The modern rhythm of life often does not allow us to pay attention to minor ailments: increased fatigue, dizziness, pain in the joints and intestines.We often associate minor ailments with overwork, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety.However, few people think that such diseases can be caused by worms (helminths) that can live in our body for a long time, causing a number of symptoms that we often perceive as signs of other diseases.The symptoms of worms in adults or children depend on many factors, but in any case, the presence of parasites in our body causes anxiety and disgust, so it is very important to identify the parasite as soon as possible and carry out appropriate treatment to eliminate it.
What is a helminthic infection?
In humans, worms or the medical term "helminthic infestation" is a large group of diseases that develop after parasites penetrate the human body.According to medical indicators, it was found that about 80% of the population is infected with worms, but not everyone knows about it.As a rule, human parasites can be found in the intestines or internal organs and tissues of a person.Worms are kept in the human body using special organs: suction cups, hooks and thorns.They feed on tissue juices or nutrients in the blood.
Throughout life, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the blood, lymph, and then spread throughout the body, penetrating internal organs and systems, disrupting their functionality.Modern medicine knows more than a hundred types of helminths that parasitize the human body.Some of them do not cause much harm, while others are quite dangerous for human health and life.It should be remembered that after entering the body, worms use our "resources" for their vital functions and cause numerous disturbances in the functioning of the whole body.
In the initial stage, the symptoms of worms are blurred or completely absent.In such cases, it is extremely difficult to detect parasites and it is possible only if a person pays attention to his health, observes the smallest violations and takes measures to eliminate them.
Types of worms that parasitize the human body
Through many years of evolution, worms have learned to adapt well to the human environment.In parasitology, human worms are divided into two groups:
- Tissue helminths - parasitize human tissues or internal organs: human brain, liver, lungs, joints, etc.
- Cavity worms - live in the small or large intestine: tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms.
Worms do not have the ability to reproduce in the human body.Some parasites live for a few weeks (pinworms), but some individuals can live for years (tubeworms, tapeworms) and can reach large sizes.The lifespan of hookworms is increased mostly due to re-infection.Worm symptoms in adults or children directly depend on the number of helminths in the body, their type, general health and other characteristics of the human body.
How does a worm infection occur?
You can get infected with helminths in several ways:
- Through soil: consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits, non-observance of personal hygiene rules when working with soil.
- Swimming in reservoirs.
- Domestic or street animals - cats, dogs - are often carriers of parasites.Infection can occur both during fun games with pets and through soil or sand.
- Through food - animal meat that has not undergone proper heat treatment - is the main source of infection with tapeworms.In addition to meat products, worms can be found in dairy products, fish, and canned food.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene rules is the main reason for worms in children, who often put their dirty hands in their mouths and rub their eyes when playing or walking on the street.
Infection with helminthic infestation can occur in another way.Once a parasitic disease is diagnosed, it is difficult and almost impossible to determine the source of infection.
The first signs of helminthic infection
After the parasites enter the human body, they encounter the obstacles of the immune system, which recognizes them as foreign agents.If the immune system is strong, then there is every chance that helminths will not penetrate the body or will be quickly destroyed.In cases where a person's immunity is weak, he cannot resist the parasites that enter the intestines unhindered, develop and mature.After a certain time, when the parasites become adults, they begin to secrete large amounts of toxins that poison the human body.The waste products of the worms penetrate the blood and spread throughout the body, causing the first symptoms, for example:
- periodic headache;
- increased fatigue;
- increased or decreased appetite;
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- anal itching;
- sleep disorder;
- increased sensitivity to allergens;
- increased irritation.
Symptoms of worm infection in adults or children negatively affect the state of the immune system;skin rashes due to worms are also noted, often confused with dermatitis.Almost always, when the above symptoms appear, a person does not even suspect the presence of a parasitic disease, but begins to be examined by doctors in other fields of medicine, who do not note any significant abnormalities after the test results and give a way for worms or recommend testing.
