Worm infestations usually cause significant discomfort and health problems to a person. Symptoms of worms can be very diverse: fever, weakness, stomach upset, 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 the path of their movement is quite complex. For example, in ascariasis, a person becomes infected by eating food contaminated with worm eggs (ascaris eggs mature in the ground).
In the cavity of the intestinal tract, ascaris eggs hatch into larvae, which, within a few hours, penetrate the wall of the intestinal tract into the blood vessels and are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream. In the lungs, roundworm larvae grow and mature. The growing larva slowly bites through the adjacent bronchi and crawls along them, first into the trachea, and then into the oral cavity, where it is again swallowed and transferred to the intestinal tract.
The roundworm larva, which re-enters the intestinal tract, transforms into an adult worm. Pulmonary migration of roundworm larvae is manifested by an abundance of symptoms (cough, asthmatic 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 in any way.
What are helminthiasis (helminthic diseases) - Symptoms of worms
The term "helminthiasis" usually means a number of human diseases, the prerequisite of which are various parasitic worms - helminths (another common name for these parasites - worms).
Unlike diseases caused by bacteria, protozoa or fungi, in helminthiasis the number of adult helminths (worms) in the body of an infected person does not increase at one time (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 varieties of helminths. The following are the most common types of worms:
- Pinworms are small worms in the human body that reach a length of up to 12 mm. This type of worm is diagnosed in the intestinal mucosa. Parasites enter the body with dust through the respiratory tract and can easily be transmitted from person to person.
- Roundworms are large round worms that are most commonly found in the small intestine. Contagion of the body occurs through unwashed hands and food. More often, roundworms are found in the body of children.
- Trichinella - these parasites have round bodies no more than 5 mm long and cause trichinellosis in the body. Larvae and eggs prefer to be in poorly fried meat (boar, pork, bear). In the human body, trichinella takes up to 4 days to become an adult, and its life cycle is 40 days. The main purpose of this type of worms is to enter the blood through the intestinal walls and settle in the muscles. In addition, the muscles of the respiratory and musculoskeletal system are often affected.
- Pig/beef tapeworm. The length of the parasite's body is 5-6 meters, and its larvae hide in the meat of large animals (pork, cattle). The disease caused by these helminths is called taeniasis and taeniarhynchosis. The larvae of both types of tapeworm 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 daily. The total number of segments reaches 2000, the ends of which freely "grooves" the large intestine. The worms then leave the body along with the feces through the anus. The most common and obvious symptom of helminthiasis is a disturbed digestive tract, as well as the consumption of food in large quantities, and the patient visually does not gain weight.
- Necator/hookworm. The relationship between these parasites is direct because of the diseases and biological characteristics they cause. They live in the duodenum and due to their small size (10-15 mm) move freely in its environment. Larvae can enter the body only through the skin if a person has been in contact with contaminated soil. The other target of the worms is the lungs along with the digestive tract. They feed only on the blood that comes out of the bitten blood vessels. As a result of the violent activity of these parasites, blood clotting is disturbed. Adults consume blood within 0. 1-0. 35 ml per day.
- Echinococcus. In this case, man acts as an intermediate host, since 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, larvae with six hooks, which in medicine are called oncospheres, immediately develop.
- 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 the worms are in the stool when they appear. Infection occurs through vegetables and meat that have undergone insufficient heat treatment. You can avoid infection by following food preparation rules.
How common and dangerous are worms?
Symptoms of worms. Data from modern epidemiological studies show that every 4 people in the world are infected with worms. The incidence of worm infection is significantly higher in children than in adults. In children and adults, worms can become a prerequisite for various acquired diseases of the internal organs (gastritis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis, cholecystitis) and occasionally lead to the development of dangerous complications and death.
According to the Global Health Organization and the Global Bank of Diseases, helminthic diseases rank 4th in terms of economic damage among all other diseases and injuries.
In our region there are more than 15 types of worms, the most common of which are enterobiosis (about 90% in the group of patients with helminthic diseases), ascariasis (70%), opisthorchosis, diphyllobothriosis, trichocephalosis (60%), toxocariasis (60%) and hymenolepiasis. As the statistics make clear, almost all sick people (especially children) are infected with several forms of worms at the same time.
Where do worms spread in humans?
Many people believe that worms certainly live in the intestines, and for some types of helminths this is true. 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 colon;
- trematodes attack the liver and gall bladder;
- The larvae of the pig tapeworm can spread through the bloodstream to all organs - the subcutaneous fat tissue, the eye chamber and the blood vessels in the muscles can be affected.
How can you get worms?
How do worms enter the human body? There are 4 main sources of helminth eggs entering the body:
Geohelminthiasis- through the soil (and then water), in which there are mature eggs of many helminths that enter the ground with human or animal feces, as well as through direct contact with animals and through the transfer of eggs from flies to food Contact - from person toperson Such well-known and most common worms as pinworms are transmitted, this is the highest risk of infection.
Biohelminthiasis- when consuming raw, semi-raw or lightly heat-treated meat (pork, beef) or fish infected with helminths (sushi, kebab, dried fish, lard with veins, 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 eggs of worms along with food, water, and less often some helminthic infestations occur from bites of infected insects. Undercooked meat and raw fish are understandable, but how can you get worms through contact and household contact and through the soil?
Through the soil
After each contact with dirt or sand, you should not only wash your hands, but also thoroughly clean your nails, it is better to have short trimmed nails, especially for children. Foods that grow in the ground - vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, mushrooms, anything connected to the ground requires thorough washing under running water and scalding with boiling water. Pets, mostly dogs and cats that walk on the street, bring a lot of sewage into the house, and children who play with them are at maximum risk of infection, the animal can easily infect him with all kinds of helminths. Flies are also the main carriers of helminths, found in public toilets, places where farm animals live, flies then calmly land on food, spreading eggs on their wings and paws.
