Worms are parasitic worms whose vital activity takes place in the human body. Its result is helminthiasis. This is an acute disease of a chronic nature, which leads to weakening of immunity, damage to internal organs, disruption of their functions and exhaustion. Diagnostic methods include fecal analysis for the presence of worm eggs, blood culture, and sputum analysis using a microscope. To assess the damage caused by worms to internal organs, ultrasound scans, MRIs and X-rays are used. Treatment is chosen based on the type of parasite.
A disease caused by parasites - helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is an infection caused by worms. It is very common - it is found in most countries, but the vast majority of cases are recorded in regions with warm climates and high humidity.
The risk of contracting the disease exists at any age, but children aged five to fifteen are most often affected. During this period, the immune system is still developing and the acidity of gastric juice is lower than in adults, so the destruction of parasites is not as effective. Various organs are affected by worms and their main habitat is the intestines.
The routes of penetration of parasites are the mucous membranes and the skin. The entry of larvae or eggs into the body can occur simultaneously with the food consumed. Mature eggs in the gastrointestinal tract benefit from optimal conditions for their development. As a result, larvae emerge from them, which penetrate through the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract into the blood, and then can freely pass through all organs with the bloodstream.
The liver, kidneys, gallbladder, heart, bronchi and lungs are most affected. When the body tries to get rid of worms by coughing and spitting up sputum, they can linger in saliva and, if swallowed, end up in the intestines. There their further development takes place and after 75 days a mature individual appears.
The average time from the moment it enters the body to the formation of a full-fledged worm ranges from 60 to 90 days. This period coincides with the early stage of intestinal disease. At an advanced stage, adult individuals actively develop and reproduce throughout the body. Their place of residence is the intestines, where eggs are laid, which come out during defecation.
Causes of worms
The easiest way for parasites to enter is through food and water containing eggs, or through contact with soil contaminated with feces. Worms can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through sharing household items, clothing, dishes, etc.
At risk are people who ignore the simplest rules of hygiene: they do not wash their hands, do not disinfect vegetables and carry out improper heat treatment of animal meat and fish.
On a note!
Parasite eggs can be carried on the paws and fur of pets when returning from a walk outside. Therefore, you need to take care of your pets, take them regularly for examinations to the veterinarian and do not forget to use anthelmintic drugs.
Types of worms
Depending on the environmental conditions in which helminths exist, it is customary to distinguish three groups.
- Helminths– live in the ground; they do not need a living organism to develop.
- Biohelminths– for their development and reproduction, at least two organisms are needed.
- Contact helminths.They can pass from the owner to a new object (between people) through contact and daily life.
Scientists have identified about four hundred helminthiasis pathogens, but only the following species can live in the human body:
- Nematodes.These include roundworms and pinworms. They occur most often.
- Cestodes.These include bovine and porcine tapeworms, echinococci.
- Trematodes (flukes).This group includes liver flukes and cat flukes. They become the cause of fascioliasis and clonorchiasis.
- Spiny heads:The giant acanthocephalus causes acanthocephalosis.
Depending on the place of parasitism, worms are divided into intestinal and extraintestinal. The second group includes species that carry out their vital functions in other organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
The symptoms are very widespread and vary depending on the organ affected, the type of parasites and their number. In addition, a person's age, the initial state of all systems and organs as well as immunity have a great influence. The acute phase of the disease lasts 14 to 60 days, and the chronic phase can last more than a year.
The acute stage is characterized by features of intoxication and allergic manifestations:
- weakness;
- chills;
- fever;
- skin rashes, often itchy;
- cough without phlegm;
- difficult breathing;
- stomach ache;
- bloating.
Bruxism – teeth grinding – can also indicate the presence of parasitic worms in the body. Most often this manifests itself in a dream. Irritation of the anus and infection of the external genitalia may occur.
In the chronic stage, symptoms associated with the organs as a whole are observed. Particularly striking manifestations are disorders in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by malfunctions of the system.
People infected with parasites experience:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- decreased appetite;
- nausea;
- frequent belching;
- the appearance of food allergies that were not previously observed;
- weightloss;
- unstable stools - constipation alternates with diarrhea.
