, broadband worm.
- Flukes (trematodes) – lung and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiasis differs in the features of development and infection:
Geohelminthiases. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body through unwashed fruits and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host: dogs, fish and shellfish. The defeat of humans, who are the final host of the parasites, is associated with the consumption of low-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Worm eggs are often carried into the home on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or released outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is a violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, a person forgot to wash their hands after leaving the house, using 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.
Poor washing quality of herbal products is significantly harmful to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat if the technology for their preparation is violated. If beef is not cooked properly, beef tapeworm infection can occur; Poorly processed fish can become infected with the broad spectrum worm; If pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of pork tapeworm infection.
Worms can also occur indoors if they are rarely cleaned wet and you walk on them without taking off your outdoor shoes.
Helminthiasis can be transmitted from a sick person through bedding, dishes, or close contact.
The causes of morbidity are associated with violations of hygiene rules, poor care of domestic cats and dogs, and poor food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, the likelihood of infection with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiases are acute and chronic. The former leads to an allergic reaction. The patient's complaints indicate signs of allergy and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- itching and rash;
- dyspnea;
- cough without phlegm;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased gas formation in the intestines.
In the case of chronic infection by helminths, the manifestations are diverse and are related to 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;
- hives;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea, vomiting;
- smell from mouth;
- pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss;
- perianal itching;
- Presence of worm fragments in feces.
In addition, the organs affected by helminths can malfunction. For example, if there are parasites in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, bronchitis and suffocation are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls have vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (teeth grinding at night). With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers - a person suffers from increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance to physical activity and sleep disorders.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungi, pustular skin diseases, caries are added, allergies and concomitant diseases are more serious.
If helminthiasis is not treated promptly, the parasite larvae damage the blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the patient's condition and well-being.
The products that the larvae secrete during their life poison the human body. They cause local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on proteins, minerals and vitamins from the human body. This can lead to developmental delays in children. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of the host, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
With a mass proliferation of worms in the human body, disturbances in the intestinal flora 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 excrete foods that are harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, worms can invade the brain, lungs and other organs.
It is recommended to make an appointment with a qualified gastroenterologist if you have the following signs of pathology:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reaction, for example skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- a person eats a lot or little;
- Nausea and vomiting occur, but there are no signs of intoxication;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- poor sleep;
- increase in body temperature;
- Pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- Enlargement, inflammation of lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in feces;
- Itching in the perianal area.
If helminth infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are palpated. The listed organs can be enlarged.
In case of helminthiasis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and increased ESR.
Helminth diseases can be most accurately recognized three months after their onset, when the helminths become sexually mature individuals. Laboratory tests are indicated for diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- Stool analysis for worm eggs;
- co-program.
Sputum, urine, vomit, duodenal contents and pieces of skin serve as examination and diagnostic material.
Allergy tests are carried out to detect intestinal worm diseases. Changes in internal organs are detected by:
- X-ray of the lungs.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver.
- Computed tomography of internal organs.
- Colonoscopy.
- Esophagogastroscopy.
Sometimes it is not easy to detect helminthiasis in humans because worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect them, it is important to collect research material during the helminth breeding season. Antibodies against worms are detected in the blood 2 months after infection. They are then not detected in the bloodstream, but rather accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult due to the variety of clinical symptoms. Often, specialists prescribe examinations and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies for parasites
A widely known folk method of treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitins, which negatively affect the vital activity of helminths. However, it will not be possible to completely cure yourself of parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you do not see a doctor or have yourself examined, complications may arise because worms multiply quickly. They are particularly 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.Pour 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers into 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid, let it brew for 20 minutes, strain. Take the chilled infusion 3-4 times a day, 4 tablespoons each. The first dose is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, then 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.
Wormwood infusion.The bitter taste of this plant irritates the receptors in the oral cavity, which promotes the formation of gastric juice, bile and pancreatic enzymes. This plant contains chamazulene, which has a laxative and anti-inflammatory effect. It has a negative effect on the life cycle of helminths and has an anthelmintic effect.
To prepare the infusion, dried 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 must 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.
Infusion of cloves. This spice is often used in folk medicine. Dried buds of this plant improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion and strengthen 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 tincture. Pour 30 g of buds into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). Let the liquid steep in the dark for 2-3 weeks and then filter it. 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 teach them to children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, coming into contact with 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 over a longer period of time.
- Use high quality and safe water for domestic use.
- You must use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and bed linen.
- For drinking you can use boiled, filtered water.
- Indoors, you should regularly wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and wash floors.
- Every two weeks you need to wash the floors with detergent.
How to remove worms - in spring and autumn it is recommended to prevent helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Pets should also undergo regular anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted? If the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.