A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that populate it without asking - and these are worms.Nobody is happy with such coexistence, so urgent measures are being taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms or helminths are parasitic worms that feed on animals and plants, feed and reproduce in living organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the earth is infected with parasitic worms.It is assumed that there is not a single adult person in whose life not a single worm has settled, says the general practitioner.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures actually exist.
Among all parasitic worms that can occur in the human body, there are three main groups:
- Nematodes related to roundworms: pinworm, whipworm, trichinella, roundworm;
- Tapeworms or flatworms related to cestodes (various species of tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococci);
- Fluke parasites or trematodes that cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other diseases.
Causes of worms in humans
The collective term for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.It occurs when worm larvae or eggs enter the human body.
This can happen for the following reasons:
- A person does not follow the basic rules of hygiene: he does not wash his hands after walking on the street, after visiting guests or after using the toilet, and does not rinse them before eating.
- Often the cause of worms in humans is the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of infection with worms is high if you have pets, especially if they walk on the street.
Even with timely anthelmintic therapy, dogs and cats can transfer worm eggs brought from the street to their paws and fur.
- You can become infected with worms if you do not treat vegetables, fruits, berries and greens that you want to eat with hot water.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from an unknown source or use it to wash food.
- Meat and fish that are not processed properly pose a risk of infection. When eating poorly thermally processed beef - beef tapeworm, pork - pork tapeworm and lightly salted and raw fish, the broad tapeworm lives.
- You can catch worms in the house if you rarely clean it, wear outdoor shoes, and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person by sharing dishes or linens or by staying in the same room for a long time.
Apparently, most causes of worms in humans are due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.If you take care of yourself, your home, and your pets, you may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of worms in humans
Treatment of worms in a person is carried out by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult or by a pediatrician if the worms appear in a child.
In case of worms, you should definitely not self-medicate: the drugs used to treat helminthiasis place quite a heavy burden on the body.
Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the aim of which is not only to destroy the parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it is unlikely that treatment with anthelmintics alone will be possible.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, since people in close circles easily infect each other.
In addition to medications, vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion can also be prescribed.For more effective treatment of worms, a person needs to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, they must undergo anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be in vain.
Which tablets can be used?
Worms are a rather delicate problem that pushes many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly states that certain pills can solve the problem immediately.
However, many people do not notice that every advertisement states that a doctor must be consulted before use.These are not simple words, we have already said that drugs against worms are very serious and can be harmful if taken uncontrollably.
To treat worms in humans are used:
- Anthelmintics – they destroy worms;
- antihistamines, which help if you are allergic to massively dying parasites;
- Enterosorbents that remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid – they all help with anemia.
- Hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- Probiotics.
The frequency of taking the medication is determined by an infectious disease doctor based on the results of an objective examination, complaints and tests of the patient.
Traditional treatment methods
As a folk remedy to treat worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins that destroy worms.However, you should not rely on a miraculous cure for worms using pumpkin seeds.
Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under medical supervision, complications can arise: the worms spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts and enter the pancreatic ducts.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia - a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect helminthiasis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor: a general practitioner, a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans include:
- malaise, weakness, tiredness;
- Allergies such as rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
- decreased or increased appetite;
- nausea, vomiting without intoxication;
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
- sleep disorders, insomnia;
- inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
- fever without cause;
- Pain in muscles and joints without movement;
- snoring or grinding teeth while sleeping;
- presence of worms in feces;
- Itching in the anal area (often due to pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiases: acute and chronic.The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Most often, a pronounced allergic reaction to the helminth occurs during this period.
After about two months, the acute phase transitions into a chronic phase, with symptoms depending on the infected pathogen and its habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans
We usually learn the most important rules for preventing worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we simply don't follow them:
- Before eating, after using the toilet and after going outside, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits and herbs and pour boiling water over them after washing.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In everyday life you need to use only high-quality and safe water.
- Each family member must have personal hygiene products and utensils.
- The house should be kept clean and wet cleaned regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive anthelmintic therapy.