Talking about helminths in humans, the symptoms, treatment of which are known to many even from childhood, one can not fail to realize that they are conditionally divided into several classes. Different types of parasites differ from each other not only in the form of damage to the human body, but also in the method of infection. Some of them are specialized. For example, for hunters, this is trichinosis, which is found in large quantities in wild birds, less frequently in ungulates. But how to correctly determine from the symptoms that a person has worms, and what methods to get rid of them are proposed by modern medicine?
Ways of infection
Worms in humans in 99% of cases occur due to violation of basic norms of individual hygiene. And they enter the body through the oral-fecal route, that is, through contact with the waste products of some infected animals or people (enough to visit a public toilet). It is impossible to show the exact signs of the disease (spread of parasites) in the human body, because there are many types of worms, and each has its own clinical picture. And despite the complex preparations used for their destruction act only on 2-3% of the types of helminths, the most common in the world. These include: pinworms, trichinosis, diphyllobothriasis, tapeworms, and others. These are the ones most often found in our bodies. But their largest diversity is found in Africa, where only 1 in 10 people are healthy. In them, helminths are mainly infected through water, which does not go through the required cleaning stage and is only infested with pathogens and parasites.
Given the type of worms in humans, it is worth noting those that enter the body through the flesh of infected animals. This, for example, includes the same pin worms that are found mainly in the soil. But as soon as they get meat, they begin to actively reproduce. By the way, their distributors often fly.
Often, the infection occurs through well water. And here no filter will help-just drain the liquid through a special thermal station, where it heats up to about 80-100 ° C. But this is quite expensive, so it is rarely installed in practice.
And, of course, if a worm is found in a person, then this means he or she is also a carrier of the parasite. Helminths can be contagious even through handshakes if patients do not wash their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet. For this reason, everyone can be infected, regardless of their place of residence, social status.
Note that helminths most often occur in children. There are several reasons for this:
- Parents do not care about the hygiene of their children, they do not tell about the basic rule that before eating, after visiting the toilet, it is necessary to wash hands with soap and water.
- Children's bodies are less resistant to helminths. Therefore, even a few cream worms can lead to the rapid spread of parasites in the baby’s body.
By the way, speaking of pinworms, remember that these are helminth worms that cannot reproduce while in the human body. That is, its distribution only occurs when the egg enters the oral cavity again. Therefore, if the infected person adheres to strict hygiene rules, then after 3-4 weeks he will be completely healthy - some of the helminths will be destroyed by immunity, the rest will leave the body naturally along with feces.
Variety of parasites
What helminths are recognized as the most common in the world? Of course, pinworms, which are found in almost every country on our planet. This is due to the fact that they freely infect humans and pets and can be spread, including through food and water. Symptoms of their appearance in the body are classic: violation of stool, function of the gastrointestinal tract, signs of major intoxication.
Types of parasites such as ringworms are mostly found in domestic and wild animals, but they almost never infect humans. They easily enter our bodies, but die in just a few days. In severe cases, for example, when the patient's immunity is very weak, the parasite settles in the lungs, sometimes in the liver, which is accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature. As a rule, at the same time, roundworms are clearly visible in the feces, even on visual inspection.
Trichinosis is another common type of helminth that enters the body primarily through unprocessed (thermal) fish and animal meat. It causes muscle aches, sometimes swelling of the face and general intoxication of the body.
But the most dangerous of the common helminths are tapeworms, as they can also cause spasmodic attacks, as their metabolic products affect the function of the nervous system. It is also dangerous that this type of helminth can live safely in our bodies for about 30 years, growing up to several meters long. In the final stages of infection, it can only be removed through surgery, as it can create tunnels in organs for rapid movement.
Schistosomiasis - helminths are more common in men (this is due to differences that exist in the process of urination in men and women). Infection with the worm is accompanied by a variety of symptoms, and in severe cases, the helminth can exit through the urethra. It should be noted that this type of worm is more common in Africa, as the infection only occurs through water or food.
Pathological symptoms
How can you know that someone has been exposed to helminths in the body? In the early stages - only through a comprehensive blood test, as well as feces, urine. In the laboratory, they study changes in the composition of these substances, changes in the background of antibodies. But ringworms and pinworms are easily identified even when taking a swab from the rectal cavity. Such an analysis must be performed upon passing the medical commission at the school, after receiving the hygiene book.
But the main symptoms of infection with worms appear much later, when their number in the body increases significantly, and this is accompanied by intoxication with parasitic waste products. For example, if we talk about flatworms, then the patient may not know about them even after several years from the onset of infection. Suspicion only leads to rapid weight loss (despite adhering to a healthy diet), as well as lethargy. By the way, many people know that in the 19th century (as well as the beginning of the 20th century), worms were commonly used in medicine to quickly lose excess weight. But this is only until scientists discover that such therapies are harmful to irreparable health.
Speaking of helminths, it should be noted that most of them can cause allergic reactions. And this is probably one of the most dangerous symptoms. In some patients, this can lead to sudden anaphylactic shock and even death due to rapid airway inflammation. And all this is due to the fact that in the waste products of helminths there is a large percentage of substances that cause allergies. Strongyloidiasis is the most common worm, its symptoms include such a reaction.
For diagnosis, doctors often use so -called symptom tests. This is a small sheet with about 20 questions. They offer to explain how often a person suffers from headaches, after eating what kind of food diarrhea starts, etc. In 80% of cases, test results are reliable, which is why many doctors still use such diagnostic tools.
Therapeutic measures
Given the fact that there are worms, and how different they are from each other, they should be treated differently. Most types of helminths are easily eliminated with the use of pesticides. They, in turn, destroy the positive microflora for them, thus making the body unsuitable for them to live temporarily. However, the use of such drugs is quite harmful to our immunity, so it should be used only as prescribed by the treating physician.
Do not forget that all worms are conditionally divided into round, flat and flukes, and various types of anthelmintic preparations are used to get rid of them. The variety of parasites, even in harsh climates, still remains high - more than 70 subtypes. Also, when determining the dose of pesticide used, it is necessary to take into account factors such as the age of the patient, his weight, the duration of infection (conditional, based on complex analytical data).
Nevertheless, most helminths can be easily eliminated with the help of anthelmintic medications. But keep in mind that you need to be treated within 3-4 months, after completing 2 courses of therapy. And here it is very important to follow a strict diet, recommendations for weight control.
Symptoms, the treatment of which exists in one or another type of parasite, are practically independent of its subtype. The clinical picture for the most part depends only on the physiological characteristics of the particular patient, and the period that has elapsed since the infection.
Preventive measures
As mentioned above, the most effective prevention of helminths is adherence to basic rules of personal hygiene, eating only well -treated foods. But those who like meat with blood belong to the most vulnerable category of patients, where worms are found in almost 97% of cases. The same goes for those who like to eat fresh vegetables and fruits bought in the store or at the market, without washing them under running water. And all due to the fact that people working in the harvest do not adhere to hygiene (because it is not provided by the employer).
Therefore, to know for sure that in a person the symptoms he goes to the clinic are not at all related to helminthiasis, he also takes blood, stool and urine tests. After all, some types of worms cause symptoms similar to those that occur with infectious lesions. These, for example, include diphyllobothriasis, an infection that is very similar to the simple flu. Nevertheless, the body’s response is so precisely linked to the properties of the toxins that the parasite will release into our body. This is accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature, runny nose and sore throat. But it is all due to dehydration. And ringworms and the toxins they secrete cause the same symptoms as those that violate the gastrointestinal tract.