Helminths can parasitize any person. It doesn't matter if you are young or old. Many parasites living in the human body are quite easy to detect with regular medical examinations. Many helminths enter the body through the anus and enter the environment. This occurs during the breeding season and when the female lays eggs. During a full laboratory examination, it will be possible to determine the type of parasites, their number and life expectancy.
Infection with worms
If we talk about children, then they still do not understand the need to always follow the rules of personal hygiene, they are always learning the world. They are often in contact with foreign contaminated objects. However, even conscious adults are often infected with helminths, following all the rules of hygiene and knowing the serious consequences that can occur after the parasites enter the body.
Ways of infection with helminthiasis:
- in contact with stray animals;
- in public places. A large number of bacteria can be found in handles, vehicles, supermarkets, door handles and banknotes;
- in summer in pools and open reservoirs;
- through poorly processed food;
- helminths can enter the body from contaminated soil through the outer layer of the epidermis;
- insects often become carriers of infection;
- very dusty rooms. Infection can occur through the respiratory tract;
- Squeezing hands and using a towel can cause infection;
- Failure to follow personal hygiene rules can lead to worm infections.
Contact with stray animals and pets is one of the most common ways to get parasites.
Therefore, do not forget to wash your hands with soap and water after going to public places. Avoid dirty rooms, use antibacterial wipes to disinfect your hands.
Types of worms that can be found in the human body
Helminths in the body can be recognized on the basis of a number of symptoms and forms of parasitic behavior specific to a particular disease. Their life cycle and developmental characteristics are of great importance. The general signs of the life activity of worms in the human body, how long they can live in the gut, and diseases caused by various organs and systems are also determined.
The human body can contain the following types of worms:
- nematode. Refers to roundworms. Mainly parasitizes in the intestines. The average lifespan of nematodes is about 40 years. In many cases, there is a defeat of the stomach and respiratory system with roundworms. The most popular representatives are: pinworms, roundworms and whipworms;
- ribbon worms. Initially, they are located in the intestines. In addition, they can spread throughout the body. Life expectancy is about 20 years. Some individuals can be up to 10 meters long. Representatives: tapeworm, bovine and pork worms;
- scams and flakes. They can affect both internal organs and subcutaneous tissue. This group of parasites is the most dangerous to human health and life.
Each of the presented helminth groups includes the most common types of parasites that infect the human body. Each helminth brings great damage and danger to the full functioning of all vital organs.
Parasitic worms should never be taken lightly. They enter the body with microscopic eggs and larvae and reach impressive sizes. Fighting with adults is often difficult. However, before starting treatment for helminthiasis, it is very important to determine exactly what types of helminths are in the body. For this, laboratory diagnostics are carried out.
The main symptoms of worm infection
Anorexia
Increased appetite is the first sign of parasites in the body. It is often the case that people who chew regularly are advised to undergo appropriate tests. Increased appetite can be caused by other problems, such as metabolic disorders or the functioning of the digestive system. Therefore, you need to give feces to the worms to find out the cause.
However, in the presence of parasites, there are times when a person loses his appetite. There may be other reasons. However, if any unexplained symptoms appear, it is better to consult a specialist immediately.
Lose weight
If a person is healthy and begins to lose weight for no reason, it should be notified immediately. Even if any diet is used, the weight should disappear gradually, not sharply. Rapid weight loss can indicate the presence of parasites in the body.
Helminthiasis is insidious - its symptoms are very similar to many other diseases, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Itching and discomfort in the anal region
Anxiety in the anal area is often considered a sign of hemorrhoids. And few people realize that worms can cause these unpleasant feelings. This is because parasites leave the human body in this way.
Of course, if such feelings arise, it is better to check for the presence of worms and the development of hemorrhoids. This will help determine the tactics of treatment.
Anemia
One of the symptoms of helminthiasis is anemia. People rarely associate these two phenomena because they do not know that anemia can be a sign of the presence of parasites.
Changes in the composition of the blood occur as a result of the absorption of human blood by worms, which leads to a decrease in the level of red blood cells - red blood cells. If a person develops a feeling of weakness or other unpleasant symptoms, a laboratory blood test should be performed. With reduced hemoglobin values, it is recommended that you contact your doctor for a stool examination for the diagnosis of helminthiasis.
