Worms (helminths) are parasitic worms that enter the human body, causing harm to health, and the diseases caused by them are helminthiasis. More than 300 species of these parasites have now been identified. Helminth infections are widespread, but especially in areas with warm, humid climates. The risk group for them includes children aged 5 to 15 years. They often have roundworms and pinworms. This is explained by the desire of children to get to know the outside world, low immunity to helminths and insufficient acidity of gastric juice. The main habitat of helminths is the intestine.
They enter the human body through the integumentary tissue, when they ingest eggs, worm larvae with water and food. From mature eggs, larvae are formed in the digestive tract. They enter the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and are transported to the liver, gallbladder, bronchi, lungs, heart and brain. In the process of coughing up sputum and swallowing saliva, the worms end up back in the intestines of a person. There, after 70-75 days, they will be able to reproduce.
From damage caused by eggs or larvae to the appearance of mature helminths lasts up to 3 months - the initial stage of the disease. From the moment the adult is formed, the late phase begins. Worms in the human body live in the intestines for up to a year and lay eggs there, which pass into the environment through defecation.
Types of worms
There are several types of worms:
- Roundworms (roundworms) - roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms.
- Tapeworms (tapeworms) - pork tapeworm, broad tapeworm.
- Trematodes (flukes) - lung and liver flukes, feline flukes.
In addition, helminthiasis differs in the characteristics of development and infection:
Geohelminthiasis. Parasite eggs are found in the soil and enter the human body with unwashed fruits and poor personal hygiene.
Biohelminthiasis. These types of worms have an intermediate host: dogs, fish and crustaceans. The defeat of humans, the final host of parasites, is associated with the consumption of poor-quality fish or contact with animals.
Causes of worms in humans
Worm eggs are often carried into the home on the paws and fur of pets that are walked or released outside. The most common cause of helminthiasis is a violation of personal hygiene rules. For example, a person forgot to wash their hands after leaving the house, in the bathroom or before eating.
The risk of helminthiasis increases if you have the habit of sucking your fingers, biting your nails, or holding a pen or pencil in your mouth.
Poor-quality washing of plant products causes serious harm to health.
Helminthiasis can occur when drinking raw water, as well as when washing food with water from an untested source.
The cause of helminthiasis can be fish or meat if the technology for their preparation is violated. If beef is not cooked properly, you can contract bovine tapeworm; if the fish is not treated properly, wide tapeworm infection is possible; if the pork is undercooked, the risk of pork tapeworm infection is high.
Worms can even be found indoors if they are rarely cleaned with water and people walk on them without taking off their outdoor shoes.
Helminthiasis can be contracted by a sick person through bedding, dishes or close contact.
The causes of morbidity are associated with violation of hygiene rules, poor care of domestic dogs and cats, and poor food hygiene. If these factors are excluded, the probability of contracting helminth infection is minimal.
Signs of worms in humans
Helminthiases are acute and chronic. The former lead to an allergic reaction. Patient complaints show signs of allergy and intoxication:
- weakness and fatigue;
- itching and skin rash;
- dyspnea;
- cough without phlegm;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- increased gas formation in the intestine.
In case of chronic helminth infection, the manifestations are varied and are linked to the location of the worms, their number and the characteristics of the human body's immune response. The most common symptoms of worms are:
- weakness, increased fatigue;
- increased body temperature;
- darkening of the skin under the eyes;
- urticaria;
- appetite disorders;
- nausea;
- odor from the mouth;
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss;
- perianal itching;
- presence of worm fragments in the stool.
Furthermore, there may be disturbances in the functioning of the organs affected by helminths. For example, when parasites are found in the liver or gallbladder, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and yellowing of the skin are typical. If helminths have penetrated the lungs, bronchitis and asphyxia are possible. Roundworms can cause myocarditis and heart failure. Children who are repeatedly diagnosed with worms often suffer from ARVI, stomatitis, gingivitis, and girls have vulvovaginitis.
A characteristic symptom is bruxism (nocturnal teeth grinding). With helminthiasis, the nervous system suffers: a person experiences increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced tolerance to physical activity and sleep disturbances.
Against the background of worms in the body, the immune defense suffers, then fungal, pustular skin diseases, caries, allergies and concomitant diseases are added are more serious.
If helminthiasis is not treated timely, the larvae of the parasite damage blood vessels, intestines and all vital organs. This affects the condition and well-being of the patient.
The products that the larvae secrete during their life poison the human body. They cause local allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Worms feed on proteins, minerals and vitamins from the human body. In children, this can cause developmental delays. Hookworms and whipworms feed on the blood of the host, i. e. humans, and cause anemia.
