Worms in the human body: photos and treatment methods.

What worms can live in the human body

Even the development of technologies and household chemicals with a variety of detergents does not free our society from parasite infestation.The number one reason is dirty hands.

There are types of worms that are not dangerous to humans and can be removed from the body without much difficulty.However, parasitologists also know those who kill their prey.

What worms can live inside us?

Helminths can settle in both the animal and human bodies.It is not in vain that they are called parasites, since they feed on the resources of the organism they infect.And worms harm not only by eating the foods we are supposed to eat, but also disrupting the normal functioning of the liver, heart, lungs and other organs.There are known cases of its penetration into hearing aids, eyes and brain.

Experts divided those who most often come as uninvited "guests" into three groups.This type of parasites have become champions in the number of infections, since more than 70% of the recorded infection cases belong to them.

Here is its brief description:

  1. intestinal wormscombine pinworms, nematodes and the so-called dog nematodes (another name is toxocara).
  2. Protozoan parasites.These include lamblia, amoebas, toxoplasmosis and malaria plasmodia.
  3. Flatworms.This class includes echinococcus, tapeworm (diphyllobothriasis), and bovine tapeworm.

The cause of helminthiasis (helminth infection) can be any of 150 types of parasitic creatures.Scientists have discovered many more of them;Science knows 12,000 species of helminths.Let us consider below what worms live in the human body.

The most common types are:

  1. Worms.Very small white worms that live and reproduce in the gastrointestinal tract of their prey.This type of worm causes the most damage because it alters the microflora of the intestinal tract.This negative impact causes subsequent diseases of the genitourinary system, enterobiasis, disorders of the nervous system, delay in physical growth and mental development.The main routes of human infection are dirty hands, unwashed food and pets.
  2. Intestinal worms.These worms, which develop in the human body, sometimes reach 0.4 meters in length.Ascaris is capable of moving to the lung area from its permanent habitat, the intestinal tract.During the journey, the worm damages the tissues, causing hemorrhages in them.When the larvae are expelled from the upper respiratory tract, they enter the oral cavity and are swallowed into the digestive system.An outside observer mistakes this type of cough for a cold.They also cause harm by poisoning the microflora of the intestinal tract with toxins.In turn, they feed on useful substances intended for us.Poisoning of the body causes allergies, as well as asthma attacks and suffocation.Dirty hands are the nematodes' favorite means of transportation when they move into a new body.
  3. Worm.It occupies a well-deserved third place in terms of number of infections.This worm enters the body of a new victim through poorly processed food.It causes the disease trichuriasis.The patient loses appetite and complains of abdominal pain, anemia, and diarrhea.The external manifestations of the disease cannot be immediately distinguished from an attack of appendicitis.
  4. Wide ribbon.In a sense, this worm claims to be the champion in length, as it sometimes reaches 10 meters and even more.But there are more genuine parasites.It settles by eating freshwater fish.The worm sucks from the "owner" everything that should strengthen and nourish the person himself.It is not selective when it comes to damaging organs and can harm anyone.Signs of infestation by this worm are headaches and hallucinations (if it penetrates the brain), nausea and vomiting.Its actions and partly its appearance are similar to pork and ox tapeworms, but they are longer than this worm.
  5. Hookwormsdo not penetrate through food and oral cavity.Their route of entry is different since they infect us through the skin.Living in contaminated soil, they seem to be waiting for contact with people.Their harm lies in the fact that hookworms damage the intestines and lungs, and also feed on blood.Symptoms are associated with abdominal pain and problems with the functioning of the esophagus.
  6. Trichinella.Helminthic infestation occurs when eating meat (especially game).Its presence in the body gives the following external manifestations:
    • abdominal pain;
    • itching;
    • high temperature (after two weeks of stay);
    • intestinal disorders;
    • skin rash.

    Important.Worms of this type damage the muscle tissue of a person's limbs and face, damage the respiratory system and even the heart, which leads to death.

    types of parasites in the human body
  7. liver flukeIt settles in a person by eating fish previously affected by it.This worm causes damage to the gallbladder and intestines.Signs of fluke infestation: allergies and nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, joint pain and high fever.If the disease has become chronic, the next stage may be hepatitis.The most terrible consequences of liver fluke infestation are cirrhosis and cancer.If this helminth is destroyed and eliminated, the damage it causes will be quite noticeable and will leave inflammation of the liver.
  8. Echinococcus.Tapeworms are also quite large, growing up to 5 meters.They lead a parasitic life on dogs, wolves and cats.When a person comes into contact with them, the worms first damage the intestines and then migrate throughout the body.The favorite places for its settlement are the liver and lungs.The sites where they are located are misdiagnosed as a cancerous tumor or a cyst.Some doctors use the term “cyst” because it looks like a lump and reaches a very large size.When an imaginary tumor bursts, its contents severely poison the entire human body.

Sometimes people overlook helminth infestation as an unpleasant, but quite tolerable ailment.Therefore, their beliefs do not encourage them to be very careful when coming into contact with any type of dirt, poorly processed foods, or contact with pets.

Such criminal negligence has its sad results.The worms are capable of killing their prey, in addition to pain and organ damage.The most dangerous are helminths that feed on blood and useful substances inside humans.

The differences between parasitic worms from each other lie in the degree of damage caused and the method of penetration into the body of a new "host".Echinococci are known for forming cysts, the bovine tapeworm damages the intestines, and the opisthorchis constantly eats the liver.Every day you lose a certain number of cells.

