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 disease 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 examined regularly to detect foreign organisms in the body.
The main types of worms
Helminths of different 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 selected as an intermediate host, in the form of larvae they enter the human body, where they begin to develop actively;
- contact helminths - a small species, transmitted by contact through objects of common use.
The greatest damage can be caused by 3 types of parasites - shingles, tapeworms and roundworms. Worms are divided according to their habitat into intestinal and extraintestinal forms. Intestinal helminths have a complex structure, mainly multiplying outside the human body - roundworms, breast worms, tapeworms. They live only in the large and small intestines, feed on the mucosa 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 - 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 blood circulation. Most often, these toxins affect the cells of the liver, pancreas, spleen. Rarely - 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 feces.
Cestodes and trematodes enter the body with badly fried meat and fish, contaminated water. The rest of the parasites can become infected if the rules of hygiene are not followed.
In 80% of helminthiasis infections occur due to dirty hands and poorly washed food of plant origin.
What does a human worm look like? These are worm-shaped parasites, mostly light-colored. Their length varies from a few millimeters to 2-3 m.
round worms
Most often, roundworms appear in children.
Main types:
- roundworm - have a finger-shaped structure, the length of females reaches 40 cm, they leave the body along with the feces;
- foot worms - small gray-white worms, their length does not exceed 10 mm, adults and eggs can be found in the feces;
- Hookworm nectars - parasites similar on the outside, length - no more than 15 mm, have sharp teeth;
- Vlasoglav - a worm about 5 cm long, completely white.
More:
- Enterobiasis - infection by parasites in contact with breast worms. Helminthiasis refers to epidemiological diseases - when a person is infected, all persons in contact with it become infected quickly. Worms penetrate the body through the oral route. Enterobiasis is accompanied by severe itching in the anus, which often leads to re-infection.
- Trichuriasis is a whipworm infection. It lives in the initial section of the small intestine, feeding on mucous tissue and blood. With a large accumulation, severe diarrhea begins, rectal prolapse is possible.
- Breastworms affect the duodenum. The larvae enter through the skin after contact with the ground and are carried by the bloodstream to all internal organs and lungs. A person begins to have a strong cough, along with saliva, the larvae penetrate into the organs of the digestive system. After damaging the blood vessels, the worm injects a special enzyme into it, which prevents blood from clotting.
- Roundworms can move freely through the body, a person swallows parasitic eggs along with dirty vegetables, untreated water. Flies can be egg carriers.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
The main risk of helminth infestations is the long-term absence of signs of infection. And when the symptoms appear, they are similar to other common diseases. A person starts taking pills for cough, fever, intestinal disorders or constipation on their own, but self-medication does not give positive results.
From the outside, parasitic infection can appear in the form of acne, seborrhea, cracked heels, seizures in the corners of the mouth, papillomas. In women, they can provoke the release of leukorrhea, inflammation occurs in the ovaries, menstruation becomes painful and irregular. With prolonged infection, fibroids, fibroids, and mastopathy appear. In men, helminthiasis leads to impotence, prostate, 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, bloating;
- joint and muscle pain;
- sharp fluctuations in weight;
- manifestation of anemia.
Granulomas are a clear sign of infection. In these tumors, broken eggs accumulate, they form in the intestinal walls, lungs, liver and uterus. Against the background of persistent poisoning by parasites, oncological diseases develop. Severe intoxication leads to allergic reactions, urticaria, eczema. A person's mental state also changes - aggression is replaced by apathy, chronic fatigue and insomnia concerns appear.
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 the mouth, likes to make contact with animals, plays in the sand and soil. According to statistics, every third child who goes to a preschool has helminth. In children, pincer worms, ascaris, Giardia and Toxocara are often found.
Giardia are small parasites that also affect newborns. When infected, severe diarrhea begins, there is high fever, abdominal pain. Many parents attribute the signs of the manifestation of an intestinal infection, treatment does not give the desired result, helminthiasis passes into the chronic stage.
Toxocarates live in the body of cats and dogs, come out 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 various 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 the infection is increased aggression, constant whims, apathy. The child begins to get tired quickly, the quality of sleep deteriorates. The main symptom that allows you to detect with certainty about the infection is itching in the anus, the presence of parasites in the feces.
Gritting your teeth at night is not a sign of parasitic infection in a child.
Worm infections are dangerous for a child - chronic diseases develop, the immune system breaks down, 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 treatment method. Modern types of diagnostics help to accurately identify the worms present in the body, which allows you to prescribe adequate therapy. Most often in humans are found parasites of different types.
Medications affect only adults, they are powerless against larvae and eggs. Therefore, for complete liberation, 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.