Common causes of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems are helminths.Infection of children or adults with parasites causes a set of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to avoid this, you need to know how the worms are transmitted from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms can usually be treated, but such treatment involves the use of toxic drugs, so it is better to avoid infection with larvae.
What is a worm?
There are many types of helminths, which are divided into two categories - nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in the body of an animal or a person, affecting various organs and tissues, causing specific symptoms and general health problems.The size of worms varies: from a few millimeters to tens of meters.Helminths are contagious and their presence in the body is indicated by symptoms similar to other diseases (intestinal, liver, pancreas, etc.).
Where do parasites come from?The occurrence of helminths in the body is often associated with insufficient hand hygiene, but this is not the only way of transmission.Different types of parasites are transferred from one person to another in different ways.Pathology caused by worms that spread between humans is called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, however, despite this, the process of infection with them is more or less the same.Parasite eggs and larvae can enter the body along with food, water, sexual contact, etc.Another common method of infection is ingestion of mature individuals or body fragments of worms.After entering the body, helminths begin to develop and some of them reproduce.Some types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered with a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthiasis is characterized by active development, and the lack of adequate treatment will lead to the deterioration of the patient's health.In addition, without appropriate therapy, a person becomes a source of spread of helminthiasis.The most commonly diagnosed helminthic infections are ascariasis and enterobiasis.Roundworms and pinworms have effective protection - a sticky shell, thanks to which they remain firmly inside the organ.
Are worms transmitted from person to person?
With strict adherence to all hygiene rules, it is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infections.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by about 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals do not pose the greatest risk of being infected with helminths.The route of infection by parasites through contact between people is the most common, in addition, some types of worms are transmitted only in this way.
Risk groups include preschool children and children who go to primary school.This is explained by the still fragile immune system, the daily presence of children in public places, the characteristics of children's bodies, and the usual habit of biting nails.Parents should know how helminthiasis is spread - this will prevent infection of the baby.
How are worms transmitted?
There are several main ways parasites spread.How does helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- By airborne droplets.In this case, a person, as a rule, ingests eggs, fragments or larvae of worms by eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is very important to wash the product thoroughly before use), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, eating meat or fish carrying parasites.
- For household contacts.Egg-laying worms are still immature, which, leaving the host, remain harmless to others for several weeks.However, larvae can remain under fingernails for a long time and can be transmitted through shaking hands, other personal contact, or sharing hygiene items and underwear.
- Through saliva.Pinworms and other types of parasites are able to move from one host to another in this way, but this is highly unlikely.
- Methods of transmission of transmissible worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites when attacked by carriers of helminth larvae such as insects (lice, mosquitoes, mosquitoes).As a rule, such dangers exist in countries with a tropical climate.
- Transplacental route.If the mother is a carrier, they can pass through the placenta to the baby.
Percutaneous route
With this method of helminthiasis infection, pathogen larvae/eggs penetrate the human body through mucous membranes or skin.The percutaneous route involves the attack of larvae waiting in the soil on a person.At the same time, they penetrate into the skin and migrate to the intestines.Another example is a person contracting schistosoma while swimming in a pool.As a rule, such dangerous parasites live in places with warm weather conditions.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is almost no chance of helminthiasis being infected through saliva (during kissing).Worms do not live in the mouth, nor do their eggs live in the early part of the digestive tract.Saliva should not contain parasite larvae;in addition, it acts as the first barrier against helminths entering the body, therefore, through a kiss, they can enter the human body only if specific requirements are met:
- one of the partners has just bitten, but not swallowed, a product contaminated with helminths;
- the woman kisses the palm of the child who has just played in the sandbox and immediately kisses her husband;
- just before the kiss, one of the partners touches his lips to an object containing worm eggs.
Is it possible to get parasites through the bed?
The eggs of pinworms and some other helminths live outside the animal or human body for several months, and in everyday life they can be found on any surface touched by the carrier.You can become infected with parasites through beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So, if one family member is infected, then after a short period, the whole household is infected.Everyone should be tested and start treatment on time so as not to continue the spread of helminthiasis among loved ones and people around them.
Worm infection of mother and child
Doctors do not exclude the possibility of fetal infection with worms through placental tissue.In addition, if a woman, during pregnancy, is infected with any helminthiasis pathogen, the risk that the child will get sick is very high.It is unlikely that the parasite will enter the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby's body during childbirth, when the baby moves out through the birth canal.Helminthic attacks of mother and child require complex treatment, while many drugs are prohibited for use, so traditional medicine is often used.
Worm infection through sexual contact
There is a risk of getting a helminthic disease during intimacy with a parasite carrier, especially if we are talking about amoebiasis or giardiasis.Statistics show that infection through sexual contact is more common among people with a gay sexual orientation.As a rule, Giardia and amoeba live in the intestines and organs of the genitourinary system, so protective measures such as contraception cannot protect healthy people from this disease.
Do worm infections occur through food?
A common variant of parasite infection is through household contact.Often a person becomes ill with helminthiasis by eating from dishes containing worm larvae or eggs.The pattern of spread looks like this: after visiting the toilet, a child or an adult does not wash their hands well or at all, and then, while setting the table, touches cutlery, plates, and other items.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs end up on food and then directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first sit on feces and then on plates.When the initial signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately see a doctor to get a test and determine the type of parasite.Specialists will help you choose adequate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms
There are many types of parasites, which cannot be protected from through vaccination or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the possibility of helminthiasis, because over the years it has become a widespread problem and often leads to the development of severe concomitant pathologies.Despite the fact that new powerful drugs against worms are constantly appearing, parasites adapt to toxic substances and are still transmitted from person to person.
Due to the spread of the problem, measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms are appropriate and mandatory:
- strictly adhere to hygiene rules;
- meat and fish subject to thorough processing before consumption;
- provide each family member with personal hygiene items (wipes, toothbrushes, towels, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink clean water exclusively;
- eliminate bad habits;
- reduce consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual examination of the body for helminthic infestation.