In the case of mass reproduction of worms in the human body, disruption of the intestinal microflora and incomplete closure of the lumen of the intestine and bile ducts are possible. This is a possible cause of appendicitis, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.
When to go to the doctor
Helminthiasis must be treated immediately. In the human body, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the intestine. They secrete foods that are harmful to the digestive tract. Without treatment, worms can enter the brain, lungs and other organs.
It is advisable to make an appointment with a qualified gastroenterologist if you have the following signs of pathology:
- lethargy, malaise;
- allergic reaction, for example, skin rash, bronchial asthma;
- a person eats a lot or a little;
- nausea and vomiting appear, but there are no signs of poisoning;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- weight loss with good appetite;
- poor sleep;
- increased body temperature;
- muscle and joint pain without physical activity;
- enlargement, inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- bruxism;
- worms in stool;
- itching in the perianal area.
If a helminth infestation is suspected, the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes are palpated. The listed organs can be enlarged.
In case of helminthiasis, general blood test shows leukocytosis, eosinophilia and increased ESR.
Helminthic diseases are most accurately detected 3 months after onset, when helminths become sexually mature individuals. For the purposes of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, laboratory tests are indicated:
- perianal scraping for pinworm eggs;
- stool analysis for worm eggs;
- coprogram.
Sputum, urine, vomit, contents of the duodenum and pieces of skin are used as material for examination and diagnosis.
To identify intestinal helminthic diseases, allergy tests are performed. Changes in internal organs are detected using:
- X-ray of the lungs.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver.
- Computed tomography of the internal organs.
- Colonoscopy.
- Esophagogastroscopy.
Sometimes it is not easy to identify helminthiasis in humans, since the worms lay eggs irregularly. To detect them, it is important to take material for research during the breeding season of helminths. Antibodies against worms are detected in the blood 2 months after infection. So they are not detected in the bloodstream but accumulate in the intestinal wall. Diagnosis is also difficult given the variety of clinical signs. Often specialists prescribe research and treatment based on indirect symptoms of helminthiasis.
Folk remedies against parasites
A widely known popular method for treating worms is pumpkin seeds. This product is suitable for children and adults. This product contains cucurbitins, which negatively affect the vital activity of helminths. However, it will not be possible to completely cure parasites with pumpkin seeds alone. If you don't see a doctor or get checked out, you can have complications, because the worms multiply quickly. They are especially dangerous when they affect internal organs and the brain.
How to get rid of worms: Traditional medicine can be used in addition to the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Tansy infusion.Pour 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers in 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid, leave for 20 minutes, filter. Take the cooled infusion 3-4 times a day, 4 tablespoons. The first dose is in the morning on an empty stomach, then 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.
Absinthe infusion.The bitter taste of this plant irritates the receptors in the oral cavity, promoting the formation of gastric juice, bile and pancreatic enzymes. This plant contains chamazulene, which has a laxative and anti-inflammatory effect. It negatively affects the life cycle of helminths and has an anthelmintic effect.
To prepare the infusion, dried wormwood is ground in a coffee grinder. Then 2 teaspoons of plant material are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and left in a thermos for 6-8 hours. Then the infusion must be filtered. Take 100 ml in the morning before meals for 2-3 weeks. The product can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Clove infusion. This spice is widely used in folk medicine. Dried shoots of this plant improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize digestion and increase immunity. Clove infusion is effective against worms.
To prepare it, pour 500 ml of water into 30 g of sprouts and wait for the product to cool completely. Take 1 glass orally before breakfast.
Clove tincture. Pour 30 g of buds into 500 ml of vodka (alcohol). Leave the liquid to infuse in the dark for 2-3 weeks, then filter. Take 1 teaspoon of tincture before meals for 2-4 weeks.
Prevention
To prevent worms in adults, it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is also necessary to instill them in children from the first years of life. These rules include:
- Wash your hands with soap after going outside, coming into contact with animals, using the bathroom and before eating.
- Rinse the fruits and herbs well with water and rinse them with boiling water.
- Fish and seafood should be heat treated for a long time.
- Use safe, high-quality water for domestic purposes.
- It is necessary to use hygiene products, individual dishes, towels and linen.
- For drinking, you can use boiled, filtered water.
- Inside, you should regularly clean the surfaces with a damp cloth and wash the floors.
- Once every 2 weeks you need to wash the floors with detergent.
How to remove worms - in spring and autumn it is recommended to prevent helminthiasis with broad-spectrum anthelmintic agents. Pets should also be periodically subjected to anthelmintic therapy.
Worms are transmitted: if the rules of personal hygiene and prevention of helminthiasis are violated, all family members can become infected.