Symptoms of worms in humans
Symptoms of helminths in adults or children directly depend on the type of parasite, its location and the intensity of the infection.For example, after being infected with roundworms, symptoms will appear on days 2-4.The clinic is always erased and accompanied by a general disorder of the body.In other cases, when infection with parasites occurs, the first symptoms can appear after 2 - 3 weeks, and if a person is infected with filariasis, the incubation period lasts up to 18 months.Let's consider the main symptoms of the mentioned parasitic diseases with the symptoms of helminthic infestation caused by a certain helminth (listed above):
- Pinworms or enterobiosis - causes itching in the anal canal that intensifies at night, grinds teeth in sleep.
- Trichocephalosis, diphyllobothriasis, schistosomes lead to the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
- Roundworms - an increase in body temperature up to 37.5 degrees, dry cough with sputum production.Laboratory tests show an increased number of eosinophils, and allergic rashes appear.In cases of severe infection, bronchitis may develop with attacks of suffocation and pneumonia.In addition, gastrointestinal disorders and rapid and significant weight loss appear.
- Trichinosis - causes muscle aches, fever, swelling of the eyelids and limbs.
- Fascioliasis, Giardia, opistorchiasis - affects the liver, causes symptoms of jaundice.There is an enlarged spleen, neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Urogenital schistosomiasis - causes urinary disorders characterized by the release of blood during urination.
In addition to the above symptoms that can be present with helminthic infestation, there are also those that threaten human life, affecting the brain, central nervous system, eyes, joints and other organs.It is very important not to look for other diseases, but to undergo a thorough examination of the body with all tests for helminthic infestation.Only then can the parasite be identified, and all treatment methods can be aimed at eliminating it and restoring the functioning of the internal organs.
Worms are very dangerous
Worms in children - symptoms often cause a decrease in appetite, as well as the development of allergic reactions or bronchitis.In advanced forms, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and other serious diseases can develop.Severe forms of parasitic diseases often cause intestinal obstruction and damage to the nervous system.Worms significantly reduce immunity, making the human body defenseless against other diseases of infectious or non-infectious origin.In more severe cases, worms can cause brain damage and even death in humans.
Test for helminthic infestation
Probably, each of us is interested in one question: do I suffer from helminthic infestation?We provide you with a simple test, then count the number of positive responses to the following symptoms, which are most characteristic of parasitic diseases:
- Do you feel itching in the anus?
- Do you have a rash on your skin?
- Do you often get headaches?
- Do you often feel nauseous?
- Are you often worried about bowel movements: bloating, foam, constipation, diarrhea?
- Do you have a restful and healthy sleep?
- Do you feel puffy in your legs, body or under your eyes in the morning?
- Do you suffer from bronchial asthma?
- Do you feel enlarged lymph nodes?
- Do you often feel bitter in your mouth?
- Do you get tired easily?
- Do you feel a slight and unexplained increase in body temperature?
- Does your skin have a yellowish tint?
- Do you snore or grind your teeth in your sleep?
- Did you lose weight because of a good appetite?
You must answer: yes or no.If you have 8 positive answers, then there is a risk of helminthic infestation.In cases where there are more than 12 positive answers, there is a high probability of having a parasitic disease.In such cases, you should consult an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist as soon as possible, perform a stool test for worm eggs and a general blood test.Test results will help confirm or deny helminthic infection.
Methods of treatment of helminthic infection
Currently, there are many ways to treat worms in children or adults.The choice of treatment depends on the attending physician, the type of worm, the age of the patient and other factors.The process of getting rid of worms is currently called deworming, which consists of taking special drugs that must be prescribed by a doctor in each specific case.Worms - symptoms and treatment depend on many factors that the attending physician must take into account.It should be remembered that you cannot treat worms independently, it will not work at best and will cause complications at worst, because all drugs for worms have a large number of contraindications and side effects.