Unfortunately, even in modern, developed times, there is a risk of infection with helminths. In order to be able to treat and prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary, at a minimum, to familiarize yourself with the main types of worms.
Types of worms
In medical sources, in which you can find the answer to the question of what types of worms a person has, they provide data on a wide variety of varieties. Of course, some types are the most common. According to the classification, they can be divided into 3 main types. These are: roundworms and tapeworms, as well as flukes.
roundworms
The first in the list of types of worms in humans is to indicate roundworms. They are also known as nematodes. They get their name from the structure of the body, because if you cross-section an individual, you can see the resulting roundness. Despite the fact that there are more than 20, 000 of their species in the world, only a few of them are commonly found in humans.
The most common roundworms include:
- Ascaris. These worms are quite large. They can reach half a meter in length. The width varies between 4 and 5 cm. The color is usually pink, but in different cases it can be whiter or redder. These helminths are localized mainly in the small intestine, but in rare cases they can also be found in the bile ducts. The larvae at the same time quite easily move through the body, through the bloodstream. Their final stop is the lungs. It is here that the most comfortable conditions for their maturation are located, since this type of parasite belongs to anaerobes. When they become more viable, they move to the intestines. Roundworms have a long lifespan, which can be 12-14 months. Outside the human body, these worms live in soil conditions, where they lay several thousand eggs per day;
- Pinworms. Most often found in children, since the cause of infection may be improperly washed hands or products. Slightly less often they enter the body together with dust particles. Their size is much smaller than that of roundworms. Males reach 3 mm in length, and females - up to 13-14 mm. The color is completely white. Their favorite habitat is the initial part of the large intestine. Eggs are laid in the anus, closer to the anus. Their life expectancy is also much shorter than that of roundworms and is only a few months.
- Trichinella. These modest-sized worms, which reach only 4 mm in length, most often enter the living human body with infected meat. The larvae live in the muscle tissues, mainly in the oculomotor and masticatory tissues, but the adults prefer to be localized in the intestines. Trichinella is a danger to humans because without proper treatment it can be fatal.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are characterized by a flat body structure and a complete absence of a gastrointestinal tract. The length of individuals can reach several meters, due to which they resemble a long ribbon. They prefer to live in the intestines or gastric ducts. Among them are the following types:
- Bull tapeworm. It is one of the largest varieties of tapeworms. The length of one individual can reach 15-20 meters. The worm adheres to the surface of the small intestine and begins to absorb substances necessary for a person. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, he can live up to 10 years. Infection usually occurs by eating contaminated, undercooked meat;
- Dwarf tapeworm. It gets its name from its small size, which averages 4-5 mm. You can become infected with such a tapeworm through improperly washed vegetables and even dirty hands.
- Wide ribbon. Another great view. Its length can reach 10 meters, its width is usually greater than that of other worms. The larvae enter the body with infected fish and become adults in just 3. 5 weeks. Lives mainly in the small intestine. Life expectancy can reach tens of years;
- Echinococcus. Small worms, the length of which usually does not exceed 5 mm. Infection occurs from infected animals: cats and dogs. This species differs in that individuals are localized not in the intestines, but in the lungs or liver. They are dangerous because they can cause cysts to form, which then require surgical removal.
These worms can be very harmful to the body, so the earlier they are detected, the better.
strokes of luck
Flukes, like tapeworms, are flat parasites due to their body structure. They are also called liver worms because their main habitat is the liver and bile ducts. Their main types are:
- Paw. Also known as the cat's fluke. It mainly lives in rivers and lakes, which means that it enters the human body together with infected fish that have undergone improper processing. Pets can act as a carrier. Individuals are quite small, rarely reaching 12-13 mm. Inside a person, they can live in any organ;
- Chinese or oriental stroke of luck. It is characterized by a transparent red tint of the body and a small size, not more than 2. 5 cm. It penetrates the human body, identical to the common fluke. It can lay more than 3. 5 thousand eggs per day;
- Fasciole. It is a larger flatworm, its length can be 5-7 cm, it is viable only in soft water conditions. He dies in the salt springs. A person can become infected with fasciola by drinking contaminated raw water, for example by bathing, and also by eating plants. The risk is particularly great in the case of aquatic or wild species.
Liver flukes, although small in size, can be dangerous to humans. The patient, in addition to the standard symptoms, may develop a fever.
