There are about 250 types of worms that pose a threat to the health of an adult. As a result of infection with parasitic worms, helminthosis develops. The vital activity of worms in internal organs can cause severe allergies, hypovitaminosis, pancreatitis. All age groups of the population are susceptible to infection, but the rate of infection is higher in children.
Most types of worms live inside the body, only there they lay eggs and die after a certain time.
Forms of parasitic worms and their developmental characteristics
Depending on the method of spread, the main groups of parasites are distinguished:
- biological worms. In the process of going through the full cycle of development, several owners are changed. These include tapeworms, nematodes, echinococci.
- Geohelminths. Without intermediate hosts, but can spread through soil. Humans are infected by eating unwashed vegetables and fruits. Main representatives: roundworm, whipworm, nekators.
- Helminths come into contact with an infected person. This group includes pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
More than 150 species of helminths have been recorded in humans.
Parasites also differ according to their location in the body:
- tissue affects the internal organs and tissues that make up their composition;
- Cavite lives in the intestinal lumen and absorbs the nutrients needed by humans.
According to their appearance, helminths are divided into 3 groups:
- roundworms;
- flatworms;
- flakes.
Methods of infection with helminths
In most cases, parasites enter the host organism in the following ways:
- Worm larvae or eggs fall into soil or water with faeces and infect humans when they ingest unwashed food or raw liquids. The possibility of invasion through water bodies increases during the summer holidays.
- When in contact with a sick person or shared objects. This method of distribution is typical for pinworms. At night, the female leaves the anus and lays eggs. This process causes severe itching, as a result of which the eggs remain on the hands and underwear. Later they have fun with a healthy person.
- Infection with tapeworms occurs when eating raw and undercooked meat. Tapeworms of this species infect the muscle tissue of intermediate hosts, including cattle and pigs.
- Insects can carry eggs and worm larvae on their limbs, increasing the potential area of infestation.
The life cycle of the vast majority of parasites consists of releasing a large number (millions) of eggs that penetrate the human body and turn into larvae after a certain period of time.
The development of the parasite in the human body can cause acute and chronic forms of the disease. The acute form is characterized by obvious symptoms and lasts up to two months. Chronic invasion can be observed throughout a person's life if left untreated.
The main types of helminths that parasitize humans
Each form of microorganisms is characterized by damage to a certain organ and corresponding symptoms. However, all parasites are united by the method of obtaining nutrients - at the expense of the host organism. At this time, a person's metabolism is disrupted, anemia and other types of diseases occur.
There are different forms of helminths:
- Roundworms are large white nematodes up to 20 cm long. Adults live in the small intestine and larvae can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. They belong to geohelminths, infection occurs when unwashed vegetables, fruits and water are consumed. Parasite eggs are also collected in the sand.
- Pinworms are small worms that are visible to the naked eye after a bowel movement. Distribution zone - the lower part of the small intestine. Under the influence of the parasite, enterobiosis occurs. The cause of infection is contact with an unhealthy person. It is very common in children under 14 years of age.
- Tape helminths. These include beef and pork strips, wide strips. They are distinguished by their ability to rapidly increase the population due to hermaphroditism. Their body consists of many parts, including the reproductive system and thousands of eggs. Depending on the type of parasite, various diseases occur. Localized in the small intestine, it damages the mucosa of the epithelium. It accumulates in the lumen of the intestine and can cause its blockage. Infection occurs when eating undercooked beef, pork or fish.
- Vlasoglav - a round worm that looks like a hair with a thickened back. Due to the characteristics of the structure, it penetrates into the blood vessels and is fed with tissue fluid. Lack of treatment leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to infections and cancer. The source of contamination is unwashed products.
The insidiousness of helminthosis is that it is successfully disguised as other diseases.
The development of the parasite from an egg to a sexually mature individual occurs within three weeks. During this period, symptoms may be absent or manifest in a mild form. If left untreated, the intensive reproduction of worms will lead to the disease becoming chronic.
