The modern rhythm of life often does not allow us to pay attention to minor ailments: increased fatigue, dizziness, pain in the joints and intestines.We often associate minor illnesses with overwork, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety.But few people think that such diseases can be caused by worms (helminths), which can live in our body for a long time, causing a series of symptoms that we often perceive as signs of other diseases.The symptoms of worms in an adult or child depend on many factors, but in any case, the presence of parasites in our body causes discomfort and disgust, so it is very important to identify the parasite as soon as possible and carry out the appropriate treatment to remove it.
What is helminthic infection?
Worms in humans, or the medical term "helminthic infection", is a large group of diseases that develop after the penetration of parasites into the human body.According to medical indicators, it was found that about 80% of the population is infected with worms, but not everyone knows about it.As a rule, human parasites can be found in the human intestines or in internal organs and tissues.Worms are kept in the human body using special organs: suction cups, hooks and spines.They feed on tissue fluids or nutrients found in the blood.
During their life, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream, lymph and then spread throughout the body, penetrating the internal organs and systems, where they disrupt their functioning.Modern medicine recognizes more than a hundred types of helminths that parasitize the human body.Some of them do not cause much harm, while others are quite dangerous for human health and life.It is important to remember that worms, after entering the body, use our "resources" for their vital functions, causing numerous interruptions in the functioning of the entire organism.
In the initial stage, the symptoms of worms are unclear or completely absent.In such cases, the detection of parasites is quite difficult and is possible only when a person is attentive to his health, notices the smallest violations and takes measures to eliminate them.
Types of worms that parasitize the human body
Over many years of evolution, worms have learned to adapt well to the human environment.In parasitology, human worms are divided into two groups:
- Tissue helminths - parasitize human tissues or internal organs: cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, echinococcosis, filariasis and others, which can affect the human brain, liver, lungs, joints, etc.
- Cavity worms - live in the small or large intestine: tapeworms, needleworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms.
Worms do not have the ability to reproduce in the human body.The lifespan of some parasites is a few weeks (tubeworms), but some individuals can live for years (roundworms, tapeworms) and reach large sizes.The lifespan of cavitary worms is most often increased due to re-infection.Symptoms of worms in an adult or child directly depend on the number of helminths in the body, their type, general health and other characteristics of the human body.
How does worm infection occur?
You can become infected with helminths in several ways:
- Through soil: consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits, lack of personal hygiene when working with soil.
- Swimming in reservoirs.
- Domestic or street animals - cats, dogs - are frequent carriers of parasites.Infection can occur both during fun games with pets, and through soil or sand.
- Through food - animal meat that has not undergone the necessary heat treatment - the main source of infection with tapeworms.In addition to meat products, worms can also be found in dairy products, fish and canned foods.
- Failure to observe the rules of personal hygiene is the main cause of the appearance of worms in children, who often put dirty hands in their mouths and rub their eyes while playing or walking on the street.
Infection with helminthic infection can occur in another way.After diagnosing a parasitic disease, identifying the source of infection is difficult and almost impossible.
The first signs of helminthic infection
Once parasites enter the human body, they encounter barriers of the immune system, which recognizes them as foreign agents.If the immune system is strong, then there is every chance that helminths will not penetrate the body or be destroyed quickly.In cases where a person's immunity is weak, he cannot resist parasites that penetrate without barriers into the intestines, develop and turn into adults.After some time, when the parasites turn into adults, they begin to secrete large amounts of toxins that poison the human body.The remains of the worms penetrate the blood and spread throughout the body, causing the first signs, such as:
- periodic headaches;
- increased fatigue;
- appetite increases or decreases;
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- anal itching;
- sleep disturbance;
- increased sensitivity to allergens;
- increased nervousness.
Symptoms of worm infection in an adult or child negatively affect the state of the immune system;Skin rashes due to worms are also observed, which are often confused with dermatitis.Almost always, when the above symptoms appear, a person does not even suspect the presence of a parasitic disease, but begins to be examined by doctors of other fields of medicine, who, after the results of the tests, do not notice any significant abnormalities and give a recommendation or recommend tests for worms.
