Worm infestations usually cause a person significant discomfort and health problems. Symptoms of worms can be very different: fever, weakness, upset stomach, headache, etc.
Worms - what are they?
As we said above, adult worms traditionally have a stable localization in the body, and their developing forms often migrate to different organs and tissues, and often their path of movement is quite complex. For example, a person becomes infected with ascariasis by eating food contaminated with worm eggs (ascaris eggs grow on the ground).
In the intestinal cavity, roundworm eggs develop into larvae, which enter the blood vessels through the wall of the intestinal tract within a few hours and are carried by the bloodstream to the lungs. Roundworm larvae grow and mature in the lungs. The growing larva slowly bites the adjacent bronchi and crawls along them, first entering the trachea and then the oral cavity, where it is reabsorbed and transported to the intestinal tract.
The roundworm larva, which re-enters the intestinal tract, becomes an adult worm. Lung migration of roundworm larvae is manifested by an abundance of symptoms (cough, asthma attacks, increased body temperature, allergic skin rash), and the presence of a small number of adult worms in the intestinal tract may not be manifested at all.
What are helminthiasis (helmintic diseases) - symptoms of worms
The term "helminthiasis" usually refers to a number of human diseases, the basis of which are various parasitic worms - helminths (another collective name for these parasites - worms).
Unlike diseases caused by bacteria, protozoa or fungi, which are helminths, the number of adult helminths (worms) in the body of an infected person does not increase at once (except in cases of repeated infection). This is due to the fact that worms reproduce only outside the human body.
What are they?
Medicine knows more than a hundred species of helminths. The following are the most common types of worms:
- Pinworms are small worms in the human body up to 12 mm in length. This type of worm is diagnosed in the intestinal mucosa. Parasites enter the body with dust through the respiratory tract and can easily pass from person to person.
- Roundworms are large round worms that are most commonly found in the small intestine. Infection of the body occurs through unwashed hands and food. More often, roundworms are found in the body of children.
- Trichinella - these parasites have a round body no more than 5 mm long and cause trichinosis in the body. Larvae and eggs prefer to be in lightly fried meat (boar, pork, bear). In the human body, Trichinella takes up to 4 days to mature and its life cycle is 40 days. The main purpose of this type of worms is to enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls and settle in the muscles. In addition, the muscles of the respiratory and musculoskeletal system are often affected.
- A pork/beef tapeworm. The length of the parasite's body is 5-6 meters, its larvae hide in the meat of large animals (pigs, cattle). The disease caused by these helminths is called taeniasis and taeniarhynchosis. Both types of tapeworm larvae are whitish vesicles attached to the walls of the small intestine. It takes 3 months for the parasite to reach and form an adult, and the worm develops every day. The total number of segments reaches 2000, the latter "empty" the colon freely. Then the worms leave the body with feces through the anus. The most common and obvious symptom of helminthosis is a disturbed digestive tract, as well as the consumption of large amounts of food, and the patient visually does not gain weight.
- Necator / corn worm. The direct relationship between these parasites is due to the diseases they cause and their biological characteristics. They live in the duodenum and due to their small size (10-15 mm) they move freely in its environment. Larvae can enter the body only through the skin, if a person comes into contact with contaminated soil. The next target of worms is the lungs along with the digestive system. They feed only on blood from the blood vessels of the bite. As a result of the strong activity of these parasites, blood clotting is disturbed. Adults consume blood in the range of 0. 1-0. 35 ml per day.
- Echinococcus. In this case, man acts as an intermediate host, as the ultimate host is wolves, cats and dogs. Animals can become infected through direct contact with contaminated objects or people. As soon as the eggs of the parasite enter the intestine, six-hooked larvae develop, which are medically called oncospheres.
- Whipworms are diagnosed in a person's stomach. These are thin and rather large worms.
You can determine the type of helminths by seeing what color they are in the feces when the worms come out. Infection occurs through vegetables and meat that have not been subjected to sufficient heat treatment. You can prevent infection by following food preparation rules.
How common and dangerous are worms?
Symptoms of worms. The data of modern epidemiological studies showed that one out of every 4 people in the world is infected with worms. The incidence of worms in children is much higher than in adults. In children and adults, worms can be a prerequisite for various acquired diseases of internal organs (gastritis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis, cholecystitis) and can sometimes lead to the development of dangerous complications and death.
