Worms in humans: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

When worms enter the human body, they begin their parasitic activity, which makes the person feel unwell. Helminthic infestations usually cause severe allergic reactions, gastrointestinal diseases and other pathologies not related to the gastrointestinal tract. However, traditional treatment of these diseases does not produce recovery. The presence of worms in humans can be suspected with a high probability based on certain symptoms, but helminthiasis clinically manifests itself only when the worms multiply massively. In case of asymptomatic cases, laboratory tests will help to reliably diagnose helminthiasis. The symptoms of worms in humans can be different, but abdominal pain, discomfort near the anus, nausea and general malaise appear first. To restore good health, it is necessary to get rid of worms with the help of anthelmintic drugs or folk remedies.

what are worms

Worms are parasites of humans and animals that belong to the class of flatworms or nematodes. Worms have a fairly common structure.
In their development, worms traditionally go through several stages: egg - larva - adult. Most of a person's infection with worms occurs when they ingest worm eggs.

Eggs swallowed in the human intestinal tract quickly turn into larvae, which begin to migrate to their permanent place of life, where they transform into adults. In the process of movement, almost all helminths make real "journeys" through the human body.

Only a few parasites (for example, pinworms) hatch from eggs in the intestinal tract and remain there. Generally, the destruction of tissues and organs and the symptoms caused by the larvae and other forms of helminths developing during movement are the most pronounced, compared to the symptoms caused by parasites of mature forms.

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 route of their movement is quite complex. For example, with ascariasis, a person becomes infected by eating food contaminated with worm eggs (roundworm eggs mature in the soil).

In the cavity of the intestinal tract, worm eggs hatch and turn into larvae, which within a couple of hours enter the blood vessels through the wall of the intestinal tract and are transported to the lungs through the bloodstream. In the lungs, worm larvae grow and mature. The growing larva slowly gnaws at the adjacent bronchi and crawls along them, first into the trachea, and then into the oral cavity, where it is again swallowed and transported to the intestinal tract.

The roundworm larva that re-enters the intestinal tract transforms into an adult worm. Pulmonary migration of roundworm larvae is manifested by a large number of symptoms (cough, asthma attacks, increased body temperature, allergic skin rash), and the presence of a small number of adult worms in the intestinal tract may not manifest in any way.

What are worms? Worms are scientifically called helminths. Helminths are any worm that parasitizes the body of people, animals and plants. Consequently, worms are not a specific type of parasite, but rather a whole group of different worms, three of which are the most common.

Some scientists claim that almost the entire population of Earth is infected with one parasitic worm or another. However, in this case, helminthic infestations would have to be the most common type of disease in the world and, in addition, a series of serious studies show that, in reality, not everything is so bad. But the thought that a person still has helminths makes him immediately look for an answer to the question of how to get rid of worms.

It must also be understood that helminth infestation is not something rare and insignificant. There are more than three hundred species; The larvae in humans enter far beyond the intestines and continue to develop there, gradually poisoning the body. Let's find out what the symptoms of worms in humans are, because he who is warned, as we know, is forewarned. And then we'll find out how to get rid of worms effectively and what it takes to ensure they don't come back.

In reality, it is very easy to determine the presence of worms in anyone's body; it is enough to perform a stool test. However, the problem is that most people do not even think about undergoing such a test. The problem is that helminths in adults and children manifest themselves disguised as a large number of diseases and at first do not reveal their presence at all.

A person can spend years treating the intestines, liver, kidneys, stomach, gallbladder, and the root of the evil will be helminthiases and parasites, which feel very good when they are not fought.

Often, helminth infestation causes the development of diseases that have nothing to do with the helminths themselves. And in this case, they can treat you endlessly if you do not understand what is happening in time.

All this shows that worms are not just an unpleasant phenomenon. And given the presence of a large number of forms of infection, knowing the symptoms of worms in a person is of vital importance.

How do worms (parasites) appear?

The symptoms of helminthic diseases depend on the stage of development of the parasite. The development of helminthiasis is usually divided into acute and acquired stages.

• The acute stage of parasite development begins from the moment the patient becomes infected with worms and lasts 2-3 weeks (in the case of severe illness - up to 2 months).This stage is characterized by the predominance of allergic manifestations (rash, dry, choking cough, increased levels of eosinophils in the blood), which develop in response to the appearance of antigens (fragments) of migrating larvae in the blood. The immune response is very pronounced at the stage when the early forms of the parasite (larvae) are found in the body of an infected person;
• The acquired stage of development of worms occurs after the acute stage and lasts several weeks, months or years (in some helminthic diseases - up to 10 years).The symptoms of this stage for us depend on the location of the worms, their number and their eating habits.
  In places of spread, parasites damage tissues with their attachment organs (hooks, spines, cutting plates, cuticular spines). Damage causes tissue irritation and the development of an inflammatory reaction.