Symptoms of worms in humans
Symptoms of helminths in an adult or child depend directly on the type of parasite, its location and the intensity of the infection.For example, after infection with roundworms, symptoms will appear in 2-4 days.The clinic is always hidden and associated with a general disease of the body.In other cases, when infection with parasites has occurred, the first signs may appear after 2 - 3 weeks, and if a person is infected with filariasis, then the incubation period lasts up to 18 months.Let's consider the main symptoms of parasitic diseases, which are observed along with the signs of helminthic infection (listed above), caused by a certain helminth:
- Worms or enterobiasis - cause itching in the anal canal, which intensifies at night, teeth grinding in sleep.
- Trichocephalosis, diphyllobothriasis, schistosomes lead to the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
- Roundworms - increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees, dry cough with sputum production.Laboratory tests show an increased number of eosinophils and allergic rashes appear.In cases of severe infection, bronchitis with suffocation attacks and pneumonia may develop.In addition, gastrointestinal disorders and rapid and significant weight loss appear.
- Trichinosis – causes muscle pain, fever, swelling of the eyelids and limbs.
- Fascioliasis, Giardia, opisthorchiasis - affect the liver, causing symptoms of jaundice.There is an enlarged spleen, neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Urogenital schistosomiasis - causes diuretic disorders, characterized by the release of blood during urination.
In addition to the above symptoms that can be present with helminthic infection, there are also those that threaten human life, affecting the brain, central nervous system, eyes, joints and other organs.It is very important not to look for other diseases, but to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body with all tests for helminthic infection.Only then can the parasite be identified and all treatment methods aimed at eliminating it and restoring the functioning of the internal organs.
Worms are so dangerous
Worms in children - the symptoms often lead to a decrease in appetite, as well as the development of allergic reactions or bronchitis.In advanced forms, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and other serious diseases can develop.Severe forms of parasitic diseases often lead to intestinal blockage and nervous system disorders.Worms significantly reduce immunity, making the human body vulnerable to other diseases of infectious or non-infectious origin.In more severe cases, the worms can lead to brain damage and even death in humans.
Test for helminthic infestation
Probably, each of us is concerned with the question: do I suffer from helminthic infection?We offer you a simple test, then count the number of positive answers for the following symptoms, which are most characteristic of parasitic diseases:
- Do you feel itching in the anus?
- Do you have skin rashes?
- Do you often have headaches?
- Do you often feel nauseous?
- Do you often worry about bowel movements: flatulence, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea?
- Do you have a restful and peaceful sleep?
- Do you notice swelling in your legs, body or under your eyes in the morning?
- Do you suffer from bronchial asthma?
- Do you notice enlarged lymph nodes?
- Do you often experience bitterness in your mouth?
- Do you get tired easily?
- Do you experience a slight and unmotivated rise in body temperature?
- Does your skin have a yellow tint?
- Do you snore or grind your teeth in your sleep?
- Have you lost weight because of a good appetite?
You must answer: yes or no.If you have 8 positive answers, then there is a risk of helminthic infection.In cases where there are more than 12 positive responses, there is a high probability of a parasitic disease.In such cases, you should consult an infectologist or parasitologist as soon as possible, do a stool test for worm eggs and a general blood test.Test results will help confirm or rule out helminthic infestation.
Methods of treatment for helminthic infection
Currently, there are many ways to treat worms in children or adults.The choice of treatment depends on the attending physician, the type of worm, the age of the patient and other factors.The process of removing worms is currently called deworming, which consists of taking special medications that must be prescribed by the doctor in each specific case.Worms - symptoms and treatment depend on many factors that the attending physician must consider.It is important to remember that you cannot treat worms independently, which at best will not bring results, and at worst will lead to complications, because all drugs for worms have a large number of contraindications and side effects.