According to the World Health Organization and the Global Bank of Diseases, helminthic diseases rank 4th among all other diseases and injuries in terms of economic damage.
There are more than 15 types of worms in our region, the most common of which are enterobiosis (about 90% in the group of patients with helminthic diseases), ascariasis (70%), opisthorchiasis, diphyllobothriasis, trichocephalosis (60%), toxocarosis (60%) andhymenolepiasis. As it is clear from statistical data, almost all sick people (especially children) are infected with several forms of worms at the same time.
Where are worms spread in humans?
Many people believe that worms necessarily live in the intestines, and this is true for some types of helminths. In general, worms can be found in various organs and systems of the human body:
- all types of tapeworms, whipworms and nematodes "settle" in the large intestine;
- trematodes attack the liver and gall bladder;
- Pig tapeworm larvae can spread through the bloodstream to all organs - the subcutaneous fat tissue, the eye chamber and blood vessels in the muscles can be affected.
How do you get worms?
How do worms enter the human body? There are 4 main sources of helminth eggs entering the body:
Geohelminthoses- through the soil (and then water) where the mature eggs of many helminths enter the ground with human or animal faeces, as well as through direct contact with animals and the transfer of eggs to food by flies - from person to person the most common and well-known worms such as pinworms are transmitted, which, the highest risk of infection.
Biohelminthoses- when eating raw, semi-raw or slightly heat-treated meat (pork, beef) or fish infected with helminths (sushi, kebab, dried fish, fat with strips of meat, etc. ), some parasites enter the body through insect bites.
The main mechanism of any infection is most often oral-fecal, that is, a person simply swallows worm eggs with food, water, and less often some helminthic infections occur from the bite of infected insects. Undercooked meat and raw fish are understandable, but how do you get worms through contact and household contact and soil?
Through the land
After any contact with dirt or sand, you should not only wash your hands, but also clean your nails thoroughly, especially for children, it is better to have short cut nails. Food products that grow on the ground - vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, mushrooms, everything connected to the soil require thorough washing under running water and boiling with boiling water. Pets walking on the street, primarily dogs and cats, bring a lot of sewage into the house, and children playing with them are at maximum risk of infection; the animal can easily infect it with any kind of helminths. Flies are also the main carriers of helminths, they are found in public toilets, in places where agricultural livestock live, the flies then quietly land on the feed, spreading their eggs on their wings and paws.
From person to person
Infection of others with pinworms occurs very easily. The female pinworm crawls through the intestine at night and lays up to 5, 000 eggs near the anus, which causes severe itching. Without washing his hands immediately, hundreds of eggs remain on everything he touches - doorknobs, clothes, food, toys. In addition, the infection process is clear, the eggs are also placed on the hands of another child or adult using these items and fall into the mouth of a healthy person without washing their hands before eating.
Through water
Many worm eggs are found in open water bodies and well water. Therefore, those who live in rural areas or in the country should use a bactericidal filter and definitely boil the water, it is also dangerous to swallow the water while bathing in open water.
Everyone knows that worms are mainly a problem for children. Firstly, because they are most susceptible to the development of helminthiasis, because the protective barriers in children's bodies are not properly formed and the acidity of the stomach is lower than that of adults. Secondly, preschool children master the world and try all the objects around them not only with their hands, but also with pleasure. And parents, with all their wishes, can teach their child to strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene only until the age of 3-6 years, without any reminder, which puts not only the baby himself, but also all family members at risk. infection (pinworms).
It is important to remember that no worm can reproduce in the human body, each species has its own time, after which they die, for example, only a few weeks for pinworms, and about a year for roundworms. Eggs laid by adults must be re-entered the body either with faeces or (in the case of pinworms) in the skin near the anus, in the external environment, in the soil, and only then mature outside the human body. , they start being active and parasitizing.
Symptoms of worms
The development of helminthiasis usually occurs in two stages: acute - from two, three weeks to two months, and chronic - from several months to several years.
The acute phase coincides with the time of introduction and development of the parasite and is mainly manifested by an immune response to foreign antigens and allergic reactions. The symptoms of this stage of helminthiasis are similar when different types of parasites are involved.
