Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body and damage its health, and the diseases they cause are helminthiases. Currently more than 300 species of these parasites have been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but mainly in areas with warm and humid climates. The risk group for them includes children from 5 to 15 years old. They often have intestinal worms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get acquainted with the outside world, low immunity to helminths and insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestines.
They enter the human body through the integumentary tissue, by ingesting eggs, worm larvae with water and food. From mature eggs, larvae are formed in the digestive tract. They enter the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and are transported to the liver, gallbladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. In the process of coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms fall back into a person's intestines. There, after 70-75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage caused by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths, it lasts up to 3 months - the initial stage of the disease. From the moment the adult is formed, the late stage begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which they pass into the environment through defecation.
types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Intestinal worms (nematodes): roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes): pig tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Trematodes (trematodes): lung and liver flukes, feline flukes.
In addition, helminthiasis differs in the features of development and infection:
Geohelminthiasis. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body with unwashed fruits and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host: dogs, fish and shellfish. The defeat of man, who is 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 brought into the home on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or released outdoors. The most common cause of helminthiasis is violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, a person forgot to wash their hands after leaving the house, after going to the bathroom, or before eating.
The risk of helminthiasis increases if you have the habit of sucking your fingers, biting your nails, or holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
Poor quality washing of plant products causes great harm to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as when washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat, if the technology for its preparation is violated. If beef is not cooked properly, it can become infected with bovine tapeworm; if the fish is poorly processed, then infection with broad tapeworm is possible; If pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of infection with pork tapeworm.
Worms can also be found indoors if it is rarely wet cleaned and people walk on it 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 violation of hygiene rules, poor care of domestic dogs and cats, and poor food hygiene. If you exclude these factors, the likelihood of becoming infected with helminths is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiases are acute and chronic. The former cause an allergic reaction. The patient's complaints show signs of allergy and poisoning:
- weakness and fatigue;
- itchy skin and rash;
- dyspnoea;
- cough without phlegm;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased gas formation in the intestines.
In case of chronic helminth infection, the manifestations are varied 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;
- urticaria;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea vomiting;
- odor from the mouth;
- pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weightloss;
- perianal itching;
- Presence of worm fragments in the feces.
In addition, alterations may occur in the functioning of the organs affected by helminths. For example, when the parasites are in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right upper quadrant, nausea, and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, bronchitis and suffocation are possible. Nematodes can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Boys who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls - vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (grinding the teeth at night). With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers: a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, decreased tolerance to physical activity, and sleep disturbances.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, which is why fungal, pustular skin diseases, caries, allergies and concomitant diseases are added.
If helminthiasis is not treated in time, the parasite larvae damage 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. In children, this can cause developmental delays. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of the host, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of massive reproduction of worms in the human body, a disturbance of the intestinal microflora and incomplete closure of the lumen of the intestine and bile ducts are possible. This is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.
When to go to the doctor
Helminthiasis should be treated immediately. In the human body, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. They secrete harmful foods for 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 signs of pathology:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reaction, for example, skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- a person eats a lot or a little;
- nausea and vomiting appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- bad dream;
- increased body temperature;
- pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in feces;
- itching in the perianal area.
If a helminthic infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes are palpated. The listed organs can be expanded.
In case of helminthiasis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and increased ESR.
Helminth diseases are most accurately detected after 3 months from the onset, when the helminths reach sexual maturity. For diagnostic purposes and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, laboratory tests are indicated:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- coprogram.
Sputum, urine, vomit, contents of the duodenum and pieces of skin are used as material for examination and diagnosis.
To identify intestinal helminthic diseases, allergy tests are carried out. 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 identify helminthiasis in humans, as the worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect them, it is important to carry 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 accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often, specialists prescribe investigations and treatments based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites.
A widely known popular 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 parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you do not see a doctor or get an examination, you may have complications, because the 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 a doctor.
Tansy infusion.Pour 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers into 200 ml of boiling water, cover, leave for 20 minutes and strain. Take the chilled infusion 3-4 times a day, 4 tablespoons. The first dose is applied 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 negatively affects 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 it is necessary to filter the infusion. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product keeps in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Clove infusion. This spice is widely used in popular medicine. The dried buds of this plant improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion and increase 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). Infuse the liquid in the dark for 2-3 weeks and then filter. Take 1 teaspoon of tincture before meals for 2 to 4 weeks.
Prevention
To prevent worms in adults, it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is also necessary to instill them in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going out, having contact with animals, using the bathroom, and before eating.
- Rinse fruits and herbs thoroughly with water and rinse with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood must be thermally processed for a long time.
- Use safe, high-quality water for domestic purposes.
- It is necessary to use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and bedding.
- For drinking, you can use filtered boiled water.
- Inside, it is advisable to periodically clean the surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floors.
- Once every 2 weeks it is necessary to wash the floors with detergent.
How to eliminate worms: in spring and autumn it is recommended to prevent helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents. Pets should also periodically receive anthelmintic therapy.
Are worms transmitted? If the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.