Worms in humans cause the development of diseases collectively called helminthiases. Worms are parasitic worms that can be found in almost all organs of our body: intestines, muscles, lungs, liver, heart and even eyes.
If a person has worms, the symptoms do not always appear; if they do appear, they are disguised as other diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, etc. Sometimes these symptoms are so vague that it can be very problematic to establish the cause; of a particular problem, especially when it comes to children.
Today, many parasites are known that can infect the human body. In total there are around 150 types of helminthiasis. All worms, depending on their shape and body structure, are divided into two large groups: nematodes or nematodes and flatworms.
Children are most often infected with worms, and the most common forms of helminthiasis (diseases caused by parasitic worms) are ascariasis and enterobiasis. The most dangerous worms that can live in the human body are echinococci and alveococci. For each group of parasites, special means have been developed, the treatment of which will remove worms from the body of an adult or child.
Types of worms in humans.
There are more than two hundred species of worms that infect humans. Most of them are not found in the middle zone, so about sixty species are common in our country. Parasites are divided into contact parasites (worms that are transmitted from one person to another), soil-transmitted helminths (the larva lives in the soil and invasion occurs when soil particles enter with food) and biohelminths (the parasites pass into the soil). human body through the meat of infected animals). or fish).
We name some of the most common groups of worms in humans:
- Annelids: pinworms, intestinal worms, whipworms, trichinella;
- Tapeworms – various types of tapeworms, echinococci, tapeworms;
- Flatworms: all types of flukes, trematodes.
Let's take a closer look at each type of worm that can live in the body of an adult.
- Nematodes are large, yellowish-red nematodes that reach a length of up to 40 cm in adulthood.
- The whipworm is a roundworm 30-50 mm long, which owes its name to the shape of its body: the front part is long and narrow, like a hair, and the rear part is short and wide.
- The broad tapeworm is a large tapeworm that reaches a length of about 10 meters and individuals can be found more than 20 meters in length;
- Hookworm is the combined name of two types of worms: duodenal hookworm and necator, intestinal worms 10 to 15 mm long.
- Trichinella are small round worms 2 to 5 mm long that cause a serious disease - trichinosis.
- The liver fluke (cat fluke) is a flat worm of the trematode class from 7 to 20 mm long. The disease caused by this parasite is called opisthorchiasis.
- Porcine and bovine tapeworms have a similar structure to tapeworms up to 6 meters long.
- Echinococcus parasitizes the human body not in the adult form, but in the form of an intermediate form - the Finns. Echinococcus itself is a tapeworm 3 to 5 mm long.
- Alveococcus is a worm similar to echinococcus, with a similar structure and development mechanism.
The symptoms and signs of a worm infestation depend on the type of parasite, its location in the body, and the stage of its development.
Helminths in the human body.
Worms are scientifically called helminths. Helminths are any worm that parasitizes the body of people, animals and plants. Consequently, helminths are not a specific type of parasite, but a whole group of different worms, three of which are the most common.
In modern society, helminths are still widespread. Especially often, helminth infestation occurs in children, hunters, fishermen and their families, as well as rural residents.
Helminths are a large order of parasitic worms that live on animals and plants, feeding and reproducing inside the body of the donor. The man is no exception. In our country alone there are more than 70 species of parasites. According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms. It is assumed that there is not a single adult person during whose life not a single worm has settled in his body.
Helminths. No matter how much parents control the cleanliness of their children's hands, it is almost impossible to protect them from worms (pinworms). Children explore the outside world; Nature arouses a special interest. They want to touch everything with their hands and taste it. People who eat fish, wild meat and poultry, and homemade milk are at risk of becoming infected with trichinosis and diphyllobothriasis.
Modern medical data show that many diseases occur due to helminthic infestations. For example, the relationship between oncology and prolonged parasite infection has been clinically demonstrated. Doctors and patients often misinterpret the signs of the presence of worms in humans. They begin to treat non-existent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
How can you get infected?
The causes of infection by human worms are very diverse, the route of infection depends directly on the type of worms and their life cycle, it can be:
- eat dirty vegetables;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules when preparing food;
- poor heat treatment of some food products, especially animal meat and fish;
- communication with pets – cats, dogs, some types of rodents;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules before eating, after going to the toilet, when returning from a walk;
- swim in polluted bodies of water.
During their life, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the blood and spread throughout the body, causing damage to the most important organs and systems.
General symptoms and signs of helminth infestation in children.
