The modern rhythm of life often does not allow us to pay attention to minor illnesses: increased fatigue, dizziness, pain in the joints and intestines.We often associate minor ailments with overtiredness, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety.But few people think that such diseases can be caused by worms (helminths), which 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 an adult or a child depend on many factors, but in any case, the presence of parasites in our body causes discomfort and disgust, so it is very important to identify the parasite as quickly as possible and carry out appropriate treatment to remove it.
What is a helminth infestation?
Worms in humans or the medical term "helminthic infestation" is a large group of diseases that develop after the penetration of parasites into the human body.According to medical indicators, it is 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 retained in the human body with the help of special organs: suction cups, hooks and spikes.They feed on tissue juices or nutrients found in the blood.
In the course of their lives, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the blood, lymph and then spread throughout the body, penetrating the internal organs and systems, where they disrupt 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 to human health and life.It is important to remember that worms, after entering the body, use our "resources" for their vital functions, causing numerous disturbances in the functioning of the entire organism.
In the initial stage, the symptoms of worms are blurred or completely absent.In such cases, the detection of parasites is quite difficult and is possible only when a person is attentive to his health, notices the smallest violations and takes measures to eliminate them.
Types of worms parasitizing the human body
Over 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 in human tissues or internal organs: cysticercosis, paragonimosis, echinococcosis, filariasis and others, which can affect the brain, liver, lungs, joints, etc.
- Cavity worms - live in the small or large intestines: tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms.
Worms do not have the ability to reproduce in the human body.The life span of some parasites is a few weeks (horseflies), but some individuals can live for years (roundworms, tapeworms) and reach large sizes.The lifespan of cavitary worms is most often increased due to reinfection.Symptoms of worms in an adult or a child directly depend on the number of helminths in the body, their type, the general state of 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, lack of personal hygiene when working with soil.
- Swimming in water bodies.
- Domestic or street animals - cats, dogs - are frequent 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 the necessary heat treatment - the main source of infection with tissue worms.In addition to meat products, worms can also be found in dairy products, fish meat and canned goods.
- Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene is the main cause of worms in children, who, while playing or walking on the street, often put their dirty hands in their mouths and rub their eyes with them.
Infection with helminthic invasion can occur in another way.Once a parasitic disease is diagnosed, identifying the source of infection is difficult and almost impossible.
The first signs of helminth invasion
Once parasites enter the human body, they encounter the barriers of the immune system, which recognizes them as foreign agents.If the immune system is strong, then there is every chance that the helminths will not penetrate the body or will be quickly destroyed.In cases where a person's immunity is weak, he cannot resist parasites that penetrate the intestines without barriers, develop and turn into adults.After some time, when the parasites turn into adults, they begin to release large amounts of toxins that poison the human body.The waste products of the worms enter the blood and spread throughout the body, causing the first signs such as:
- periodic headache;
- increased fatigue;
- appetite increases or decreases;
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- anal itching;
- sleep disorder;
- increased sensitivity to allergens;
- increased irritability.
Symptoms of worm infestation in an adult or child negatively affect the state of the immune system;skin rashes due to worms are also noted, which are 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, after the test results, do not note significant abnormalities and give a referral or recommend an examination for worms.
Symptoms of worms in humans
Symptoms of helminths in an adult or a child 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 the 2nd-4th day.The clinic is always erased and is accompanied by a general malaise of the body.In other cases, when an infection with parasites has occurred, the first signs can appear after 2 - 3 weeks, and if a person is infected with filariasis, then the incubation period lasts up to 18 months.Let's look at the main symptoms of parasitic diseases, which are noted along with signs of helminthic invasion (listed above) caused by a certain helminth:
- Horseflies or enterobiosis - cause itching in the anal canal, which intensifies at night, grinding of teeth during sleep.
- Trichocephalosis, diphyllobothriasis, schistosomes lead to the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia, contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
- Ascaris - increased body temperature up to 37.5 degrees, dry cough with sputum discharge.Laboratory tests show an increased number of eosinophils and allergic rashes appear.In case of severe infestation, bronchitis may develop with attacks of suffocation and pneumonia.In addition, gastrointestinal disturbances and rapid and significant weight loss occur.
- Trichinellosis - causes muscle pain, fever, swelling of the eyelids and limbs.
- Fascioliasis, Giardia, opisthorchiasis - affect the liver, causing symptoms of jaundice.He has an enlarged spleen, neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Urogenital schistosomiasis - causes diuretic disorders, characterized by the release of blood during urination.
In addition to the above symptoms that may be present with a helminth invasion, 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 complete examination of the body with all tests for helminthic invasion.Only then can the parasite be identified and all treatment methods aimed at eliminating it and restoring the functioning of the internal organs.
Worms are so dangerous
Worms in children - symptoms often lead to reduced 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 lead to intestinal obstruction and disorders of the nervous system.Worms significantly reduce immunity, which makes the human body defenseless against other diseases of infectious or non-infectious origin.In more severe cases, the worms can cause brain damage and even death in humans.
Helminth Invasion Test
Probably, each of us is interested in the question: do I suffer from a helminth invasion?We offer you 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 skin rashes?
- Do you get frequent headaches?
- Do you often feel sick?
- Do you often worry about bowel movements: bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea?
- Do you have a restful and sound sleep?
- Do you notice puffiness in your legs, body or under your eyes in the morning?
- Do you suffer from bronchial asthma?
- Do you notice enlarged lymph nodes?
- Do you often experience bitterness in your mouth?
- Do you tire easily?
- Do you feel a slight and unmotivated 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 due to a good appetite?
You must answer: yes or no.If you have 8 positive answers, then there is a risk of helminthic invasion.In cases where there are more than 12 positive responses, there is a high probability of a parasitic disease.In such cases, you should consult an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist as soon as possible, take a stool test for worm eggs and a general blood test.The test results will help confirm or reject helminth infestation.
Methods of treatment of helminthic infestations
Currently, there are many ways to treat worms in children and 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 removing worms is currently called deworming, which consists in 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 is important to remember that you cannot treat worms on your own, which at best will not bring results, and at worst will lead to complications, since all drugs for worms have a large number of contraindications and side effects.