Unfortunately, even in modern developed times there is a risk of helminth infection. To be able to treat and prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary to at least familiarize yourself with the main types of worms.
Types of worms
In medical sources, where you can find an answer to the question of what types of worms a person has, they provide data on a huge variety of varieties. Of course, some types are the most common. According to the classification, they can be divided into 3 main types. These are: roundworms and tapeworms, as well as flukes.
roundworms
The first in the list of types of worms in humans is to indicate roundworms. They are also known as nematodes. They got their name because of the structure of the body, because if you make a cross section of an individual, you can see the resulting roundness. Despite the fact that there are more than 20 thousand of their species in the world, only a few of them are commonly found in humans.
The most common roundworms include:
- A round worm. These worms are quite large in size. They can reach half a meter in length. The width varies between 4-5 cm. The color is usually pink, but in different cases it can be more white or more red. These helminths are mainly located in the small intestine, but in rare cases they can also be in the bile ducts. At the same time, the larvae quite easily move around the body, through the bloodstream. Their final stop is the lungs. It is here that there are the most favorable conditions for their maturation, since this type of parasite belongs to anaerobes. When they become more viable, they move into the intestines. Roundworms have a long lifespan which can be 12-14 months. Outside the human body, these worms live in soil conditions where they lay several thousand eggs daily;
- Pinworms. It is most common in children, as the cause of infection can be poorly washed hands or products. A little less often they enter the body with dust particles. Their size is much smaller than that of roundworms. Males reach up to 3 mm in length, and females - up to 13-14 mm. The color is completely white. Their favorite habitat is the beginning of the large intestine. The eggs are laid in the anus, closer to the anus. Their life span is also much shorter than that of roundworms and is only a few months.
- Trichinella. These modest-sized worms, which reach only 4 mm in length, most often enter the living human organism as part of infected meat. Larvae live in muscle tissue, mainly in oculomotor and masticatory tissues, but adults prefer to be located in the intestine. Trichinella is dangerous for humans because without proper treatment it can be fatal.
Tapeworm
The tapeworm is characterized by a flat body structure and complete absence of the gastrointestinal tract. The length of individuals can reach several meters, which is why they look like a long strip. They prefer to live in the intestines or stomach canals. Among them are the following types:
- Whipworm. This is one of the largest varieties of tapeworm. The length of an individual can reach 15-20 meters. The worm adheres to the surface of the small intestine and begins to absorb the substances needed by a person. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, he can live up to 10 years. Infection usually occurs by eating contaminated, undercooked meat;
- Dwarf tapeworm. It gets its name because of its small size, which is an average of 4-5 mm. You can get infected with such a tapeworm through poorly washed vegetables and even dirty hands;
- Wide ribbon. Another great sight. Its length can be up to 10 meters, the width is usually greater than that of other worms. Larvae enter the body of an infected fish and grow to an adult in just 3. 5 weeks. It lives mainly in the small intestine. Life span can reach tens of years;
- Echinococcus. Small worms, usually no more than 5 mm in length. The infection occurs from infected animals: cats and dogs. This species differs in that individuals are not localized in the intestines, but in the lungs or liver. They are dangerous because they can provoke the formation of cysts, which later require surgical removal.
These worms can be very harmful to the body, so the earlier they are found, the better.
flukes
Flukes, like tapeworms, are flat parasites due to their body structure. They are also called liver worms because their main habitat is the liver and bile ducts. Their main types are:
- Fluke. Also known as cat fluke. It lives mainly in rivers and lakes, which means that it enters the human body along with infected fish that has undergone poor processing. Pets can act as a carrier. Individuals are quite small and rarely reach 12-13 mm. Inside a person, they can live in absolutely any organ;
- chinese or oriental fluke. It is characterized by a transparent red shade of the body and a small size, no more than 2. 5 cm. It enters the human body, identical to the common moth. Can lay more than 3. 5 thousand eggs daily;
- Fasciola. It is a larger flatworm, its length can be 5-7 cm. It is only viable in freshwater conditions. Dies in salty springs. A person can become infected with fasciola by drinking raw contaminated water, for example while bathing, and also by eating plants. The risk is especially high if they are aquatic or wild species.
Liver flukes, although small in size, can be dangerous to humans. The patient, in addition to the standard symptoms, may develop a fever.
The simplest organisms
The simplest organisms have existed on earth for millions of years. To date, science relies on more than 14. 5 thousand species. Like other parasites, their favorite habitat is soil, water in reservoirs and, of course, the human body. They can remain for some time on the surface of vegetables and fruits, the use of which often causes infection.
In the majority of cases, when it comes to infecting a person with protozoa, Giardia is meant. Their vitality is enviable. They withstand even the most unfavorable environmental conditions.
In their structure, they are distinguished by the presence of four pairs of flagella and a special disk that performs a suction function. Thanks to them, Giardia reliably adheres to the inner surface of the intestine and begins to parasitize.