Some fast-growing parasites, such as cysticerci or hydatid cysts, being in the brain, eyeballs and liver, compress the surrounding tissues, often causing dysfunction of vital organs, which has serious consequences.

In the acquired stage of helminthiasis, the metabolism is disturbed, as the parasite constantly absorbs valuable nutrients such as proteins, minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins. In addition, the process of absorption of digested food in the intestinal tract is disturbed. The acquired phase in most digestive helminth infestations is usually asymptomatic, especially in cases where the parasites are represented by a single individual.

Any symptoms of the disease appear only when the parasite is huge, such as roundworms or tapeworms.
With other helminthiases, for example, with enterobiasis, night itching may appear in the anal area; intensive invasion with trichuriasis contributes to the development of hemorrhagic colitis; In children, symptoms of rectal prolapse may appear.

How can you get infected with worms?

You can acquire parasites in several ways. In this case, the worms are carried by larvae that are almost invisible to the naked eye.

Main infection methods:

• lack of hygiene skills: dirty hands, work on the floor;
• eating foods contaminated with helminths: unwashed fruits and foods that husbands ate, as well as insufficiently heat-treated meat and fish (skewers, undercooked, smoked steaks, sushi, etc. );
• drinking unboiled water contaminated with worm eggs;
• contact with animals that are natural reservoirs of worms: dogs and cats, wild animals (hunting, fishing, work on fur farms);
• contact with a person with helminthiasis: handshake, through bedding, door handles, etc.

In what organs can worms live?

Helminthic parasites are divided into two categories, which correspond to the place of activity in the donor's body:

• cavity– worms that live in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. There are around 100 species of intestinal parasites and for every part of the intestine there are a couple dozen species. The small intestine is ready to accept roundworms, antelostomas, broad tapeworms and other less common "brothers". The small intestine will "share living space" with pinworms, dwarf tapeworms, and others. Medical literature describes cases in which a person was simultaneously infected with several types of parasites;
• fabric- worms located in organs, tissues and even in the blood. Modern medicine successfully copes with paragonimiasis (lungs), cysticercosis (brain), echinococcosis (liver) and filariasis (lymphatic vessels). Some worm larvae move throughout the body through the circulatory system and attach randomly to any organ. If too many eggs are introduced, the entire body can become infected.

How can you get infected with worms?

To protect yourself, you need to know 4 ways to spread and become infected with worm eggs:

• through soil and water - soil-transmitted helminthiasis. They develop in sand, soil and water, then enter the human body and begin to lay eggs there. The worm eggs then enter the external environment along with excrement and wait in the wings to infect a new person. Eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits, dirty hands and dust in food can cause a person to become infected with soil-transmitted helminths. Some parasite eggs enter the human body through the skin of the feet and ankles;
• through direct contact.Worms in domestic animals and humans are transmitted through hand contact, games and joint activities.
• due to consumption of contaminated food of animal origin - biohelminthiasis. Eating raw and lightly processed meat (kebabs, lard, corned beef, homemade game) and fish (sushi, dried fish, canned fish) is potentially dangerous. There is a possibility of infection from intestinal infections and biohelminths;
• for insect bites. This type of infection is quite rare. These include intestinal myiasis, cantharasis and scolecosis. Do not confuse parasite eggs and insect larvae, which are also deposited under the skin of animals and people (for example, horsefly larvae).

Symptoms of worms

To understand how to eliminate worms from a person, it is necessary to know the symptoms that each type of tapeworm manifests. Depending on the location of the dislocation, helminthic infestations can be:

• bright.Cavity types of worms inhabit the area of the small and large intestine. For example, the area inhabited by roundworms and tapeworms is the small intestine. Pinworms live in the lower part of the small intestine, whipworms live in the large intestine;
• muscle (cellular).They live in muscle cells, lung tissue, brain cells, liver, lymph nodes, and eyes. Some of the worms are luminal and cellular, because in the early stages they migrate with the blood circulation and populate the mentioned organs.

The symptoms of worms in an adult can be different. As mentioned above, they are often easily confused with signs of other diseases. In some cases, everything happens according to the classic scenario of mass infection. In this case, the signs of worms in an adult and a child will be similar, most likely in children, more pronounced.

Obvious symptoms of worm infection: itching in the anus, especially at night; sudden loss or, conversely, weight gain; anemia, which manifests itself externally in pale skin; tired and haggard appearance.

