Worm infestations often cause significant discomfort and health problems for a person. The symptoms of worms can be very diverse: fever, weakness, stomach upset, headache, etc.
Worms: what are they?
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 helminthiasis (helminthic diseases)? Symptoms of worms
The term "helminthiasis" usually refers to a number of human diseases, the premise of which is various parasitic worms - helminths (another collective name for these parasites - worms).
Unlike diseases caused by bacteria, protozoa or fungi, with helminthiasis, the number of adult helminths (worms) in the body of an infected person does not increase at one time (except in cases of reinfection). This is due to the fact that worms reproduce only outside the human body.
What are they?
Medicine knows more than a hundred varieties of helminths. The following are the most common types of worms:
- Pinworms are small worms in the human body that reach a length of 12 mm. This type of worm is diagnosed in the intestinal mucosa. Parasites enter the body with dust through the respiratory tract and can be easily transmitted from person to person.
- Nematodes are large nematodes most commonly found in the small intestine. Infection of the body occurs through food and unwashed hands. Most often, intestinal worms are found in the body of children.
- Trichinella: These parasites have round bodies of no more than 5 mm in length and cause trichinosis in the body. Larvae and eggs prefer to be in poorly fried meat (boar, pork, bear). In the human body, Trichinella takes up to 4 days to become an adult and its life cycle is 40 days. The main goal of this type of worms is to enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls and settle in the muscles. Additionally, muscles of the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems are often affected.
- Pork/beef tapeworm. The body length of the parasite is 5 to 6 meters, and its larvae hide in the meat of large animals (pig, cattle). The disease caused by these helminths is called taeniasis and taeniarinhoz. The larvae of both types of tapeworms are whitish vesicles attached to the walls of the small intestine. The parasite takes 3 months to reach and form an adult, and the worm develops every day. The total number of segments reaches 2000, the last of which freely "furrow" the large intestine. The worms then leave the body along with feces through the anus. The most common and obvious symptom of helminthiasis is disruption of the digestive tract, as well as eating food in large quantities, and the patient does not visually gain weight.
- Necator/hookworm. The connection between these parasites is direct, due to the diseases and biological characteristics they cause. They live in the duodenum and, due to their small size (10-15 mm), move freely in their environment. The larvae can enter the body only through the skin if a person has been in contact with contaminated soil. The other target of the worms is the lungs and digestive tract. They feed only on the blood that comes out of the bitten blood vessels. As a result of the vigorous activity of these parasites, blood clotting is disturbed. Adults consume blood in the range of 0. 1 to 0. 35 ml per day.
- Echinococcus. In this case, a person acts as an intermediate host, because the final host is wolves, cats and dogs. Animals can become infected through direct contact with contaminated objects or people. As soon as the eggs of the parasite enter the intestine, larvae with six hooks immediately develop, which in medicine are called oncospheres.
- Whipworms are diagnosed in a person's stomach. They are thin and quite large worms.
You can determine the type of helminths by seeing what color the worms are in the stool when they emerge. Infection occurs through vegetables and meats that have been subjected to insufficient heat treatment. You can avoid infections by following food preparation rules.
How common and dangerous are worms?
Symptoms of worms. Data from modern epidemiological studies have revealed that every 4th person worldwide is infected with worms. The incidence of worm infection is significantly higher in children than in adults. In children and adults, worms can become a prerequisite for various acquired diseases of internal organs (gastritis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis, cholecystitis) and from time to time provoke the development of dangerous complications and death.
According to the World Health Organization and the World Disease Bank, helminthic diseases rank fourth in terms of economic damage among all other diseases and injuries.
In our region there are more than 15 types of helminths, of which the most common are enterobiasis (about 90% in the group of patients with helminth diseases), ascariasis (70%), opisthorchiasis, diphyllobothriasis, trichocephalosis (60%). , toxocariasis (60%) and hymenolepiasis. As follows from statistics, almost all sick people (especially children) are simultaneously infected with various forms of worms.
Where do worms spread in humans?