General symptoms of helminthiasis include:
- worsening or increased appetite;
- nausea, possibly vomiting;
- excessive salivation;
- stool disorders;
- the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen;
- dizziness, headaches;
- allergic reactions;
- increased frequency of colds;
- irritability, bad mood;
- Sleep disturbance;
- deterioration of physical and mental activity;
- dry cough.
Symptoms of worms in humans
Sometimes worms can parasitize the body of an adult for a long time without noticeable symptoms, in some cases they become the cause of the development of various chronic diseases, causing dangerous complications and even death;
With the onset of an acute period of helminthiasis, worms begin to feed intensively in the intestines of a sick person, causing various signs of disorders of the digestive system: dysbacteriosis, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Let's see what signs of helminths can be noticed. Let's list the most common general symptoms of worms in humans.
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction: diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain;
- Pain in the joints and muscles - parasites can move throughout the human body to settle in the most convenient places for their life, for example, in the joint fluid and muscles. When this happens, the person experiences painful sensations;
- Nervous system disorders and general malaise: manifested in the form of fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances and memory problems;
- Allergic reactions and skin manifestations (appearance of pimples, blackheads and other skin rashes) are also signs of the presence of worms in humans;
- Decreased immunity and, as a consequence, the development of infectious diseases;
- A sharp decrease in body weight;
- Anemia: some worms suck blood from the intestinal walls like leeches;
- Teeth grinding during sleep and sleep disturbances;
- Itching in the anus, especially at night. At this time, the female actively lays eggs, which causes itching in the anus;
- Enlarged lymph nodes, low body temperature;
- Inflammation of the respiratory tract (cough, fever, sputum production, runny nose), this is how the presence of worms can manifest itself.
The first specific signs will depend directly on the pathogen and the location of the worm in the human body. For example, large worms, flukes, and tapeworms like to parasitize the liver, which can lead to degeneration of liver cells, blocked bile ducts, blood clots, and cirrhosis. Nematodes and pinworms live in the intestines, so they will be excreted along with feces. To find out how to remove these worms from a person, you should consult a doctor, he will prescribe a suitable remedy.
Symptoms of worm infection may appear at different times from the time of worm infection. So, the first symptoms of ascariasis appear after 2-3 days. In most other helminthic infestations, symptoms of the disease appear after 2-3 weeks.
Most often, the main signs of worm infection in an adult are represented by allergic manifestations in the form of itching and rash, swelling, weakness, muscle pain, headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, increased number of eosinophils in the blood, etc.
Being parasites, worms feed on the body of their host. At the same time, they absorb a significant amount of proteins and carbohydrates, mineral elements, vitamins and other nutrients. Helminthiasis can be acute and chronic. The first lasts 2 to 3 weeks and usually manifests itself as allergies, while the chronic stage can last months, years or even decades.
What organs can worms affect?
There are two types of invasions: cavity and tissue. Depending on the species, habitats are also divided:
- Cavity worms settle in the small and large intestine. In particular, the first sections of the small intestine are affected by tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms. The lower part of the small intestine is the habitat of the dwarf tapeworm and pinworms. The large intestine usually becomes the habitat of whipworms.
- Tissue helminths affect organs of any type: liver, brain, lymph nodes, bile ducts.
Important! It is impossible to determine the signs of the presence of worms in a patient at the initial stage of development of the infestation. As long as the number of worms is small, the toxic poisoning by waste products is within normal limits, the body copes with the invasion by itself. The appearance of characteristic or acute symptoms indicates a significant increase in the number of helminthic infestations: the maturation of individuals and their dynamic development.
Complications of worms
Various helminths can cause serious alterations in the patient's condition. These are the most common complications:
- B12 deficiency anemia, iron deficiency anemia - causes a disruption of oxygen supply to tissues, requiring long-term recovery. It is manifested by pale skin, dry mouth, weakness, alterations in various body functions;
- Intestinal obstruction occurs when the parasite blocks the lumen with its body. Surgical treatment is required. Symptoms: abdominal pain, lack of stool, vomiting;
- Intestinal bleeding: If the worm attaches to the intestinal wall, it can damage your blood vessels. Symptoms: abdominal pain, weakness, blood in stool, vomiting. Requires surgical treatment;
- Fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver develop with a prolonged course of opisthorchiasis. The changes are irreversible. Symptoms: disturbed sleep and wakefulness, fluid accumulation in body cavities, loss of liver function;
- Abscesses of the affected organs are purulent inflammations. Symptoms are pain, high fever, weakness. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. An examination is required to detect the source of inflammation and surgical treatment.