If you or your children begin to experience such phenomena, you should definitely visit a doctor and insist on a test for the presence of parasite eggs in the feces. Of course, it may not be your fault. The symptoms of helminth infestation are not always to blame for poor health, but communication with a doctor will be useful in any case, because disorders in the body are obvious.

Symptoms of worms in humans, first signs.

The first signs of worms in man are always absent; The symptoms of a parasitic infestation appear only when there are a large number of worms (pinworms, roundworms) or when the tapeworm reaches a large size, for example. The clinical picture of helminthiasis often mimics gastrointestinal pathology.

However, in addition to those characteristic of gastrointestinal lesions, there are signs that indicate dysfunction of other organs.

Symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in the body:

• lack of appetite or, conversely, gluttony, bitterness in the mouth and excessive salivation;
• a strong desire to eat sweets (worms feed on carbohydrates);
• nausea, vomiting: sometimes worms crawl into the stomach or their parts (segments) are found in the vomit;
• itching of the anus and grinding of teeth during sleep often indicate enterobiasis;
• unstable stools - always provoke intestinal dysbiosis, helminthiasis occurs with frequent changes of diarrhea and constipation, with significant infestation, worms can be excreted in feces;
• flatulence: bloating and rumbling in the stomach are caused by toxins produced by worms;
• periodic abdominal pain: diffuse, often localized in the navel area, the pain is sometimes spastic in nature;
• Skin manifestations: sudden allergic rashes and purulent formations (acne, boils), caused by a decrease in local immunity and the elimination of toxins through the skin, often occur in severe form, at the same time there is weakness of the nails and excess. Hair loss;
• irritable bowel syndrome - poor absorption of nutrients leads to the development of anemia and weight loss, especially with numerous helminth colonies;
• cough is a dry symptom that occurs in the pulmonary stage of helminthiasis (roundworm larvae enter the lungs with blood), severe infestation can lead to pneumonia;
• Obesity, strange as it may seem, can also be caused by intestinal parasites that, when they feed on carbohydrates, cause a sharp drop in blood glucose and force us to consume more food, and the body stores fat in reserve;
• symptoms of the nervous system are especially pronounced in children with helminthiasis: increased irritability, lack of sleep or drowsiness, constant depression, decreased attention and memory problems;
• chronic fatigue syndrome - parasites often cause constant weakness, prolonged increases in temperature to 37-37. 5 C, a flu-like condition and muscle pain;
• pathology of the upper respiratory tract: slow runny nose, intractable cough, even pneumonia and asthmatic conditions are often caused by the presence of helminths;
• decreased immunity - helminthiasis, intestinal dysbiosis and the accompanying chronic intoxication cause frequent colds and pathologies that are indicators of immunodeficiency (herpes, warts, etc. ), including oncopathology.

The effect of helminthiasis on the nervous system deserves special attention. Any type of parasite throughout its life produces products that the body perceives as foreign substances. Its toxic effect affects, first of all, the nervous system, causing irritability, depressive states and other disorders of emotional stability.

Planar parasites in humans. Symptoms

Chance

The fluke is located in the hepatic tubules. Causes cancer of the digestive organs. You can become infected by eating raw and lightly salted fish products. Symptoms of worms in an adult: increased body temperature; vomiting attacks; dyspepsia; pain in the spleen, liver; allergy. The person periodically feels dizzy and sleep is disturbed; migraines are observed; becomes irritable; The mood changes frequently. Treatment of helminthiasis is carried out in a hospital.

schistosome

Routes of schistosome infection include swimming in cargo ponds and drinking dirty water. Parasitizes in the small veins of the large intestine, abdominal cavity, small pelvis, uterus, bladder. It can be located in the brain.

Symptoms of worm infection include loss of appetite; alteration of the digestive system; pale skin; abdominal pain; dyspepsia; Intestinal and uterine bleeding, weight loss, intestinal obstruction. In women it causes menstrual irregularities; Spontaneous abortions have been recorded during pregnancy due to the presence of worms.

Men develop impotence; Sperm quality decreases (infertility). Children suffer from delayed growth and mental development. When brain cells are damaged, consciousness is affected and paralysis and seizures may develop. Such conditions can cause death.

Sampler

Paragonom - lung fluke: what causes worms in humans: from the consumption of freshwater crabs, fish and pork. The worm affects the bronchial organs and lungs. Signs of worms in adults: increased temperature; The person begins to cough, and for a long time.