Parasites of the protozoan class reproduce very quickly when the right conditions are created for this.Giardia seems to be hidden for some time and there are no manifestations.Toxoplasma hits a person in the head and affects their brain, which affects the victim's behavior.

The malaria plasmodium destroys blood cells and can lead to the death of the victim.

Consequences of infection:

  • development of malignant tumors;
  • immunity weakens;
  • The metabolism is altered.

For the most part, helminths settle in the intestinal tract, liver and lungs.Some cases indicate damage to muscle tissue, joints, eyes, and brain.Thanks to blood flow, parasites are able to migrate throughout the body, causing problems wherever they appear.

Symptoms of the presence of parasites.

The manifestations of helminthic infestation are very different from each other.But they also have common symptoms:

What parasites can live in the human body
  • muscle pain that weakens and swells;
  • the joints hurt, although they were not injured;
  • the liver and spleen increase in size;
  • skin rash;
  • high temperature.

You can add to them:

  • itching near the anus, pain in the abdomen, disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea and bloating, perhaps even intestinal obstruction, the person becomes weak and complains of anemia;
  • Intoxication with parasite secretions alters the functioning of the nervous system and causes headaches, dizziness and nausea.Since parasites eat substances intended to strengthen a person, the body becomes weak and constantly feels drowsiness, fatigue for no reason, sleep disorders, and it is even difficult to do serious mental work;
  • itchy skin and allergies, hives, brittle hair and nails, signs of bronchial asthma, rhinitis and dry cough;
  • weakened immunity gives access to various types of infections, inflammation in the mouth and nose causes stomatitis, sinusitis and sinusitis;
  • Women develop inflammation of the appendages and fishy-smelling discharge (bacterial vaginosis).

Sometimes the worms bring the body of an infected person to such a state that it is no longer possible to lead a full and healthy life, even after their removal.Therefore, if you discover any of the symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Photos of worms that can live in you

Worms of different types, sizes and shapes can settle in the human body.They use any method of migration to live at the expense of others.It is believed that 4/5 of the population of our planet suffers from helminthic infestations and is a carrier of various parasites.A person may not even realize that he is not the only one who eats, but also a "resident" in the intestines.

The symptoms of its presence are not expressed immediately and clearly in everyone.A prolonged stay of worms will lead the body to chronic diseases.Many diseases are believed to start with worms.Before starting treatment, you must first recognize your inner enemy so as not to fight blindly.

Worms that settle in humans are divided into types:

  • intestinal worms;
  • had;
  • trematodes.

Even looking at a photo of a parasite is not a very pleasant experience, but carrying it with you is much worse.People think someone else might have an infestation, but it won't affect me.What a shock they feel when they discover that a monster has arrived and taken up residence in their own body!

photo of parasites in the human body

Thanks to these materials, smart people are better equipped to protect themselves and their loved ones.But no one should do anything on their own to destroy uninvited "guests".

If the parasites are different, the treatment is not always the same.They do not give the same pill for lice and worms;There are significant differences in lifestyle, places of settlement and method of infection.First, the type of helminth and the direction of its harmful activity are determined, and only then the doctor selects the drug taking into account the age and other health characteristics of each patient.

So, having received a sufficient amount of information about the types of worms, symptoms and degree of damage, the reader can undergo a diagnosis and pass the appropriate tests, which will be prescribed by a parasitologist.Not all worms are equally dangerous, but any of their types poison the body with waste products of their vital activity, and each of them feeds on something from us: food or body tissues.

For your information.The term "parasite" comes from the Greek word for parasite.Two or more organisms live side by side, but one “sits on the neck” of the other, feeding and reproducing at the expense of the others.The digestive system can contain both multicellular helminths and protozoa.Tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms are quite common.They have a relatively complex body structure.

The vast majority of helminths have a negative effect on the general well-being and health of a person, causing the development of very serious diseases.Taking this into account, when the first signs of illness appear that do not go away with the treatment of a cold or a rash with headache, a doctor should be consulted to make an appointment for diagnosis.

Today, doctors have sufficient high-precision methods and technologies to confirm or refute suspicions of parasitic worm infection.If helminths are detected, only a specialist can choose the most optimal treatment.

How to prevent helminth infestation?Do you need to constantly limit yourself to one or another vacation, literally “squeezing out” your life by observing complex postulates?

In fact, intestinal parasite infection and its subsequent treatment can be avoided if you follow some very simple rules:

  • wash your hands only with soap;
  • drink filtered water;
  • Not only wash fruits and vegetables with water, but it is better to even pour boiling water over them;
  • do not allow swimming in polluted waters;
  • meat and fish products must undergo mandatory heat treatment;
  • children's toys used outside are disinfected;
  • Vaccinate pets against parasites.

Conclusion

But everyone must start with themselves, because all modern achievements mean nothing if we simply neglect personal hygiene and preventive measures for family members living in our house.Being attentive to your health, detecting it in time (if an infection has occurred), competently and timely starting treatment - all this will help prevent a major disaster on a personal level and the spread of the disease in your environment.

It is much easier to prevent parasitic worms than to suffer from health problems, all kinds of disorders and fever, and then have to follow the rules.Only this is no longer a hygiene course, but treatment, diet and restoration of immunity.And it's good if there is no surgery.Take care of yourself, it's easier.