Analysis of feces and scraping of worm eggs.
Worms are mainly intestinal parasites. It is through the intestines that your eggs are released. Therefore, to diagnose them, feces are taken for analysis. You can purchase a special container at the pharmacy to collect feces, although you can also use a matchbox or a jar.
So, to carry out the analysis you will need a container to collect material and a spatula. If a person sees fragments of worms or a whole helminth, it is also necessary to send it to the laboratory.
It is not necessary to take the feces to the laboratory immediately after collection. It must be submitted for examination within 24 hours. Until then, the collected biomaterial should be kept in the refrigerator. One exception is the collection of stool for testing for giardiasis. It should be delivered hot, as parasite cysts are destroyed when cooled. While the stool is being delivered to the laboratory, the container should be wrapped in a warm cloth.
To diagnose enterobiasis, a scraping is taken from the perianal folds, since female pinworms lay eggs in this area. Before the test, you should not wash your face for about 12 hours or go to the bathroom. Therefore, the optimal time to perform the analysis is in the morning.
Scraping is performed with a cotton swab, which is placed in a clean container and delivered to the laboratory. You can also use adhesive tape, which is peeled off the glass, adhered to the anal area for a while, then torn off and returned with the sticky side to the glass.
The biological material delivered to the laboratory is studied using a microscope. If a person is infected, the lab technician will see worm eggs, their larvae, or segments. Each parasite lays eggs that are unique to its species. Therefore, by studying the structure of the egg, it can be determined which worm is parasitic in the human body.
If there is a worm in the feces, most often it looks like a white stripe of different lengths. The worms can remain mobile. The type of worm can be determined in the laboratory.
However, it is not always possible to detect worms through stool analysis. For example, the analysis will not be informative if the human body is parasitized only by male nematodes that cannot secrete eggs.
Blood test for worms.
To identify worms in the blood, an immunological test is used to determine antibodies to the main types of helminths. The reliability and precision of ELISA is equal to 95%. It can be used to detect extraintestinal forms of helminthiasis.
Decoding ELISA results in a simplified way:
- Helminths parasitize the body if class M immunoglobulin (IgM) is elevated in the blood.
- The worms were already present in the human body before or the helminthic infestation became chronic and caused a weakening of the human immune system. This conclusion can be reached if the level of IgG immunoglobulins is elevated, but IgM is not detected in the blood.
In both cases, a more in-depth diagnosis and specific treatment will be necessary.
How does the parasite become infected and develop?
Each parasite has specific characteristics of its life cycle. According to the mechanism of infection, all helminthiases are divided into three main groups:
- contact helminthiasis;
- soil-transmitted helminthiasis;
- biohelminthiasis.
Contact helminthiasis
The development of parasites included in the group of contact helminths occurs entirely in the child's body. Worm eggs enter the digestive system, migrate to the intestines and after a while become adults. Sexually mature helminths form eggs, which are released with feces into the external environment. The development cycle repeats itself again.
Contact helminthiasis includes pinworm infection. The spread of these worms occurs through the fecal-oral mechanism. If a child does not wash their hands after using the bathroom, microscopic pinworm eggs remain on their fingers. Other children can become infected through contaminated household items and food touched by the sick person. In the spread of pinworms, non-compliance with personal hygiene rules is of great importance. Therefore, this helminthiasis is more common in childhood.
In addition to infecting others, a sick child can reinfect himself. Pinworms that come out of the anus lay eggs on the skin of the anal area. This process causes intense itching of the skin, so children often start scratching the painful area. If you do not wash your hands after this, a new portion of eggs enters the intestines. The parasite population increases, which leads to a deterioration in the child's condition.
soil-transmitted helminthiasis
The soil-transmitted helminthiasis group is represented by intestinal worms. For these parasites to develop, the feces of a sick child must reach the ground. The released eggs begin to actively develop and quickly reach the invasive stage, in which they can penetrate the human body.
Infection in children usually occurs due to the consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits that come into contact with the ground. Ascaris larvae remain in them, which penetrate the child's intestines and cause unpleasant symptoms of helminthiasis.
Biohelminthosis
For the development of worms that belong to the group of biohelminths, the presence of an intermediate host is necessary: a living organism in which the worm larvae will develop. It can be cattle (cows, pigs) and fish. Therefore, a child can become infected with worms by consuming food from unverified sources. Insufficient heat treatment of meat or fish contributes to infection. Through food you can become infected with echinococci, bovine and porcine tapeworms, and feline flukes.
