Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that penetrate the human body, causing damage to health, and the diseases they cause are helminthiasis. More than 300 species of these parasites have been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but mainly in areas with a hot and humid climate. The risk group for them includes children aged 5 to 15 years. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to learn about 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, when ingesting eggs, worm larvae with water and food. From mature eggs, larvae form 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 end up in a person's intestines again. There, after 70-75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths lasts up to 3 months - the initial stage of the disease. From the moment the adult forms, the late phase begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestine for up to a year and lay eggs there, which are passed into the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (nematodes) - roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (cestodes) - pork tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Worms (trematodes) - lung and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiasis differs in the characteristics of development and infection:
Geohelminthiasis. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body with unwashed fruit and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host – dogs, fish and shellfish. The defeat of humans, the final host of parasites, is associated with the consumption of low-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often, worm eggs are carried indoors on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or let loose outside. 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, the bathroom or before eating.
Your 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.
Washing poor quality vegetable 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 of their preparation is violated. If the meat is not properly cooked, you can become infected with beef tapeworm; if the fish is poorly processed, infection with broad tapeworm is possible; If pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of pork tapeworm infection.
Worms can also be found indoors if they are rarely cleaned with water and people walk on them without taking off their shoes outdoors.
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 these factors are excluded, the likelihood of helminth infection is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiases are acute and chronic. The first lead to an allergic reaction. The patient's complaints show 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 helminth infection, the manifestations are varied and are associated with the location of the worms, their number and the characteristics of the human body's immune response. 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;
- smell from the mouth;
- pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss;
- perianal itching;
- presence of worm fragments in feces.
In addition, disturbances in the functioning of organs affected by helminths may occur. For example, when the parasites are in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths penetrate 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 (nocturnal teeth grinding). 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 diseases of the skin, caries, allergies and concomitant diseases are more serious.
If helminthiasis is not treated immediately, the parasite larvae will damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the patient's condition and well-being.
The products that the larvae secrete during life poison the human body. They cause local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on proteins, minerals and vitamins in the human body. In children, this can cause developmental delays. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of their host, that is, humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of mass reproduction of worms in the human body, disruption of the intestinal microflora and incomplete closure of the lumen of the intestines 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 intestine. They secrete harmful foods into the digestive tract. Without treatment, the worms can enter 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 appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- sleep badly;
- increased body temperature;
- pain in muscles and joints without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in feces;
- itching in the perianal region.
If helminthic infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes will be felt. The listed bodies can be expanded.
In the case of helminthiasis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and an increase in ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected after 3 months of onset, when helminths become sexually mature individuals. For the purpose of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, laboratory tests are indicated:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- analysis of feces 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 performed. Changes in internal organs are detected using:
- 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 take material for research during the helminth reproduction 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, experts prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A widely known folk method for 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 don't see a doctor or get checked out, you could 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 the doctor.
Tansy infusion.Pour 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers with 200 ml of boiling water, cover, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Take the cooled infusion 3-4 times a day, 4 tablespoons. The first dose is in the morning on an empty stomach and then 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.
Absinthe 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, dry wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant matter are placed in 300 ml of boiling water and left in a thermos for 6 to 8 hours. Then the infusion needs to be filtered. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product is stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days.
Clove infusion. This spice is widely used in folk 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). Insist the liquid in the dark for 2 to 3 weeks, 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 personal hygiene rules. It is also necessary to instill them in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after leaving the house, coming into contact with animals, going to the bathroom and before eating.
- Wash fruits and herbs well with water and rinse them with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood must be thermally processed over a long period.
- Use high-quality, potable water for domestic purposes.
- It is necessary to use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and sheets.
- For drinking, you can use boiled and filtered water.
- Indoors, you should regularly wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floors.
- Once every 2 weeks you need to wash the floor with detergent.
How to remove worms - in spring and autumn it is recommended to prevent helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents. Pets should also be periodically subjected to anthelmintic therapy.
Worms are transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.