The modern pace of life often does not allow us to pay attention to minor ailments: increased fatigue, dizziness, pain in the joints and intestines.We often associate minor ailments with overwork, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety.But few people think that such ailments can be caused by worms (helminths), which can live in our body for a long time and cause a number of symptoms that we often perceive as signs of other diseases.The symptoms of worms in an adult or a child depend on many factors, but in any case, the presence of parasites in our body causes discomfort and disgust, so it is very important to identify the parasite as quickly as possible and carry out the appropriate treatment to eliminate it.
What is helminthic infestation?
Worms in humans, or the medical term "helminthic infestation", are a large group of diseases that develop after the penetration of parasites into the human body.According to medical indicators, it was found that about 80% of the population is infected with worms, but not everyone knows about this.As a rule, human parasites can be found in the human intestines or internal organs and tissues.Worms are retained in the human body by special organs: suction cups, hooks and spines.They feed on tissue juices or nutrients found in the blood.
Throughout their life, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream and lymph and then spread throughout the body, penetrating internal organs and systems, where they disrupt their functionality.Modern medicine knows more than a hundred species of helminths that parasitize the human body.Some of them do not cause much harm, while others are quite dangerous for human health and life.It is important to remember that worms, after entering the body, use our “resources” for their vital functions, causing numerous alterations in the functioning of the entire organism.
At the initial stage, worm symptoms are blurred or completely absent.In such cases, detecting parasites is quite difficult and is possible only when a person is attentive to his health, notices the slightest disturbances and takes measures to eliminate them.
Types of worms that parasitize the human body.
Over many years of evolution, worms have learned to adapt well to the human environment.In parasitology, human worms are divided into two groups:
- Tissue helminths: they parasitize human tissues or internal organs: cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, echinococcosis, filariasis and others, which can affect the brain, liver, lungs, joints, etc.
- Cavity worms: they live in the small or large intestine: tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms.
Worms do not have the ability to reproduce in the human body.The lifespan of some parasites is several weeks (pinworms), but some individuals can live for years (roundworms, tapeworms) and reach large sizes.The lifespan of cavitated worms is often increased due to reinfection.The symptoms of worms in an adult or child directly depend on the number of helminths in the body, their type, general health and other characteristics of the human body.
How does worm infection occur?
You can become infected with helminths in several ways:
- Through the soil: consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits, lack of personal hygiene when working with the soil.
- Swimming in reservoirs.
- Domestic or stray animals (cats, dogs) are frequent carriers of parasites.Infection can occur both during fun games with pets and through soil or sand.
- Through food, meat from animals that has not undergone the necessary heat treatment is the main source of tissue worm infection.In addition to meat products, worms can also be found in dairy products, fish meat, and canned foods.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules is the main cause of worms in children, who, while playing or walking down the street, often put their dirty hands in their mouths and rub their eyes.
Helminth infection can occur in another way.After diagnosing a parasitic disease, identifying the source of infection is difficult and almost impossible.
The first signs of helminthic infestation
Once parasites enter the human body, they encounter barriers from the immune system, which recognizes them as foreign agents.If the immune system is strong, there is a chance that helminths will not penetrate the body or will be quickly destroyed.In cases where a person's immunity is weak, it cannot resist parasites that penetrate without barriers into the intestines, develop and become adults.After a while, when the parasites become adults, they begin to secrete large amounts of toxins that poison the human body.The waste products of the worms penetrate the blood and spread throughout the body, causing the first symptoms, such as:
- periodic headache;
- increased fatigue;
- appetite increases or decreases;
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- anal itching;
- sleep disturbance;
- increased sensitivity to allergens;
- increased irritability.
The symptoms of a worm infestation in an adult or child negatively affect the state of the immune system;Skin rashes due to worms are also seen and are often confused with dermatitis.Almost always, when the above symptoms appear, a person does not even suspect the presence of a parasitic disease, but begins to be examined by doctors from other fields of medicine, who, after the test results, do not notice any significant abnormalities and give a referral or recommend testing for worms.
