Approximately 80% of the planet's inhabitants are infected with various worms.Diseases whose real cause is parasites often take a long time to treat, but the results are not ideal.Worms that can live in humans can destroy the integrity of blood vessel walls, block intestinal lumens, and damage internal organs.They produce toxic substances that enter the bloodstream.
What worms do humans have?
Worms live in the intestines or in any other organ.There are several species, the most common being nematodes.Their bodies have an elongated, rounded cross-sectional shape that narrows at the ends.Infections occur more frequently than other conditions:
- Roundworms and Trichinella spiralis, which colonize the small intestine and other organs;
- whipworms that live in the large intestine and feed on blood and mucus;
- Pinworms accumulate in the cecum and colon.
Pinworms are especially likely to be found when children undergo a stool test for pinworms.
In addition to the parasites listed, there are over a hundred less common parasites that inhabit different parts of the intestines.In humans, for example, worms such as hookworms and roundworms are present in the details; thicker sections are often clogged with whipworms.Humans become hosts for adult tapeworms, which have a flat and elongated body.Large bovine and pork tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococci inhabit the intestines.
Flukes have suckers on their bodies that range in length from a few millimeters (Siberian fluke) to 7 centimeters (Fasciolia).The parasite is transmitted to humans by eating raw fish and uncooked water.Sometimes worms (schistosomiasis) can be contracted through the skin while swimming in lakes and rivers.Once settled, they can feel good about every organ in their body for years.
Mode of infection
Different types of worms have different entry routes.The main route of parasitic infection is fecal-oral transmission.It is associated with the intrusion of worms with food and water.When people forget to wash their hands before eating, they ingest invisible organisms.Worms in feces are rarely visible to the naked eye.But the flies that hover over feces always carry their eggs with them.If insects land on food, the chances of infection are greatly increased.
Worms develop in humans after handling soil or sand without gloves.In the latter case, the sandbox is a favorite place for small children to play, and they are more likely to become infected with parasites.Worms reach the soil surface along with the droppings of cats, dogs, livestock and other animals, and are carried by flies.They enter the body through unwashed hands, microtrauma on the skin and under-processed vegetables.It is also possible to become infected by inhaling street dust that is filled with tough larvae.
Another factor that contributes to the emergence of worms is the use of poor quality water.Swallowing liquids while swimming in the sea, river or lake is highly undesirable.It contains large amounts of parasites from fish, waterfowl and livestock feces.If a person eats raw fish or meat, there is a chance that an infection may occur, in which parasites – bovine tapeworm, pork tapeworm, tapeworm – can take up residence in the body.Medical reference books contain pictures of worms, which can reach several meters in length.
Symptoms and signs of worm infection
After becoming host to the parasite, people begin to rapidly lose weight, feel tired, and look pale.Indicates the presence of worms:
- pain all over the body;
- joint pain;
- general weakness;
- Loss of appetite;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- Nausea attacks.
But in order to determine whether parasites are present in the body, an examination is necessary.It will help identify worms in the stool or special antibodies in the blood.
If left untreated, symptoms will worsen.Symptoms of the disease vary depending on which worms are dominant in the body and where they accumulate.When bile ducts become clogged with parasites, bile becomes stagnant.The person feels heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium and a bitter taste in the mouth.Suffer from nausea and constipation on a regular basis.
Many worms secrete substances that irritate the intestinal wall - diarrhea occurs and the stool is watery and frothy.In addition to this, patients experience increased gas formation, abdominal rumbling, and pain in the navel area.
Once the worms enter the body, they are able to migrate.Their progress was accompanied by severe pain.Most commonly, people with helminthiasis think their arthritis has gotten worse.In fact, the unpleasant sensations caused by worms are the body's response to tissue damage.
A person will experience a state of apathy, his concentration will decrease and he will have problems with his memory.This happens if the parasite remains in the body for a long time.The body has previously developed unusual allergies or intolerances to certain foods.Worms become the main culprit of skin problems.The most common:
- Acne and pimples spread all over the body;
- Urticaria, atopic dermatitis, eczema;
- Premature wrinkles form;
- Hair loss, bald spots.
More frequent runny noses, bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia are likely caused by worms migrating through the bloodstream.Sometimes the parasite settles in the lungs, where it lays eggs, which mature into mature individuals.In X-rays and scans obtained after tomography, the worms look like round or oval focal darkenings.
The worms' toxic waste enters the bloodstream causing people to complain of:
- Persistent anxiety and irritability;
- frustrated;
- Insomnia.
Obesity and underweight are both common symptoms of worms.Digestive problems and intoxication can cause loss of appetite.A person loses weight.The long-term presence of parasites can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels and constant hunger.At the cellular level, the lack of nutrients is compensated for by the accumulation of adipose tissue.
drug treatment
For several reasons, it is not recommended to treat helminthiasis without consulting a specialist.First, it is not always possible to identify parasites, even when stool is analyzed multiple times.To determine exactly which type of worm has colonized your body, you must undergo a more detailed examination, including:
- General blood tests with leukemia formula;
- Blood chemistry tests (liver tests);
- Stool and rectal mucus analysis.
Sometimes, to detect colonized worms in the body, it is necessary to examine bile, sputum, and small areas of skin.
Treating worms in adults or children on your own is a questionable idea.The drug is very toxic.At the same time, many of them have effects on specific species without affecting others.
If test results show the presence of worms in someone's stool, or if the presence of parasites is confirmed through other diagnostic procedures, infectious disease doctors choose the most effective medication.The doctor who prescribes the medication must specify the exact frequency and dosage required based on the patient's weight.Treatment of worms is carried out:
- albendazole;
- Vice purple quantum line group;
- Medamin;
- Mebendazole;
- pyrantel.
The deworming process is also supplemented by detoxifiers (adsorbents), anti-allergic drugs and vitamins.
Precautions
Considering that worms are easily spread by animals or infected people, every effort should be made to prevent their occurrence.To do this, you must strictly observe hygiene practices.An important factor in preventing worms is the proper preparation of food ingredients.
Doctors recommend preventive procedures every spring and fall to get rid of worms.Even if a person has no obvious symptoms of infection.Medications work best if all family members take them as recommended by their doctor.Most parasites are so small that when examining stool or other biological material, you can only see a few pictures of the worm eggs, which are taken with a powerful microscope.