The chronic stage differs greatly: depending on the location of the worms, their number and lifestyle, disorders in the work of various organs and systems appear. Integrating into the metabolic system, consuming the substances necessary for itself, the parasite causes disorders manifested by disruption of digestion and assimilation of vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals. Waste products of worms not only lead to suffocation of normal intestinal microflora, but also reduce immunity, contribute to the development of chronic bacterial infections, and reduce the effectiveness of preventive vaccines.
The increased risk of malignant tumors is associated with a negative effect on the immune system and the strengthening of cell division (restoration) processes in damaged tissues.
The first signs of the development of helminthosis can appear from 2-3 days (ascariasis) to 1. 5 years (with filariasis). Often this period is 2-3 weeks. At the beginning of the disease, skin rashes, enlargement of lymph nodes, enlargement of the liver and spleen, pain in muscles and joints appear. Some helminthoses are characterized by specific symptoms, for example, jaundice (liver congestion) or fever for opisthorchosis, muscle pain, swelling of the face and eyelids for trichinosis.
In the chronic stage, the presence of single specimens of worms occurs practically without any symptoms, the exception may be the presence of large specimens, for example, tapeworms and roundworms. In the case of a more widespread infection, the symptoms of helminth infections consist of digestive disorders (nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, loose stools) and some specific symptoms. With enterobiosis, for example, it is itching in the anus, which intensifies in the evening and at night.
Hemorrhagic colitis with trichocephalosis. With hookworm - iron deficiency anemia. Ascariasis can cause mechanical obstruction of the intestines and bile ducts. Chronic hepatitis and inflammation of the bile ducts (cholecystitis, cholangitis) develop with helminthosis due to liver damage.
With the development of cysts, helminthoses occupy a special place (liquid formations in the membrane): echinococcosis, alveococcosis, cysticercosis. Even large cysts may not manifest themselves in any way, but their suppuration or rupture causes serious consequences: anaphylactic shock, peritonitis, purulent pleurisy. Helminthosis can be accompanied by symptoms of vegetative-vascular asthenia and neurotic states. Let's consider the most common special cases of helminthosis in more detail.
Diagnosis of worms. Treatment of worms
The main condition for successful treatment with enterobiosis is simultaneous deworming of all family members (or children's team), strict hygiene measures and re-application of drugs 10-14 days after the first one.
Folk remedies for the treatment of worms
Traditional treatment methods include medicinal plants with anthelmintic and laxative effects. Even in ancient times, healers recommended the use of elecampane and celandine juice to remove worms. Carrot and carrot juice also have an anthelmintic effect. You can often find walnuts, pomegranates, mint, and more often - garlic in the form of food components or enemas in traditional medicine recipes. Wormwood decoction is used as an enema or orally. Pumpkin seeds are a remedy recognized by official medicine for worms. In folk medicine, the use of medicinal plants is often combined with saline laxatives. Although the effect of medicinal plants is not so high, they can serve as an adjunct to the prevention or traditional treatment of helminthiasis.
Complications of helminthiasis
Complications of helminthosis are primarily associated with the mechanical effect of the parasite on the organ, tissue destruction sometimes leads to fatal dysfunction of the affected organ. The addition of bacterial infections at mechanically damaged sites is a common complication that masks the presence of the parasite in the body. For impressionable people, the appearance of a parasite (for example, when expelled) can cause serious psychological trauma that requires long-term rehabilitation treatment.
Prevention of worms
It includes timely detection and treatment of sick people and animals, observance of personal hygiene measures (hand washing before eating, thorough washing of food products, laborious heat treatment of food, especially meat and fish).
Frequently asked questions
What signs can indicate that a person has worms?
Symptoms of worms can include constant fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, itching in the anal area, and digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation.
How to determine if a person has worms?
To determine the presence of worms in a person, you can do a stool test for worm eggs, or you can do a blood test for the presence of antibodies against worms. The doctor may also order an ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
What measures can be taken to prevent worm infections?
To prevent infection with worms, it is recommended to wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet. You should also avoid contact with contaminated soil or water, drink only clean drinking water, and cook food properly to destroy possible worm eggs.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Note changes in appetite and weight. If you or your child feel constant hunger or, on the contrary, lack of appetite, this may be a sign of helminthic infection.
Tip #2
Pay attention to the condition of your skin and hair. If you or your child develop a rash, itching, or changes in hair texture (such as brittleness or hair loss), it may be due to worms.
Tip #3
Pay attention to the work of the gastrointestinal tract. If you or your child has frequent abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea, it may be due to a worm infection.