Symptoms of the disease with helminth infection
The main symptoms of infection with worms are as follows:
- weakness and fatigue;
- pain in the intestines;
- constipation alternating with diarrhea;
- swelling of the face or the whole body;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes, coughing and choking;
- skin rashes that cause itching;
- pain in the joints.
Since the topic of parasites is unpleasant and scary, many myths have arisen about these harmful organisms.
The consequences of infection with worms are often disguised as other diseases. The difference between pathologies lies in the specific signs of disturbances in the body's work. Depending on the type of helminths, there may be:
- increased saliva, a slight increase in temperature, urticaria with ascariasis;
- frequent urge to urinate, sleep disturbance, painful pain in the navel when infected with pinworms;
- nausea, vomiting, pallor of the skin, hypotension with tapeworms;
- yellowing of the sclera, dizziness, heaviness in the liver, pains in the whole body in case of fluke invasion.
With the help of tests, it is important to detect worms in time and apply effective treatment.
Symptoms of helminthiasis directly depend on the type of parasite, its localization in the body and the intensity of the infection.
Methods of material sampling for the detection of intestinal parasites
The main analysis that allows you to accurately diagnose the presence of worms is the study of feces. The material is delivered to the laboratory in a sterile container on the day of stool collection. The use of laxatives and urine entering the material is unacceptable. The stool container should be kept in a refrigerator at 4-5 degrees until it is sent to the laboratory.
In addition, the following tests may be prescribed:
- immunological test;
- blood and urine analysis;
- vaginal discharge in women and girls;
- examination of sputum in case of cough;
- ultrasound and endoscopy;
- bile analysis.
ELISA blood test is an effective method to detect helminths in the body.
A person can be infected with one type of helminth or several types. As a rule, the presence of single individuals in the body is characterized by the absence of symptoms. An increase in the population of worms causes serious damage to internal organs, which leads to poor health. The symptoms of the disease worsen at night, which additionally affects the resistance to the parasite.
Methods of treatment of helminthic infestations
Special drugs affect different groups of helminths. The use of drugs is possible both in case of infection and for prevention. Prescribe drugs only after determining the type of worm that infects the body.
Adult ascarids and pinworms are destroyed with drugs containing mebendazole, which inhibits the worm's ability to feed and reproduce.
Modern tablets from worms are divided into three groups depending on the sensitivity of the parasites to the drugs.
Vlasoglav is affected by preparations containing mebendazole and albendazole. Iron-containing preparations are necessary to eliminate the consequences of rectal prolapse.
The course of treatment is strictly prescribed by the attending physician. Due to various contraindications, self-administration of drugs is unacceptable.
Use of traditional medicine
The most common remedy against worms is pumpkin seeds. It is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, after grinding and adding honey. The recommended dose is about 300 grams per hour. After taking, it is necessary to clean the stomach with laxatives.
Various decoctions and infusions have proven their effectiveness:
- tansy;
- gentian yellow;
- immortal sandy;
- garlic.
Folk remedies for worms in adults are recommended for preventive and curative purposes.
It is recommended to use wormwood decoction as an enema. It is possible to use fresh herb juice mixed with alcohol. The root and its juice also destroy parasites.
Preventive measures against worms and their effectiveness
Clean hands are the most effective way to protect children and adults from any kind of parasitic infection. The concept and rules of personal hygiene should be formed in children from an early age. A healthy lifestyle also helps reduce the likelihood of disease.
Purified or boiled water should be available around the clock to eliminate the possibility of drinking contaminated liquid. Vegetables and fruits are best washed with boiling water.
Be careful when handling animals. Pets should be treated against various parasites, both external and internal. Do not forget about the usual vaccinations for dogs and cats.
Vaccinations will minimize the risk of losing a family member to one of the common diseases.
It is possible to use preventive medicines prescribed by the doctor. Infection with worms can turn into dangerous diseases, so it is important to minimize the risk of worms getting into the human body.