Many people believe that worms certainly live in the intestines, and this is true for some types of helminths. In general, worms can be found in a variety of organs and systems of the human body:
- all kinds of tapeworms, whipworms and nematodes "settle" in the large intestine;
- trematodes attack the liver and gallbladder;
- Pork tapeworm larvae can spread through the bloodstream to all organs; Subcutaneous adipose tissue, the ocular chamber, and muscle blood vessels may be affected.
How can you get infected with worms?
How do worms enter the human body? There are 4 main sources of helminth eggs entering the body:
soil-transmitted helminthiasis- through soil (and then water), in which mature eggs of many helminths are found that enter the soil with human or animal feces, as well as through direct contact with animals and through the transfer of eggs by flies to food . Contact - from person to person Worms as well-known and common as pinworms are transmitted, which represents the greatest risk of infection.
Biohelminthosis- when eating raw, half-raw or slightly heat-treated meat (pork, beef) or fish infected with helminths (sushi, kebab, dried fish, lard with meat streaks, etc. ) Some parasites enter the body through bites of insects.
The main mechanism of any infection is usually oral-fecal, that is, a person simply swallows worm eggs along with food, water, and less commonly, some helminthic infestations occur from the bites of infected insects. Undercooked raw meat and fish are understandable, but how can you become infected with worms through contact, at home and through soil?
through the ground
After any contact with dirt or sand, you should not only wash your hands, but also clean your nails well, it is better to have short nails, especially in children. Food products growing in the soil: vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, mushrooms, everything that is connected to the soil requires thorough washing with running water and scalding with boiling water. Pets, mainly dogs and cats, walking on the street, bring a lot of sewage into the house, and children playing with them are at maximum risk of infection; the animal can easily infect it with any type of helminths. Flies are also the main carriers of helminths, as they are found in public toilets, places where agricultural livestock live, and then calmly settle on food, scattering eggs on their wings and legs.
From person to person
With pinworms, infection of other people occurs very easily. When a female pinworm emerges from the intestines at night, she lays about 5, 000 eggs near the anus, which causes intense itching; The child, by scratching the itchy area, infects his hands, nails, panties and bedding. Without washing her hands immediately, hundreds of eggs remain on all the objects she touches: door handles, clothes, food, toys. Furthermore, the infection process is clear: the eggs are also laid on the hands of another child or adult who uses these items and, without washing their hands before eating, end up in the mouth of a healthy person.
through the water
A large number of worm eggs end up in open water bodies and well water. Therefore, those who live in rural areas or in the countryside should use a bactericidal filter and be sure to boil the water; It is also dangerous to swallow water when swimming in open water.
Everyone knows that worms are a problem mainly for children. First of all, because they are more susceptible to the development of helminthiasis, since the protective barriers in the body of children are not well formed and the acidity of the stomach is lower than in an adult. Secondly, preschoolers, mastering the world, try all the objects around them not only with their hands, but also with taste. And parents, with all their might, can teach their child to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene, without reminders, only between the ages of 3 and 6, which exposes not only the baby himself, but also all others to risk. members of the family. of infection (pinworms).
It must be remembered that no worm can reproduce and multiply in the human body, each species has its own period of time after which they die, for example, for pinworms it is only a few weeks, for roundworms it is about a year. Eggs laid by adults must leave the body with feces or (in the case of pinworms) on the skin near the anus, into the external environment, into the soil, and only then, having matured outside the human body and entering it again . , begin to activate and parasitize.
Symptoms of worms
The development of helminthiasis usually occurs in two stages: acute (from two, three weeks to two months) and chronic (from several months to many years).
The acute stage coincides with the moment of introduction and development of the parasite and is mainly manifested by an immune response to foreign antigens and allergic reactions. The symptoms of this stage of helminthiasis are similar when different types of parasites are introduced.
The chronic stage is distinguished by great diversity: depending on the location of the worms, their number and lifestyle, disturbances appear in the functioning of a variety of organs and systems. By integrating into the metabolic system, consuming substances it needs, the parasite causes alterations that are manifested by disorders of digestion and the absorption of vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals. The waste products of worms lead not only to the suppression of normal intestinal microflora, but also reduce immunity, contributing to the development of chronic bacterial infections and reducing the effectiveness of preventive vaccines.
