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 feces. 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.
According to the habitat, they are divided into several main classes:
- soil-transmitted helminths - larvae live in feces, human infection occurs through the mouth, 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 everyday objects.
The greatest harm can be caused by 3 types of parasites - flukes, tapeworms and roundworms. Worms are divided according to their habitat into intestinal and extra-intestinal forms. Intestinal helminths have a complex structure, multiply mainly outside the human body - roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms. They live only in the large and small intestine, feed on the mucous membranes of the organ.
The simplest organisms - giardia, cryptosporidium - can also settle 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.
Extra-intestinal forms can travel throughout the body with the help of blood circulation. 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, since it is not always possible to detect these worms in a person's feces.
Cestodes and trematodes enter the body with poorly fried meat and fish, dirty water. The rest of the parasites can become infected if the rules of hygiene are not observed.
In 80% of cases, helminthiasis is caused by dirty hands and poorly washed plant foods.
What does a human worm look like? They are parasites in the form of worms, mostly light in color. Their length varies from a few millimeters to 2 to 3 m.
roundworms
Most often, roundworms occur in children.
Main Types:
- roundworms - have a spindle-shaped structure, the length of females reaches 40 cm, they leave the body with feces;
- pinworms - small worms of grayish-white color, their length does not exceed 10 mm, adults and eggs can be found in feces;
- hookworms - outwardly similar parasites, length - no more than 15 mm, have sharp teeth;
- Vlasoglav - a worm about 5 cm long, completely white.
Continued:
- Enterobiasis - infection by contact parasites with pinworms. Helminthiasis refers to epidemiological diseases - when a person is infected, all people in contact with him are quickly infected. Pinworms enter the body through the oral route. Enterobiasis is accompanied by severe itching in the anus, which often leads to reinfection.
- Trichuriasis is a whipworm infection. He lives in the initial section of the small intestine, feeds on mucous tissue and blood. With a large accumulation, severe diarrhea begins, prolapse of the rectum is possible.
- Hookworms affect the duodenum. The larvae penetrate through the skin in contact with the ground and are carried by the bloodstream to all internal organs and the lungs. A person begins to have a strong cough, accompanied by sputum, the larvae enter the organs of the digestive system. After the defeat of blood vessels, the worm injects a special enzyme into them, which prevents blood clotting.
- Roundworms can move freely in the body, a person swallows parasite eggs with dirty vegetables, untreated water. Flies can carry eggs.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
The main danger of helminthic invasions is the long-term absence of signs of infection. And when symptoms appear, they resemble other common illnesses. A person begins to take pills for cough, fever, intestinal disorders or constipation on his own, but self-medication does not bring positive results.
Outwardly, infection with parasites can manifest itself in the form of acne, seborrhea, cracked heels, convulsions in the corners of the mouth, papillomas. In women, they can cause the release of leucorrhoea, inflammation occurs in the ovaries, menstruation becomes painful and irregular. With prolonged infection, fibroids, fibroids and mastopathy appear. In men, helminthiasis leads 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 the respiratory organs and paranasal sinuses;
- constipation, diarrhea, flatulence;
- joint and muscle pain;
- strong fluctuations in weight;
- manifestations of anemia.
Granulomas are a clear sign of infection. In these tumors, destroyed eggs accumulate, they form on the walls of the intestines, in the lungs, liver and uterus. Against the background of constant poisonings with parasites, oncological diseases develop. Severe poisoning 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 the presence of worms in the stool. They can be seen visually or detected using a special scan.
Children and Parasites
Worms in children are diagnosed more often than in adults. The child puts dirty hands, toys in his mouth, enjoys contact with animals, plays in sand and earth. According to statistics, every third child who attends kindergarten has helminths. In children, pinworms, roundworms, Giardia and Toxocara are often found.
Giardia are small parasites that even affect newborn babies. When infected, severe diarrhea begins, there is a high temperature, abdominal pain. Many parents attribute the signs to the manifestation of an intestinal infection, the treatment does not give the desired result, the helminthiasis passes into the chronic stage.
Toxocara lives in the body of cats and dogs, come out with feces. A child becomes infected while playing in the sandpit or on the ground, after being in 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 for thorough hand washing.
The consequence of infection is increased aggressiveness, constant whims, apathy. The child begins to tire quickly, the quality of sleep deteriorates. The main symptom that allows you to reliably learn about the infection is itching in the anus, the presence of parasites in the feces.
Teeth grinding 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 disturbed, appetite and weight problems occur. When infected with whipworm, a child begins to develop developmental delay, severe anemia.
Medical treatment
Since there can be more than 200 different helminths in the human body, there is no single treatment method. Modern types of diagnostics help to accurately recognize which worms are present in the body, which allows you to prescribe adequate treatment. Most often, parasites of various types are found in humans.
Medicines only affect adults, they are powerless against larvae and eggs. Therefore, for complete deliverance, it is necessary to follow several antiparasitic treatments.
Worms in the body can cause many serious diseases - chronic diseases of the digestive and respiratory organs, nervous disorders, glaucoma, tumors of various origins. It is easy to avoid infection with helminths - often wash your hands, use antibacterial agents on the street, subject meat and fish to high-quality heat treatment, do not drink raw water, pour boiling water over all vegetables and fruits without exception.