When you cough, sputum is produced. Migraine is observed; difficulty breathing appears in the absence of movement; impaired visual acuity; vomiting attacks.

echinococcus

Echinococcus is a very dangerous tapeworm. It can cause death. He lives next to a person for a long time and is capable of not expressing himself. The route of infection is through domestic animals, often dogs. A person becomes infected without following hygiene rules.

Echinococcus causes the development of cysts in human organs. Treatment of worms in adults is done only surgically. It often affects the digestive system, respiratory system, brain and bone tissue. Symptoms in adults depend on the affected organ.

Liver: pain in this area, variable in nature, heaviness, fatigue, skin allergies, jaundice. Lungs: pain in the sternum, coughing fits, difficulty breathing. Brain: migraine, dizziness, paralysis, mental disorders, epilepsy. Bones: muscles and joints hurt; Frequent fractures are observed.

had wide

The broad tapeworm is one of the largest parasites. Lives in the small intestine. The route of infection is the consumption of lightly salted caviar, fish that has not undergone adequate heat treatment.

Worms in the human body are characterized by frequent attacks of vomiting; pain in the abdominal area; dyspepsia; lack of appetite; fatigue; anemia; Decreased blood pressure; migraines. Additionally, sometimes the pain is so strong that it causes fainting.

I had a bull

Bovine tapeworm: the route of entry is contaminated beef. Helminthic infestation colonizes the small intestine. How to understand that an infection has occurred? Signs of worms in humans: stomach pain; severe nausea; excessive increase in appetite; weightloss; stomach noises; flatulence; increased frequency of bowel movements.

pork tapeworm

The pork tapeworm lives in different organs. The routes of infection are lack of hygiene and unwashed fruits. You can determine that a person has worms by dizziness, prolonged and regular migraines. The person sleeps poorly, often wakes up in a "cold sweat" due to nightmares, and therefore becomes irritable over time. Appetite is altered and belching appears.

I had dwarf

The dwarf tapeworm reaches man through the oral cavity with dirty fruits and vegetables. It lives in the area of the small intestine. Symptoms: fever, nausea, salivation, belching, heartburn, rhinitis, dry mucous membranes.

Intestinal worms in humans. Symptoms

roundworms

Ascaris: You can get infected after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits. Tapeworms live in the small intestine. Signs of the appearance of worms in a person: the anus itches, the person feels the movement of the worms, which causes incredible discomfort. The temperature may increase, the lymph nodes may enlarge, and there may be a headache at night. The liver increases, manifestations of allergies are seen (hives in the area of the feet and hands, dermatoses). Due to damage to the central nervous system, mental disorders occur: depression, seizures, attacks of aggression, night nightmares. The functioning of digestion is altered.

intestinal worm

Pinworms: This parasite originates from dirty hands. It lives in the large and small intestines of humans. The source of infection is sick people and non-compliance with hygiene rules.

The first signs of worms: itching in the anal area (worse at night); I have a stomach ache; be sick; sleep is disturbed. The person is restless and irritable; gets tired quickly.

Some people develop urinary incontinence in this context; allergic manifestations. Girls with worms experience heavy vaginal discharge.

Trichinella

Trichinella is a dangerous helminthic infestation. Symptoms do not always appear immediately. Routes of infection: consumption of pork, vegetation near pastures. Helminthic infestation affects all systems and organs without exception.

The following symptoms cause worms in humans: loss of appetite; People feel nauseous constantly and a gag reflex occurs periodically. The stool is altered and there is pain in the abdomen. A distinctive feature is swelling of the face. Muscle pains; rashes appear on the skin; temperature increase.

Hookworms

Hookworms are dangerous worms in adults. Symptoms may be severe or absent. The gastrointestinal tract (small intestine, duodenum) is affected. Routes of infection: contact with the soil where the larvae are present; by mouth with vegetables and herbs contaminated with soil.

Signs of the presence of worms: allergies with itchy skin; coughing fits (streaks of blood are seen in the sputum); increased body temperature, migraine. People feel dizzy and weak; pain and pain in the bones (as with ARVI). I suffer from hunger pangs.

After eating, the person feels nauseous and may vomit. Almost always after eating, the stomach swells and hurts. After eating, diarrhea appears two hours later. Many, on the other hand, experience constipation due to impaired intestinal motility caused by worms. A person feels drowsy and fatigue appears even in the absence of physical activity.

Is it worth taking pills against worms as prevention?

If one of the family members has pinworms, preventive treatment is always carried out for the entire family.

Indications for the prophylactic use of drugs against helminths:

• presence of pets;
• constant contact with the ground (sand games, villagers);
• if children live permanently in closed children's groups;
• regular trips to exotic countries;
• Hobbies: fishing, hunting, beach volleyball, soccer.