Disorders of the digestive system
An important factor in the identification of worms are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. If constipation or diarrhea occurs frequently, it may indicate the presence of parasites in the body.
Symptoms often include heartburn, swelling, and even vomiting. Often such symptoms indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract, but worms can be ruled out only by passing the necessary tests.
Nervous system disorders
Today, everyone is constantly facing stressful situations. People do not associate constant stress with the presence of parasites in the body. Common symptoms of stress and chronic fatigue may indicate the presence of worms in the body. If you feel drowsiness, lethargy, general weakness, irritability, you should consult a doctor.
If they are the cause of disorders of the nervous system, the removal of parasites from the body will eliminate the problems in the nervous system.
Chronic runny nose and cough
It happens that helminths enter the lungs and cause damage to the respiratory system. One of the most common symptoms of helminthiasis is a persistent cough.
If a person is worried about a persistent cough, no sore throat, and no other signs of respiratory illness, it is worth checking for parasites. Cough can be caused by their activity. The same goes for a runny nose, because worms can even penetrate the nasopharynx.
Frequent colds
When there are worms in the human body, immunity is immediately reduced. This is due to the fact that parasites use resources that are vital to normal human life. As a result, in their absence, the body automatically weakens. Persistent colds are a frequent and sure sign of helminthiasis.
It is important to clearly understand that a person with a persistent cold needs to be examined by a doctor and given appropriate tests.
Skin lesions
The presence of helminths in the body often manifests itself on the skin. Plaques or rashes, redness, boils may appear on the skin of the face and body. All these formations can begin to peel. Again, the question of the nature of these rashes may arise, because their appearance is not always associated with helminthiasis.
If cosmetics and medications do not help to get rid of the rash, it is worth checking for parasites.
Strong grinding of teeth during sleep
Obviously, a person does not know whether he is gnashing his teeth during sleep. But anyone can feel such a symptom in someone close. In this case, it is better to see a doctor immediately and undergo all the necessary tests for parasites in the body. The sooner a person starts treatment, the sooner he gets rid of worms.
How can you tell if a child is a parasite?
The process of helminthiasis in a child's body is difficult to diagnose based on the child's words. Since children are still unable to answer questions accurately, the only way to determine if a child has worms is to take a stool test.
However, parents should be aware of the bad symptoms that may indicate the presence of parasites in the child.
First of all, there may be changes in the baby's behavior. He is moody and anxious. On the other hand, if the child becomes sluggish, indifferent, tired quickly, loses interest in games and learning, it is also a cause for concern.
There are a number of symptoms that cannot be identified immediately. Fragile nails and hair, increased saliva, peeling of the skin - all these can be signs of the presence of worms in the body of the child.
The most likely symptom of helminthiasis is itching of the baby's thigh. It often happens that helminths, especially pinworms, come out of the anal passage. This process mainly occurs during sleep. If parents see worms in a child's bowl or utensils, they should see a doctor immediately.
General symptoms of advanced helminthic infestation
Typical signs of long-term presence of worms in the body are general signs of intoxication, along with signs of indigestion, allergic reactions and decreased immune system. These include:
- Skin rashes.
- Lethargy, headache, migraine.
- Feeling of heaviness in the stomach after a meal.
- Painful abdominal cramps.
- Nausea, rarely vomiting.
- Bad breath.
- Weight fluctuations (sudden weight loss or weight gain).
- Anxiety in the anus.
- Diarrhea is replaced by constipation.
- Frequent colds and viral illnesses (as a result of decreased immunity).
- Anemia.
- Painful urination.
- Miscarriages and menstrual disorders in women.
- Children have developmental delays, growth retardation.
- Memory and academic problems.
If you notice at least one of the signs of a worm infection, you should see a doctor immediately.
Helminths cannot live only in the intestines. When the parasites settle in the lungs, the symptoms of the appearance of worms will be as follows: fever, shortness of breath, cough, bloody sputum. There will be an open murmur as you listen to your lungs. Any infection transmitted by airborne droplets is easily transmitted to such a patient.
Echinococci, located in the liver, cause dysfunction of this organ and the appearance of "liver" symptoms.
Thus, worms have a fairly strong negative effect on the whole body, causing various symptoms. Helminthiasis is difficult to respond to drug therapy, so treatment should be started immediately after diagnosis.