From person to person
With pinworms, infecting others becomes very easy. When a female pinworm crawls out of the intestine at night, she lays about 5, 000 eggs near the anus, which causes severe itching; the child, scratching the itchy area, infects the hands, nails, panties and bedding with them. Without immediately washing his hands, hundreds of eggs remain on all the objects he touches - doorknobs, clothes, food, toys. Also, the infection process is straightforward; eggs are also settled on the hands of another child or adult using these objects, and without washing their hands before eating, they fall into the mouth of a healthy person.
Through the water
A huge number of worm eggs fall into open water bodies and wells. Therefore, those who live in rural areas or in the country should use a bactericidal filter and do not forget to boil water; it is also dangerous to swallow water when swimming in open water.
Everyone knows that worms are a problem mainly in children. First, because they are most susceptible to the development of helminthiasis, since the protective barriers in the child's body are not properly formed and the acidity of the stomach is lower than in an adult. Secondly, children of preschool age, mastering the world, try all the surrounding objects not only with their hands, but also by taste. And parents, with all their desire, can teach their child to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene, without reminders, only until the age of 3-6 years, which puts not only the baby himself, but also all family members at risk. of infection (stings).
It should be remembered that no worms can breed and reproduce in the human body, each species has its own period of time after which they die, for example, for pinworms it is only a few weeks, for roundworms it is about a year. Eggs laid by adults must leave the body either with feces or (in the case of pinworms) on the skin near the anus, in the external environment, in the soil and only after they have matured outside the human body and re-enter it, begin to activate and parasitize.
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 many years.
The acute stage coincides with the time of introduction and development of the parasite and is manifested mainly 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 introduced.
The chronic stage is characterized by great diversity: depending on the location of the worms, their number and way of life, disorders in the functioning of various organs and systems appear. Integrating into the metabolic system, consuming the substances it needs, the parasite leads to disturbances, expressed in disorders of digestion and absorption of vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals. The waste products of the worms lead not only to suppressing the normal intestinal microflora, but also reduce immunity, promoting the development of chronic bacterial infections, reducing the effectiveness of preventive vaccinations.
The increased risk of malignant tumors is associated with a negative effect on the immune system and enhanced processes of cell division (regeneration) in damaged tissues.
The first signs of the development of helminthiasis can appear from 2-3 days (with ascariasis) to 1. 5 years (with filariasis). Most often, this period is 2-3 weeks. At the beginning of the disease, skin rashes appear, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged liver and spleen, pain in muscles and joints. Some helminth infections are characterized by specific signs, such as jaundice in opisthorchosis (liver fluke) or fever, muscle pain, swelling of the face and eyelids in trichinellosis.
In the chronic phase, the presence of single specimens of worms occurs practically without any symptoms, an 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, infrequent stools) and some specific signs. With enterobiosis, for example, it is itching in the anus, which increases in the evening and at night.
Trichocephalosis is hemorrhagic (with bleeding) colitis. With hookworm - iron deficiency anemia. Mechanical obstruction of the intestines and bile ducts may occur with ascariasis. In helminthiasis with liver damage, chronic hepatitis and inflammation of the bile ducts (cholecystitis, cholangitis) develop.
A special place is occupied by helminthiasis with the development of cysts (liquid formations in the membrane): echinococcosis, alveococcosis, cysticercosis. Even large cysts may not manifest in any way, but their suppuration or rupture leads to severe consequences such as: anaphylactic shock, peritonitis, purulent pleurisy. Helminthiasis can be accompanied by symptoms of vegetative-vascular asthenia and neurotic conditions. Let's take a closer look at the most common special cases of helminthiasis.
Diagnosis of worms. Treatment of worms
In case of enterobiosis, the main condition for successful treatment is the simultaneous deworming of all family members (or the children's team), strict hygiene measures and re-administration of drugs 10-14 days after the first.
Folk remedies for the treatment of worms
Traditional treatment methods include medicinal plants that have anthelmintic and laxative effects. Even in ancient times, healers recommended the use of comfrey juice and celandine to expel worms. Carrots and carrot juice also have an anthelmintic effect. Often in the recipes of traditional medicine you can find walnuts, pomegranates, mint and even more often - garlic in the form of a food component or enemas. A decoction of wormwood is used in the form of enemas or orally. Pumpkin seeds are an officially recognized remedy 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 a prophylaxis or supplement to the traditional treatment of helminthiasis.
Complications of helminthiasis
Complications of helminthiasis are primarily related to 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 the sites of mechanical damage is a common complication that masks the presence of the parasite in the body. For impressionable people, the sight of a parasite (e. g. at disposal) can cause serious psychological trauma, requiring long-term rehabilitation treatment.
Preventing worms
It includes timely identification and treatment of sick people and animals, compliance with personal hygiene measures (hand washing before eating, thorough washing of food products, thorough heat treatment of food, especially meat and fish).
FAQ
What symptoms can indicate the presence of worms in a person?
Symptoms of worms can include persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, itching in the anal area, and digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation.
How can you tell if a person has worms?
To determine the presence of worms in a person, you can do a stool test for worm eggs or take 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 precautions can be taken to prevent worm infections?
To prevent worm infection, 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 any possible worm eggs.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Note changes in appetite and weight. If you or your child experiences constant hunger or, conversely, loss of appetite, this may be a sign of a helminth infection.
Tip #2
Pay attention to the condition of your skin and hair. If you or your child develops a rash, itching or changes in the texture of the hair (such as brittleness or hair loss), it may be due to the presence of worms.
Tip #3
Pay attention to the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If you or your child often experiences abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, it may be due to a worm infection.