A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that populate it without asking - and these are worms.Nobody is happy with such coexistence, so urgent measures are taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms, or helminths, are parasitic worms that live on animals and plants, feeding and reproducing inside living organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms.It is assumed that there is not a single adult during whose life not a single worm has settled in his body, says the GP.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures actually exist.
Among all parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, three main groups are distinguished:
- roundworms related to roundworms: pinworms, whipworms, trichinella, roundworms;
- tapeworms or tapeworms related to tapeworms (various types of tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococci);
- trematode parasites, or trematodes, that cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, and other disorders.
Causes of worms in humans
The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.It occurs when worm larvae or eggs enter the human body.
This can happen for the following reasons:
- a person does not follow basic hygiene rules: he does not wash his hands after walking down the street, after visiting guests or after using the bathroom, and does not rinse them before eating.
- The cause of worms in humans is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of worm infection is high if you have pets, especially those that walk on the street.
Even with timely anthelminthic therapy, dogs and cats can spread worm eggs brought in from the street on their paws and fur.
- You can get worms if you don't treat vegetables, fruits, berries and greens that you will eat with hot water.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from an unknown source or wash food with it.
- Improperly processed meat and fish pose a risk of infection.When eating poorly heat-treated beef - bovine tapeworm, pork - pork tapeworm and lightly salted, raw fish, broad tapeworm lives.
- You can get worms in your home if you rarely clean your home, wear outdoor shoes, and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if you share dishes, bedding, or stay in the same room for a long time.
Obviously, most of the causes of the presence of worms in humans are due to failure to comply with hygiene rules.Those who care for themselves, their homes and their pets may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of worms in humans
Treatment of worms in a person is carried out by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult or by a pediatrician if the worms are in a child.
In case of worms, in any case you should not self-medicate: the drugs used in the treatment of helminthiasis are quite difficult for the body.
Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the purpose of which is not only to destroy parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it is unlikely to be possible to manage with anthelmintic drugs alone.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a close circle easily infect each other.
Vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion can be prescribed along with medications.For more effective treatment of worms, a person will have to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, it is necessary to subject them to anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all therapeutic efforts will be in vain.
Which tablets can be used?
Worms are a rather delicate problem, which pushes many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly insists that some pills can instantly solve the problem.
However, many do not notice that in any advertising it is indicated that you need to consult a doctor before use.These are not simple words, we have already said that anti-worm drugs are very serious and can cause damage if taken uncontrollably.
The following are used to treat worms in humans:
- anthelmintic drugs: destroy worms;
- antihistamines, which will help you if you are allergic to parasites that die en masse;
- enterosorbents, which remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid - all will help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- probiotics.
The frequency of taking the drug is determined by an infectious disease doctor, based on the results of a physical examination, complaints and tests of the patient.
Traditional methods of treatment
As a folk remedy for treating worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins which destroy worms.However, you should not rely on the miraculous healing of worms with the help of pumpkin seeds.
Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts and enter the pancreatic ducts.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia, which is a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect helminthiasis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor: a primary care doctor, a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans are:
- malaise, weakness, tiredness;
- allergies, such as skin rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
- decreased or increased appetite;
- nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
- stomach pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
- sleep problems, insomnia;
- inflamed or swollen lymph nodes;
- fever for no reason;
- muscle and joint pain without exercise;
- snoring or grinding your teeth in your sleep;
- presence of worms in the stool;
- itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiasis: acute and chronic.The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Very often during this period a pronounced allergic reaction to helminth occurs.
After about two months the acute phase turns into a chronic phase, and here the symptoms depend on the pathogen that the person has contracted and its habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans
As a rule, we learn the main rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we simply do not follow them:
- You should wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after using the bathroom and after going out.
- It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits, herbs, and after washing, pour boiling water over them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In everyday life it is necessary to use only safe and high-quality water.
- Each family member must have personal hygiene products and utensils with them.
- The house must be kept clean and wet cleaning must be done regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive anthelmintic therapy.