Tests for worms
Only laboratory tests will help to accurately determine the presence of worms in the body. Doctors prescribe a number of studies based on the clinical picture and patient complaints. Clinical tests include:
- Scratching is the simplest and most reliable method. A smear is taken from the folds of the anus and determines the presence of helminth eggs;
- fecal analysis is considered non-informative because not every helminth can be found in one material;
- chemical blood test helps to determine the level of hemoglobin and the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
- The PCR test is designed to detect DNA parasites in the blood. It is one of the most accurate research methods. This reaction accurately indicates the type of helminth in the human body and the number of its individuals;
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay involves the study of a patient's blood. In this case, the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies is detected, which suggests that the immune system activates protection against parasites.
In some cases, additional tests are prescribed: ultrasound, tomography and radiography. All organs must be carefully examined, as most helminths can migrate to any part of the human body. In some cases, biopsy material is taken from the affected organs. The diagnosis of the disease will depend on the type of helminths, which organs and how badly affected.
The best medicine for worms
The most effective means of combating worms can be selected only after the exact type of worms is determined. Not all drugs are active against certain classes of worms.
It is very difficult to get rid of parasitic diseases. It is recommended to first take sorbents (for example, activated carbon) in order to remove toxins from the body from the vital activity of parasites that accumulate in large quantities. Then they actually take antihelminthic drugs).
The course of treatment with pills is usually 3 weeks. It is better to consult a doctor before using the drug. Self-medication may not produce the desired results, and sometimes even leads to undesirable consequences.
Taking any medication should always be agreed with your doctor, as there are cases when they are ineffective. If there is an exacerbation of the helminthic infestation, you should see a doctor immediately.
Such treatment includes the use of sorbents and anthelmintic drugs, as well as restorative therapy of all internal organs and systems. To do this, take the following steps:
- injections with ascorbic acid, sodium bicarbonate and vitamin B;
- infusion therapy with glucose solution, saline.
All other medications are prescribed individually depending on the health problems acquired. All treatment procedures should be performed under the strict supervision of the attending physician. Only oral medications can be taken at home. However, they must be taken strictly according to the scheme prescribed by the treating specialist.
Folk remedies for worms in adults
Traditional methods only complement the basic drug treatment. To do this, you need to use only well-proven natural ingredients and recipes. It is better to buy all the ingredients in a pharmacy or from trusted doctors.
Garlic enemas. The solution for the procedure is prepared as follows: 6 cloves of peeled and finely chopped garlic are added to a glass of water. Insist for two hours.
Bitter wormwood extract. A teaspoon of dry crushed mixture is poured into two cups of boiling water. The mixture is well cooled. You can add a spoonful of honey for dessert. Take 3 times a day.
There are many effective folk remedies to combat worms, but all of them should be in addition to the main treatment.
Tapeworms collection. It is taken twice: in the morning and at bedtime. Main ingredients: wormwood, sea buckthorn, wild carrot, mint, valerian. The course of treatment with such a collection is 3 days.
Pumpkin seeds - helps to get rid of tapeworms. Raw seeds are cleaned and crushed well. Pour two cups of water and add a tablespoon of honey. All this is mixed well and take a teaspoon for an hour. After a few hours you need to put a cleansing enema.
Prevention of parasitic diseases
Preventing the appearance of worms in the body is easier than treating it. To prevent the appearance of parasites, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene, know how to properly disinfect living quarters and toilets.
It is recommended to follow a number of other rules to avoid worms:
- fruits and vegetables should always be heat treated;
- be careful when buying seafood, milk and eggs;
- Use only boiled or purified water.
Eating clean hands, well-washed vegetables and fruits, and only proven foods is the key to maintaining good health and preventing helminthiasis.
You should keep your hands clean in the spring, so it is important to carry wet wipes with you and gloves for safety in the winter. If possible, avoid contact with surfaces in public places (transport, shops, toilets). If you have to travel by public transport, then you should wash your hands or wipe them with a damp cloth.
At the pharmacy, you can buy medicine to prevent worms, as well as to remove them if the parasites have already entered the body.
Prescribed drugs should be selected individually by the physician based on the patient's health condition, the chemical composition of the drug and allergic reactions to certain components of a particular person.
Eating clean hands, thoroughly washed vegetables and fruits, and only proven foods is the key to maintaining good health and preventing helminthiasis.