Almost the entire population is infected with worms, according to WHO studies. Many people are unaware of the presence of helminths and protozoa and attribute the malaise to a cold or poisoning. But sometimes a person can see a whole worm or part of it in the stool. It is best to be examined regularly for foreign organisms in the body.
The main types of worms
Helminths of various types can live in the human body, they affect not only the stomach, but also other internal organs.
Depending on the habitat, they are divided into several main classes:
- geohelminths - larvae live in feces, human infection occurs orally, flies can be carriers;
- biohelminths - the body of fish or animals is chosen as an intermediate host, in the form of larvae they enter the human body, where they begin to actively develop;
- contact helminths - a small species, transmitted by contact through objects in common use.
The most damage can be done by 3 types of parasites - worms, tapeworms and roundworms. The worms are divided according to their habitat into intestinal and extraintestinal forms. Intestinal helminths have a complex structure, they mainly multiply outside the human body - roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms. They live only in the large and small intestines, feed on the mucous membranes of the organ.
The simplest organisms - giardia, cryptosporidium - can also establish themselves in the intestines. Despite the primitive structure, it is difficult to get rid of them - they multiply very quickly, quickly become immune to drugs. Against the background of infection, various infectious diseases develop.
Extraintestinal forms can move throughout the body with the help of the bloodstream. Most often, these helminths affect the cells of the liver, pancreas, spleen. Less often - the brain, respiratory and visual organs, lymph nodes, soft tissues. It is difficult to make a diagnosis with this form of infection as it is not always possible to detect these worms in a person's stool.
Cestodes and flukes enter the body with poorly fried meat and fish, dirty water. The rest of the parasites can become infected if hygiene rules are not followed.
In 80% of infections, helminthiasis occurs due to dirty hands and poorly washed plant foods.
What is a human worm like? These are parasites in the form of worms, mostly light in color. Its length varies from a few millimeters to 2-3 m.
worms
Most often, round worms occur in children.
Main types:
- roundworm - it has a spindle-shaped structure, the length of females reaches 40 cm, they leave the body along with the feces;
- pinworms - small worms of gray-white color, their length does not exceed 10 mm, adults and eggs can be found in the feces;
- hookworm necators - apparently similar parasites, length - no more than 15 mm, have sharp teeth;
- Vlasoglav - a worm about 5 cm long, completely white.
Most:
- Enterobiasis - infection by parasites from contact with worms. Helminthiasis refers to epidemiological diseases - when a person is infected, everyone in contact with them quickly becomes infected. Pinworms enter the body through the oral route. Enterobiasis is accompanied by intense itching in the anus, which often leads to reinfection.
- Trichuriasis is an infection with trichuriasis. It lives in the initial section of the small intestine, feeds on mucous membrane tissues and blood. With a large accumulation, severe diarrhea begins, prolapse of the rectum is possible.
- Hookworms affect the duodenum. The larvae enter through the skin in contact with the soil and are transported by the bloodstream to all internal organs and lungs. A person begins to have a strong cough, along with sputum the larvae penetrate the organs of the digestive system. After the blood vessels are defeated, the worm injects a special enzyme into it, which prevents the blood from clotting.
- Roundworms can move freely through the body, a person swallows parasite eggs along with dirty vegetables, untreated water. Flies can be egg carriers.
Symptoms of Helminthiasis
The main danger of helminthic invasions is the prolonged absence of signs of infection. And when symptoms do appear, they are similar to other common ailments. A person starts taking pills for cough, fever, bowel disorders or constipation on their own, but self-medication does not give positive results.
Externally, infection with parasites can manifest itself in the form of acne, seborrhea, cracked heels, seizures in the corners of the mouth, papillomas. In women, they can provoke the release of leucorrhoea, inflammation occurs in the ovaries, menstruation becomes painful and irregular. With prolonged infection, fibroids, fibroids and mastopathy appear. In men, helminthiases lead to impotence, prostatitis, prostate adenoma. The worms cause the formation of sand and stones in the kidneys and bladder.
Symptoms of Invasion in Humans:
- frequent colds, respiratory diseases;
- chronic inflammation of Organs respiratory organs and paranasal sinuses;
- constipation, diarrhea, flatulence;
- joint and muscle pain;
- sharp weight fluctuations;
- manifestation of anemia.
Granulomas are a sure sign of infection. In these tumors, the destroyed eggs accumulate, they form on the walls of the intestines, lungs, liver and uterus. Against the background of constant poisoning by parasites, oncological diseases develop. Severe intoxication leads to allergic reactions, hives, eczema. A person's mental state also changes - aggression is replaced by apathy, chronic fatigue appears, and insomnia worries.
The main symptom is worms in the stool. They can be seen visually or detected using special analysis.
Children and parasites
Worms in children are diagnosed more often than in adults. The child puts dirty hands, toys in his mouth, loves contact with animals, plays in the sand and earth. According to statistics, every third child who attends a preschool has helminths. In children, pinworms, ascaris, Giardia and Toxocara are often found.
Giardia are small parasites that even affect newborns. When infected, severe diarrhea begins, there is a high temperature, abdominal pain. Many parents attribute the signs to the manifestation of an intestinal infection, treatment does not give the desired result, helminthiasis passes into the chronic stage.
Toxocara live in the body of dogs and cats, they come out with feces. A child becomes infected while playing in the sandbox or on the floor, after contact with stray animals. These worms look like white threads of different thicknesses and lengths. A large photo depicting the parasite can be used as a visual aid when communicating with a child about the need to wash their hands thoroughly.
The consequence of infection is increased aggression, constant whims, apathy. The child begins to tire quickly, the quality of sleep deteriorates. The main symptom that allows you to reliably discover the infection is itching in the anus, the presence of parasites in the stool.
Grinding your teeth at night is not a sign of a parasite infestation in a child.
Worm infestations are dangerous for a child - chronic diseases develop, the immune system is disrupted, appetite and weight problems arise. When infected with whipworm, a child begins to develop a developmental delay, severe anemia.
Medical treatment
As there can be over 200 different helminths in the human body, there is no single method of treatment. Modern types of diagnosis help to accurately recognize which worms are present in the body, which makes it possible to prescribe the appropriate therapy. Most often, parasites of various types are found in humans.
The drugs affect only adults, they are powerless against larvae and eggs. Therefore, for complete release, it is necessary to undergo several courses of antiparasitic therapy.
Worms in the body can cause many serious diseases - chronic diseases of Organs digestive and respiratory organs, nervous disorders, glaucoma, tumors of various origins. It is easy to prevent helminth infection - wash your hands often, use antibacterial agents outside, subject meat and fish to high-quality heat treatment, do not drink raw water, pour boiling water over all vegetables and fruits without exception.