Treatment of worms in humans.
The basis for the treatment of worms in humans is specific anthelmintic drugs; adults are prescribed the best time-tested tablets.
The choice of drug for treatment depends on the presence of specific worms in the human body. In the acute period of the disease, the doctor may prescribe the patient anti-allergy drugs, such as Suprastin or Claritin.
Only on the basis of tests and diagnoses, the doctor prescribes treatment for worms in a person, since anthelmintic drugs are quite toxic. If during the analysis worms are detected again, the specialist determines how to eliminate them and proposes a new treatment regimen based on the use of other antiparasitic pills that will better cope with the task.
Treatment
Anthelmintic therapy
The basis for the treatment of parasitic diseases is anthelmintic drugs. They must be usedstrictly as prescribed by the doctor, since when selecting a medication it is necessary to take into account a series of important factors:
- form of helminthiasis;
- disease development phase;
- pathogen;
- concomitant diseases of the child;
- characteristics of his condition.
Only a doctor can correctly evaluate these indicators and select the optimal drug. Self-medication for helminthiasis in children is unacceptable. Incorrectly chosen therapy is often not only ineffective, but is also accompanied by serious side effects.
How to perform a stool test for helminths and their eggs?
When selecting therapy, the doctor must take into account the causative agent of the disease. Do not rely on a universal remedy, since most drugs act only on a certain circle of helminths. If the wrong drug is used, the clinical picture of the disease in the child does not disappear, the disease continues to progress, which can lead to serious complications.
If there are several children in a family, doctors usually recommend anthelmintic therapy for all family members at once. This will prevent repeated cases of helminth infection after treatment.
Symptomatic therapy
In addition to anthelmintic therapy, the child is also prescribed symptomatic treatment aimed at eliminating the clinical manifestations of the disease. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, antihistamines are used: Suprastin, Tavegil, Claritin.
If the baby has severe manifestations of poisoning, antipyretics and pain relievers are prescribed. To relieve acute symptoms, plenty of fluids are prescribed or infusion therapy is performed. If there is a risk of developing vasculitis and myocarditis, glucocorticoids (for example, prednisolone) are prescribed.
How to treat worms with home remedies.
Traditional treatment methods include medicinal plants that have anthelmintic and laxative effects. Although the effectiveness of these remedies has not been scientifically proven, many of them have been used since ancient times to treat intestinal worms in humans at home.
- The best folk remedy is pumpkin seeds for worms. Take and peel the pumpkin seeds (80-100g), try not to damage the green skin. Grind them, add 2 tablespoons of honey and 100 grams of water, mix. This remedy should be taken strictly in the morning, on an empty stomach. One dining ship every hour for 3 hours. Then it is necessary to take a laxative and after 1 to 2 hours apply an enema.
- Grenade. Pomegranate bark contains punicin, which is very toxic to worms. Adults and children suffering from parasites should take a decoction of the bark in fresh water three times a day.
- Onion broth (pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 onion, leave for 2 days, consume before meals for 4 days)
As for prevention, to prevent helminth infestation, it is necessary to wash your hands with soap after returning from the street, heat treat meat and fish, do not drink raw water and do not swim in contaminated water bodies.
Prevention
The main prevention of helminthiasis in children is compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Therefore, we can name precautionary measures to prevent helminthic infestations:
- instill personal hygiene skills in children (washing hands after using the toilet, contacting animals, walking outside, before eating);
- combat bad habits (the child should be prohibited from sucking his fingers, biting his nails or putting foreign objects in his mouth);
- mosquito, fly and insect control;
- high-quality processing of meat and fish;
- high quality water disinfection;
- deworming of domestic dogs and cats;
- avoid contact with stray animals;
- thorough washing of vegetables and greens, berries and fruits;
- frequent change of underwear and bed linen (once a day);
- iron underwear and bed linen with a hot iron;
- carry out hygiene procedures in the anal area twice a day to prevent enterobiasis;
- wearing panties with elastic bands at night;
- thorough wet cleaning of the facilities.
Once in the body, helminths in children disrupt the normal functioning of various organs and systems. And if adults have a strong immune system that constantly fights against "uninvited guests", then this does not happen in a child: her body is still weak and vulnerable. Therefore, it is important to teach the child to observe personal hygiene rules as early as possible to prevent helminth infection and, if symptoms appear, immediately contact a specialist for subsequent anthelmintic treatment.