According to WHO studies, almost the entire population is infected with worms. Many people are unaware of the presence of helminths and protozoa, and attribute the weakness to colds or poisoning. But sometimes a person can see all or part of the worm in the feces. It is better to be examined regularly 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 orally, flies can be carriers;
- biohelminths - the body of a fish or animal is selected as an intermediate host, in the form of larvae enter the human body, where they begin to actively develop;
- contact helminths - a small species, which is transmitted by contact through objects of common use.
The greatest damage can be caused by 3 types of parasites - flukes, tapeworms and roundworms. Worms are divided into intestinal and extraintestinal forms according to their habitat. Intestinal helminths have a complex structure, they mainly reproduce outside the human body - roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms. They live only in the large and small intestine, they feed on the mucous membranes of organs.
The simplest organisms can inhabit the intestines - giardia, cryptosporidium. Despite their primitive structure, they are difficult to get rid of - they multiply very quickly, quickly becoming immune to drugs. Various infectious diseases develop in the background of the infection.
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. This form of infection is difficult to diagnose because it is not always possible to detect these worms in a person's feces.
Cestodes and trematodes enter the body with lightly fried meat and fish, dirty water. Other parasites can become infected if hygiene rules are not followed.
In 80% of cases, helminthiasis is caused by dirty hands and poorly washed food of plant origin.
What does a human worm look like? These are worm-shaped parasites, mostly light in color. Their length varies from a few millimeters to 2-3 m.
roundworms
Roundworms are most common in children.
Main types:
- roundworms - have a spindle-shaped structure, the length of females reaches 40 cm, they leave the body together with feces;
- pinworms - small worms of grayish-white color, their length does not exceed 10 mm, adults and eggs can be found in feces;
- some hookworms - outwardly similar parasites, length - no more than 15 mm, have sharp teeth;
- Vlasoglav - worm about 5 cm long, completely white.
More:
- Enterobiosis - infection with contact parasites with pinworms. Helminthiasis refers to epidemiological diseases - when one person is infected, all persons in contact with it are quickly infected. Pinworms enter the body orally. Enterobiosis is accompanied by severe itching in the anus, which often leads to re-infection.
- Trichuria is a whiplash infection. It lives in the initial part of the small intestine, feeds on mucous tissues and blood. With a large accumulation, severe diarrhea begins, rectal prolapse is possible.
- Hookworms affect the duodenum. The larvae enter through the skin in contact with the ground, and are transmitted through the bloodstream to all internal organs and lungs. The person begins to have a strong cough, together with sputum, the larvae penetrate the organs of the digestive system. After the defeat of blood vessels, the worm injects a special enzyme that prevents blood clotting.
- Ocal worms can move freely around 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 long-term absence of signs of infection. And when symptoms do occur, they are similar to other common diseases. The person starts taking cough tablets, fever, intestinal upset or constipation on their own, but self-medication does not give positive results.
Externally, parasite infection can manifest itself in the form of acne, seborrhea, cracked heels, attacks in the corners of the mouth, papillomas. In women, they can cause the release of leukorrhea, inflammation 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. 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, bloating;
- joint and muscle pain;
- sharp fluctuations in weight;
- manifestation of anemia.
Granulomas are a clear sign of infection. Destroyed eggs accumulate in these tumors, which form on the walls of the intestine, 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, insomnia worries.
The main symptom is worms in the stool. They can be seen visually or detected using special analysis.
Children and parasites
Worms are diagnosed more often in children than in adults. The child puts dirty hands, toys in his mouth, likes contact with animals, plays in the sand and earth. According to statistics, every third child who attends 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, fever, abdominal pain occur. Many parents attribute the signs of the manifestation of intestinal infection, treatment does not give the desired result, helminthiasis goes into a chronic phase.
Toxocara live in the body of cats and dogs, they 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 thickness and length. A large photograph describing the parasite can be used as a visual aid in communicating with the child about the need for thorough hand washing.
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 reliably find out 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 parasite infestation in a child.
Worm infestations are dangerous for children - chronic diseases develop, the immune system is disturbed, there are problems with appetite and weight. When infected with a whip, the child begins to develop developmental delay, severe anemia.
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 identify which worms are present in the body, which allows you to prescribe adequate therapy. Parasites of various types are most common in humans.
The drugs act only on adults, they are powerless against larvae and eggs. Therefore, for complete relief, 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 helminth infection - 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.