If the worms are localized in the liver and gallbladder, cysts form in these organs and concomitant diseases appear - obstructive jaundice and hepatitis. Roundworms cause bronchitis, heart failure and myocarditis (the heart lining of muscle tissue becomes inflamed).
When the central nervous system is damaged by helminths, a person becomes irritated, attention and performance deteriorate, and sleep is disturbed.
Helminthiasis affects the immune system - the body becomes more susceptible to diseases, fungal skin diseases and caries are more common, and allergic manifestations become more serious.
Complications of helminthiasis
If helminthiasis is not treated in time, it can lead to serious damage to internal organs, disruption of their normal functioning and deterioration in the general well-being of a person.
The vital activity of the larvae is accompanied by their secretions. High concentrations lead to poisoning, allergic reactions, skin rashes and bronchial asthma begin.
For their nutrition and development, helminths draw nutrients and vitamins from the human body. This is especially dangerous for a child, as the risk of developmental delays increases. If infection occurs with hookworms and whipworms, there is a high probability of developing anemia - these types of worms absorb blood. Weakened immunity due to helminthiasis leads to frequent colds and other diseases.
Important!
Helminthic infection negatively affects the effectiveness of vaccine protection.
With a large number of parasites, the formation of dysbiosis, partial or complete blockage of the intestinal lumen and blockage of the bile ducts are possible. This can cause inflammation of the appendix and gallbladder.
Diagnosis of worms
If alarming signs appear, an examination by several specialists is required, including a gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist and others. On palpation, enlargement of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes will be felt. A standard blood test will help confirm the presence of worms - if they are present, the number of leukocytes and eosinophils will increase and erythrocyte sedimentation will increase.
A correct diagnosis can be made three months after infection, when the larvae have become adults.
Laboratory methods will be useful for this:
- scratch the anus to check for pinworm eggs;
- fecal analysis for the presence of helminth eggs;
- coprogram (detailed analysis of stools to assess the quality of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract).
The biomaterial can be urine, stool, sputum, a piece of skin or the contents of the duodenum.
To determine the condition of internal organs, instrumental diagnostic methods are used, including:
- X-ray examination of the lungs;
- Liver ultrasound;
- Computed tomography of internal organs;
- colonoscopy (intestinal probing using a camera);
- gastroscopy and esophagoscopy (examination of the gastrointestinal tract using an endoscope).
It can be very difficult to accurately determine the presence of worms because the egg laying of these parasites is irregular. They are only found as adults. Blood antibodies are only produced during the first 60 days, after which they disappear from the bloodstream and accumulate in the intestinal wall. Establishing an accurate diagnosis is also complicated by widespread clinical manifestations, so treatment can only be prescribed based on the presence of indirect signs.
Methods for treating helminthiasis
When treating helminthiasis, anthelmintic drugs are usually prescribed. The type of medication and duration of treatment are determined by the symptoms present and the type of parasite. Antinematode, antiestodene, and extended-spectrum medications are often prescribed.
Symptoms associated with respiratory system disorders are relieved by the use of glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines and antispasmodics. To normalize the condition of the intestines and its microflora, prebiotics are prescribed. To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - enzymatic agents. Various cyst-like growths are surgically removed.
After 14 days and another month (once treatment is completed), tests repeated three times are required to detect the presence of parasite eggs in the stool. Patients who are immunocompromised or at risk should undergo periodic worm screening.
Reference
When an illness is detected in one or more family members, treatment is required for anyone showing indirect signs.
Preventive measures against worms
To prevent the appearance of worms in the body, you need to follow simple measures.
- Be sure to wash your hands after eating, using the bathroom, being outside, or playing with pets.
- Follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to have a strong immune system.
- Carry out the obligatory heat treatment of meat and fish, wash vegetables and fruits.
- Eliminate raw water from drinking – opt for boiled, bottled or purified water through filters.
- At least once every two weeks, clean the house with water.
The use of anthelmintic drugs for prevention is required twice a year - in spring and autumn, when the immune system is weakened. Pets also need to take special anti-worm medications.