A person believes that their body belongs only to them.However, there are parasites that populate it without asking: and these are worms.No one 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 live on animals and plants, feed and reproduce within 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 during his life who has not had a single worm installed in his body, says the family doctor.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures actually exist.
Among all the parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, there are three main groups:
- Roundworm-related nematodes: pinworms, whipworms, trichinella, roundworms;
- tapeworms or flatworms related to cestodes (various types of tapeworms, tapeworms, and echinococci);
- trematode parasites, which cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other ailments.
Causes of worms in humans.
The collective name 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 down the street, after visiting guests or after going to the toilet, and does not rinse before eating.
- The cause of the appearance of worms in humans is usually the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and putting various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of worm infection is high if you have pets, especially those that walk outside.
Even with timely anthelmintic treatment, dogs and cats can spread worm eggs brought in from the street on their paws and fur.
- You can get infected with worms if you do not treat the vegetables, fruits, berries and greens that you are going to eat with hot water.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from an unknown source or wash food with it.
- Meat and fish that are not processed properly pose a risk of infection.When you eat poorly thermally processed beef, bovine tapeworm, pork, pork tapeworm and raw and lightly salted fish, broad tapeworm lives.
- You can get worms in the house if you rarely clean the house, wear outdoor shoes, and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if they share dishes, bedding, or stay in the same room for a long time.
Obviously, most of the causes of the appearance of worms in humans are due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.Those who take care of themselves, their home, and their pets 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 are a child.
In case of worms, it is not necessary to self-medicate in any case: the drugs used in the treatment of helminthiasis are quite difficult for the body.
Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the goal of which is not only to destroy parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it is unlikely to be possible to control it with anthelmintic medications alone.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people from a small circle easily infect each other.
Along with medications, vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion may be prescribed.For more effective treatment of worms, a person will need to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, they should undergo anthelmintic therapy twice a year;Otherwise, all treatment efforts will be in vain.
What tablets can be used?
Worms are a rather delicate problem that pushes many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly insists that certain pills can instantly solve the problem.
However, many do not realize that in some advertisement there is an indication that before use it is necessary to consult a doctor.These are not just words, we have already said that anti-worm medications are very serious and can cause harm if taken uncontrollably.
For the treatment of worms in humans, the following is used:
- anthelmintic drugs - destroy worms;
- antihistamines, which will help you if you are allergic to parasites that die massively;
- enterosorbents, which remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid supplements will help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- probiotics.
The frequency of medication intake is determined by an infectious disease doctor, based on the results of an objective examination, the patient's complaints and tests.
Traditional methods of treatment
As a folk remedy to treat worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins, which destroy worms.However, you should not rely on the miraculous cure of worms with the help of pumpkin seeds.
Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will 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 should make an appointment with a doctor: general practitioner, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans are:
- malaise, weakness, fatigue;
- allergies, such as rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
- decreased or increased appetite;
- nausea, vomiting without intoxication;
- Stomachache;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss, even if you have a good appetite;
- sleeping problems, insomnia;
- swollen or enlarged lymph nodes;
- fever without reason;
- pain in muscles and joints without exercise;
- snoring or grinding your teeth while sleeping;
- presence of worms in the feces;
- itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiasis: acute and chronic.The first lasts from 2 to 8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Very often during this period a pronounced allergic reaction to the helminth occurs.
After about two months, the acute phase turns into a chronic phase, and here the symptoms depend on the pathogen the person contracted and their habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans.
As a rule, we learn the basic rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we simply do not follow them:
- You should wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after using the bathroom, and after going out.
- It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits, herbs, and after washing, pour boiling water over them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In everyday life it is necessary to use only high-quality, potable water.
- Each family member must have personal hygiene products and utensils.
- The house should be kept clean and wet cleaning carried out regularly.
- Pets should receive preventative anthelmintic treatment regularly.