Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that enter the human body, harming its health, and the diseases they cause are helminthiasis. More than 300 species of these parasites have now been identified. Helminthic infections are widespread, but mainly in regions with warm and humid climates. The risk group for them includes children from 5 to 15 years old. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get acquainted with the outside world, low immunity to helminths, as well as insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestine.
They enter the human body through the integumentary tissue, 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. By coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms again find their way into a person's intestines. There, after 70 to 75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths, it lasts up to 3 months - the early stage of the disease. From the moment the adult forms, the late stage begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which are released 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.
- Flukes (trematodes) - pulmonary and liver flukes, cat flukes.
Also, helminthiases differ in features of development and infection:
Geohelminthiasis. Pest 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 humans, who are the final host of parasites, is associated with the consumption of poor quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Often, worm eggs are carried into the home on the legs and fur of pets that are walked or released outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is a 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 is seriously harmful to health.
Helminthiasis can occur from drinking raw water or washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat if the technology for their preparation is violated. If beef is not properly cooked, you can become infected with bovine tapeworm; if the fish is poorly processed, infection with the broad tapeworm is possible; if the pork is undercooked, there is a high risk of pork tapeworm infection.
Worms can also be found indoors if it is rarely cleaned with water 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 cats and dogs, 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 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 case of chronic infection with helminths, the manifestations are varied and are linked 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 disturbances;
- nausea Vomiting;
- odor from the mouth;
- pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weightloss;
- perianal itching;
- presence of worm fragments in the stools.
In addition, disturbances in the functioning of organs affected by helminths may occur. For example, when parasites are found in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have entered the lungs, bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls suffer from vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (nocturnal teeth grinding). With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers - a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance to physical activity and disturbed sleep.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, so fungal and pustular skin diseases, caries are added, allergies and concomitant diseases are more serious.
If helminthiasis is not treated promptly, the larvae of the parasite damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the condition and well-being of the patient.
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 lead to developmental delays. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of the host, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
In case of massive 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. It 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 foods that are harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, 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, 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;
- poor sleep;
- increased body temperature;
- muscle and joint pain without physical activity;
- enlarged, inflamed lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in the stool;
- itching in the perianal area.
If a helminthic infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are felt. The organs listed can be enlarged.
In case of helminthiasis, the general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and an increase in ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected three months after their appearance, when helminths become sexually mature individuals. For the purposes of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, 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 examination and diagnostic materials.
To identify intestinal helminthic diseases, allergy tests are carried out. 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, because the worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect them, it is important to take 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 blood circulation but accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often, specialists prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies for parasites
Pumpkin seeds are a widely known popular method for treating worms. 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 yourself of parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you don't see a doctor or get checked out, you may have complications because the worms multiply quickly. They are particularly dangerous when they affect internal organs and the brain.
How to get rid of worms - traditional medicine can be used as an addition to the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Tansy Infusion.Pour 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers into 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid, leave for 20 minutes, drain. Take the cooled infusion 3 to 4 times a day, 4 tablespoons. The first dose is given in the morning on an empty stomach, 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, the dried absinthe 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 the infusion must be filtered. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Infusion of cloves. This spice is widely used in traditional medicine. 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, 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. They must also be instilled in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going out, after being in contact with animals, after using the toilet and before eating.
- Rinse fruits and herbs well with water and rinse with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood should be heat treated for a long time.
- Use potable, high-quality water for domestic purposes.
- You must use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and linens.
- For drinking, you can use boiled and filtered water.
- Indoors, wipe surfaces regularly with a damp cloth and mop floors.
- Once every 2 weeks you need 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 be periodically subjected to anthelmintic treatment.
Are worms transmitted - if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are not followed, all family members can become infected.