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 ailment to a cold or poisoning. But sometimes a person can see a whole worm or part of it in the feces. It is better to be regularly examined to detect 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 by the oral route, 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 of common use.
3 types of parasites can cause the greatest harm - flukes, tapeworms and roundworms. Worms are divided according to their habitat into intestinal and extraintestinal forms. Intestinal helminths have a complex structure, 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 settle in the intestines. Despite the primitive structure, it is difficult to get rid of them - they multiply very quickly, quickly become immune to medications. Against the background of infection, various infectious diseases develop.
Extraintestinal forms can move throughout the body with the help of the bloodstream. Most often, such 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 be infected if hygiene rules are not followed.
In 80% of infections with helminthiasis occurs due to dirty hands and poorly washed food of plant origin.
What does a human worm look like? These are parasites in the form of worms, mostly light in color. Their length varies from a few millimeters to 2–3 m.
roundworms
Most often, round worms occur in children.
Main types:
- roundworm - have a spindle-shaped structure, the length of females reaches 40 cm, they leave the body along with feces;
- pinworms - small worms of a grayish-white color, their length does not exceed 10 mm, adults and eggs can be found in feces;
- hookworm necators - outwardly similar parasites, length - no more than 15 mm, have sharp teeth;
- Vlasoglav - a worm about 5 cm long, completely white.
More:
- Enterobiasis - infection by contact parasites with pinworms. Helminthiasis refers to epidemiological diseases - when one person is infected, all persons in contact with him quickly become infected. Pinworms enter the body through the oral route. Enterobiasis is accompanied by severe itching in the anus, which often leads to re-infection.
- Trichuriasis is an infection with whipworm. 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 upon contact with the soil; they are carried 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 defeat of the blood vessels, the worm injects a special enzyme into it, which prevents blood clotting.
- Roundworms can freely move around the body, a person swallows eggs of parasites along with dirty vegetables, untreated water. Flies can be carriers of eggs.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
The main danger of helminthic invasions is the long-term absence of signs of infection. And when the symptoms appear, they are similar to other common diseases. A person begins to independently take pills for cough, fever, intestinal disorders or constipation, but self-medication does not give positive results.
Outwardly, 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 leucorrhea, 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. Worms provoke 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;
- sharp fluctuations in weight;
- manifestation 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 poisoning by parasites, oncological diseases develop. Severe intoxication leads to allergic reactions, hives, eczema. The mental state of a person 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 into his mouth, loves to 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 affect even 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, the treatment does not give the desired result, the helminthiasis passes into the chronic stage.
Toxocara live in the body of cats and dogs, go outside with feces. A child becomes infected when playing in the sandbox or on the ground, after contact with stray animals. These worms look like white threads of different thicknesses and lengths. A large photo with a description of the parasite can be used as a visual aid when communicating with a child about the need to thoroughly wash their hands.
The consequence of infection is increased aggressiveness, constant whims, apathy. The child begins to get tired quickly, the quality of sleep worsens. The main symptom that allows you to reliably find out 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 disrupted, problems with appetite and weight arise. When infected with whipworm, a child begins to develop a developmental delay, severe anemia.
Medical treatment
Since there can be more than 200 different helminths in the human body, there is no single method of treatment. Modern types of diagnostics help to accurately recognize which worms are present in the body, which allows you to prescribe adequate therapy. Most often, parasites of various types are found in humans.
Medicines affect only adults, they are powerless against larvae and eggs. Therefore, for complete deliverance, it is necessary to undergo several courses of antiparasitic therapy.
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 - wash your hands often, 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.