An increased risk of malignant tumors is associated with a negative effect on the immune system and with an increase in cell division processes (regeneration) in damaged tissues.
The first signs of the development of helminthiasis can appear between 2-3 days (with ascariasis) and 1. 5 years (with filariasis). In most cases, this period is 2 to 3 weeks. At the beginning of the disease, skin rashes, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged liver and spleen, and pain in muscles and joints appear. Some helminthiases are characterized by specific signs, such as jaundice in the case of opisthorchiasis (hepatic platform) or fever, muscle pain, swelling of the face and eyelids in the case of trichinosis.
In the chronic phase, the presence of single specimens of worms occurs practically without any symptoms, the exception may be the presence of large specimens, for example, tapeworms and roundworms. In the case of a more widespread infection, the symptoms of helminthiasis consist of digestive disorders (nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, loose stools) and some specific signs. In enterobiasis, for example, itching occurs in the anus, which intensifies in the afternoon and at night.
Trichocephalosis is hemorrhagic colitis (with bleeding). With hookworms: iron deficiency anemia. With ascariasis, mechanical obstruction of the intestines and bile ducts may occur. With helminthiasis with liver damage, chronic hepatitis and inflammation of the biliary tract (cholecystitis, cholangitis) develop.
A special place is occupied by helminthiases with the development of cysts (liquid formations on the membrane): echinococcosis, alveococcosis, cysticercosis. Even large cysts may not manifest themselves in any way, but their suppuration or rupture leads to serious consequences such as: anaphylactic shock, peritonitis, purulent pleurisy. Helminthiasis can be accompanied by symptoms of vegetative-vascular asthenia and neurotic conditions. Let us consider in more detail the most common special cases of helminthiasis.
Diagnosis of worms. Worm treatment
In enterobiasis, the main condition for successful treatment is simultaneous deworming of all members of the family (or children's team), strict hygiene measures and repeated administration of medications 10-14 days after the first.
Folk remedies for the treatment of worms.
Traditional treatment methods include medicinal plants that have anthelmintic and laxative effects. Already in ancient times, healers recommended using the juice of elecampane and celandine to expel worms. Carrots and carrot juice also have anthelmintic effects. Often in traditional medicine recipes you can find walnuts, pomegranates, mint and, more often, garlic in the form of a nutritional component or enemas. A decoction of wormwood is used in the form of enemas or orally. Pumpkin seeds are an official medicine recognized as a remedy against worms. In folk medicine, the use of medicinal plants is often combined with saline laxatives. Although the effect of medicinal plants is not so high, they can serve as prophylaxis or as a complement to the traditional treatment of helminthiasis.
Complications of helminthiasis.
Complications of helminthiasis are mainly associated with the mechanical effect of the parasite on the organ; Tissue destruction sometimes leads to fatal dysfunction of the affected organ. The appearance of bacterial infections in places of mechanical damage is a common complication that masks the presence of the parasite in the body. For impressionable people, the sight of a parasite (for example, when it is expelled) can cause serious psychological trauma that requires long-term rehabilitation treatment.
Worm prevention
It contains the timely identification and treatment of sick people and animals, compliance with personal hygiene measures (washing hands before eating, thoroughly washing food products, thorough heat treatment of food, especially meat and fish).
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms may indicate the presence of worms in a person?
Symptoms of worms can include constant fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, itching in the anal area, and digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation.
How can you determine if a person has worms?
To determine the presence of worms in a person, you can perform a stool test to detect worm eggs or a blood test to detect the presence of antibodies to worms. The doctor may also prescribe an ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
What precautions can be taken to prevent worm infections?
To prevent worm infection, it is recommended to wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. You should also avoid contact with contaminated soil or water, drink only safe water, and cook food properly to destroy possible worm eggs.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to changes in appetite and weight. If you or your child experience constant hunger or, conversely, loss of appetite, this may be a sign of a helminthic infection.
Tip #2
Pay attention to the condition of your skin and hair. If you or your child develop rashes, itching, or changes in hair texture (such as brittleness or hair loss), it may be due to the presence of worms.
Tip #3
Pay attention to the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If you or your child frequently experience abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea, this may be due to a worm infection.