Manifestation symptoms
The fact that worms have appeared in the human body can be understood by a huge number of signs. But most of them are of a general nature, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. This can confuse the patient, forcing him to look for the cause in other diseases.
So the patient can notice in himself during this period:
- Fatigue, malaise, tiredness;
- pallor of the skin;
- Dizziness and sometimes headache;
- Increased anxiety, irritability. Expressed aggressiveness can be seen in children;
- Worsening of sleep. Usually worries about insomnia;
- Joint pain, feeling of pulling muscles;
- Increased salivation.
Fatigue is one of the signs of worms.
The following signs reminiscent of an allergic reaction or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can mislead the patient:
- Yellowing of the skin;
- Body rash;
- Attacks of bronchial asthma;
- Stool disorders: constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- A feeling of nausea, as well as vomiting;
- Pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium;
- Slightly elevated body temperature.
But the more typical symptoms of this situation, because of which people most often begin to suspect that they have parasites, are:
- Weight loss for no apparent reason. At the same time, it becomes very difficult to return the lost kilograms;
- Itching in the anus;
- Bruxism. This phenomenon is expressed in teeth grinding during sleep.
Despite the fact that there are many signs of the presence of parasites in the body, sometimes this phenomenon is completely asymptomatic, and therefore people may not be aware of it for months.
Diagnosis
Identifying helminths in the body is not easy. The standard procedure in this case is to examine the feces for eggworm. I must say that sometimes, in order to find worms in the feces, it may be necessary to do an analysis from 3 to 5 times.
How to identify certain types of worms, only a doctor knows. It is impossible to do this yourself without test results. Depending on the symptoms present, the doctor may prescribe the following examination procedures:
- Blood analysis. In this case, the number of indicators such as proteins and eosinophils is analyzed;
- Analysis of scrapings from the anus;
- Vaginal scraping analysis.
In addition, additional measures may be necessary in some cases. As:
- Examination of sputum;
- Examination of the composition of urine and bile;
- endoscopy;
- CT;
- Ultrasound procedure.
After identifying the parasites, the doctor draws up a treatment plan.
Treatment
Self-treatment of parasites is not allowed. This is due to the following factors:
- The preparations contain a different active substance, which means that they have a harmful effect on different types of helminths;
- Some drugs are able to destroy only worm larvae, but not adults;
- All medications have some side effects.
In this regard, it is necessary to select drugs based on the results of diagnostic procedures.
Preparations may have the following active ingredients:
- mebendazole. Affects only roundworms;
- Diethylcarbamazine. Medicines based on it are prescribed if there are filaria in the patient's body;
- Levamisole. It has a wide range of action. Kills both pinworms and roundworms as well as other worms;
- Hydroxysinaphtoate bephenia. Effectively fights roundworms;
- Albendazole. Necessary in the treatment of diseases caused by echinococci;
- Piperazine adipate. It is used to remove roundworms and pinworms from the body.
Traditional medicine also does not stand aside in this matter. He offers various ways that cannot always completely cleanse the body of parasites, but at least they are able to slow down their reproduction and development.
Examples of such methods are:
- Pumpkin seeds. They are taken in pure form or a decoction is made on their basis;
- Watermelon seeds. Apply similar to pumpkin;
- Tincture of wormwood;
- Tincture of alcohol and wormwood juice;
- Garlic;
- gorse;
- Sand Immortal.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that before using folk methods, you must get approval from your doctor and, of course, rule out an allergic reaction to the components used.
What are dangerous worms for humans
Worms do not just live in the human body, they literally parasitize, take away useful substances, and also suck blood. The body experiences a state of intoxication. The result of a long stay of helminths inside a person can be such negative consequences as:
- Weakening of the immune system;
- Disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Poor digestibility of food, the appearance of ulcers;
- The development of allergies;
- formation of cysts;
- Damage to the organs in which they live.
And remember that some types of parasites are very, very dangerous. Ignoring their presence can lead to the worst outcome.
Prevention
Most people encounter worms at least once in their lives. Children are particularly affected by this. And this is quite justified, in addition to the fact that they have a weaker immunity compared to adults, they also often ignore the rules of hygiene.
In general, the methods that help reduce the risk of infection are not complicated at all. They mean by themselves:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. Hands should not only be rinsed, but thoroughly washed with soap;
- Vegetables, fruits, fruits should be washed thoroughly with water;
- Any meat: livestock, poultry or fish must be washed very well before cooking. Heat treatment should also be thorough. It is not worth taking risks and cooking meat with blood if there is no confidence in its quality and safety;
- Periodic anthelmintic prophylaxis in children. It is best to do this by consulting a doctor;
- Livestock and pets are also subject to drug prophylaxis. At the same time, it makes no difference whether they live in the yard of a private house or in the room itself. If a dog or cat eats raw meat, then worm prevention must be carried out without fail.
Such procedures will help you not to meet with parasites for as long as possible.