Symptoms of worms in humans
The symptoms of helminths in an adult or child directly depend on the type of parasite, its location and the intensity of the infection.For example, after an intestinal worm infection, symptoms will appear between day 2 and 4. The clinic always clears up and is accompanied by general discomfort in the body.In other cases, when a parasite infection occurs, the first signs may appear after 2 to 3 weeks, and if a person is infected with filariasis, the incubation period lasts up to 18 months.Let's consider the main symptoms of parasitic diseases, which are observed along with the signs of helminth infestation (listed above), caused by a certain helminth:
- Pinworms or enterobiasis: cause itching in the anal canal, which intensifies at night and grinds the teeth while sleeping.
- Trichocephalosis, diphyllobothriasis and schistosomes lead to the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
- Intestinal worms: increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees, dry cough with sputum production.Laboratory tests show an increased number of eosinophils and allergic rashes appear.In cases of severe infestation, bronchitis with attacks of suffocation and pneumonia may develop.In addition, gastrointestinal disorders and rapid and significant weight loss appear.
- Trichinosis: causes muscle pain, fever, swelling of the eyelids and extremities.
- Fascioliasis, Giardia, opisthorchiasis: affect the liver and cause symptoms of jaundice.There is an enlarged spleen, neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Urogenital schistosomiasis: causes diuretic disorders, characterized by the release of blood during urination.
In addition to the above symptoms that can occur with a helminth infestation, there are also those that threaten human life and affect the brain, central nervous system, eyes, joints and other organs.It is very important not to look for other diseases, but to undergo a complete examination of the body with all tests for helminthic infestations.Only then can the parasite be identified and all treatment methods will be aimed at eliminating it and restoring the functioning of the internal organs.
Worms are so dangerous
Worms in children: symptoms often lead to a decrease in appetite, as well as the development of allergic reactions or bronchitis.In advanced forms, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and other serious diseases may develop.Severe forms of parasitic diseases often lead to intestinal obstruction and nervous system disorders.Worms significantly reduce immunity, leaving the human body defenseless against other diseases of infectious or non-infectious origin.In more severe cases, the worms can cause brain damage and even death in humans.
Test for helminthic infestation.
Probably, each of us is worried about the question: am I suffering from a helminthic infestation?We provide you with a simple test and then count the number of positive responses to the following symptoms, which are the most characteristic of parasitic diseases:
- Do you feel itchy in your anus?
- Do you have skin rashes?
- Do you get headaches frequently?
- Do you often feel nauseous?
- Do you often worry about bowel movements: bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea?
- Do you have a restful and deep sleep?
- Do you notice swelling in your legs, body, or under your eyes in the morning?
- Do you suffer from bronchial asthma?
- Do you notice enlarged lymph nodes?
- Do you often feel bitterness in your mouth?
- Do you get tired easily?
- Do you feel a slight and unmotivated increase in body temperature?
- Does your skin have a yellowish tint?
- Do you snore or grind your teeth while you sleep?
- Have you lost weight due to good appetite?
You must answer: yes or no.If you have 8 positive answers, there is a risk of helminth infestation.In cases where there are more than 12 positive responses, there is a high probability that it is a parasitic disease.In such cases, you should consult an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist as soon as possible, perform a stool test for worm eggs and a general blood test.The test results will help confirm or refute helminth infestation.
Treatment methods for helminth infestation.
Currently, there are many ways to treat worms in children or adults.The choice of treatment depends on the treating doctor, the type of worm, the patient's age and other factors.The process of getting rid of worms is currently called deworming, which consists of taking special medications that must be prescribed by a doctor in each specific case.Worms: symptoms and treatment depend on many factors that the treating doctor must take into account.It is important to remember that you cannot treat worms yourself, which at best will not give results, and at worst will lead to complications, because all anti-worm drugs have a large number of contraindications and side effects.