The simplest organisms
The simplest organisms have existed on earth for millions of years. To date, science reads more than 14. 5 thousand species. Like other parasites, their favorite habitat is soil, water in reservoirs and, of course, the human body. They can remain on the surface of vegetables and fruits for some time, the use of which often causes infection.
In the vast majority of cases, when it comes to infecting a person with protozoa, it is Giardia. Their vitality is to be envied. They withstand even the most adverse environmental conditions.
In their structure, they are distinguished by the presence of four pairs of flagella and a special disc that performs a suction function. Thanks to them, Giardia reliably clings to the inner surface of the intestine and begins to parasitize.
Manifestation Symptoms
The fact that worms appeared in the human body can be understood by a large number of signs. But most of them are general in nature, indicating the presence of an inflammatory process. This can confuse the patient, forcing him to look for the cause in other diseases.
Thus, the patient can see in himself during this period:
- Fatigue, malaise, tiredness;
- paleness of the skin;
- Dizziness and sometimes headaches;
- Increased anxiety, irritability. In children, marked aggression can be observed;
- Sleep deterioration. Usually preoccupied with insomnia;
- Pain in the joints, pulling sensations in the muscles;
- Increased salivation.
Fatigue is one of the signs of the presence of worms.
The following signs, reminiscent of an allergic reaction or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, can mislead the patient:
- yellowing of the skin;
- Rash on the body;
- Attacks of bronchial asthma;
- Stool disorders: constipation or diarrhea;
- Flatulence;
- Feeling of nausea, as well as vomiting;
- Pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium;
- Slightly elevated body temperature.
But the most typical symptoms of this situation, because of which people most often begin to suspect that they have parasites, are:
- Weight loss for no apparent reason. At the same time, it becomes very difficult to return the kilograms gone;
- Itching in the anus;
- Bruxism. This phenomenon results in teeth grinding during sleep.
Despite the fact that there are many signs of the presence of parasites in the body, sometimes this phenomenon is completely asymptomatic, and therefore people may not be aware of it for months.
Diagnostic
Identifying helminths in the body is not at all easy. The standard procedure in this case is the examination of feces for egg worm. I must say that sometimes to detect worms in the stool, it may be necessary to do an analysis 3-5 times.
How to identify certain types of worms, only a doctor knows. It is impossible to do this on your own without test results. Depending on the symptoms present, the doctor may prescribe the following examination procedures:
- Blood test. In this case, the number of indicators such as proteins and eosinophils are analyzed;
- Anal scraping analysis;
- Vaginal scraping analysis.
Also, in some cases, additional measures may be necessary. Such as:
- Sputum examination;
- The study of the composition of urine and bile;
- endoscopy;
- computed tomography;
- Ultrasound procedure.
Once the parasites are identified, the doctor draws up a treatment plan.
Treatment
Self-treatment of pests is not allowed. This is due to the following factors:
- The preparations contain a different active substance, which means that they have a detrimental effect on different types of helminths;
- Some drugs can only destroy worm larvae, but not adults.
- All drugs have side effects.
In this regard, it is necessary to select drugs based on the results of diagnostic procedures.
Preparations may contain the following active ingredients:
- mebendazole. It only affects worms of the pinworm genus;
- Diethylcarbamazine. Drugs based on it are prescribed if there are heartworms in the patient's body;
- Levamisole. Has a broad spectrum of action. Destroys pinworms and roundworms, as well as other worms;
- Bephenia hydroxysinaphthoate. Effectively fights roundworms;
- Albendazole. Necessary in the treatment of diseases caused by echinococcus;
- Piperazine adipate. It is used to remove roundworms and pinworms from the body.
Traditional medicine has also not remained on the sidelines in this matter. He offers various methods that do not always allow to completely cleanse the body of parasites, but, at a minimum, are able to slow down their reproduction and development.
Examples of such methods are:
- Pumpkin seeds. They are taken in their pure form or a decoction is made on their basis;
- Watermelon seeds. Apply in the same way on the pumpkin;
- Wormwood tincture;
- Alcohol tincture and absinthe juice;
- Garlic;
- Tansy;
- Immortal sand.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that before using folk methods, you need to get your doctor's approval and, of course, exclude an allergic reaction to the components used.
What are dangerous worms for humans
Worms not only live in the human body, they literally parasitize, carrying away useful substances, and also sucking blood. The body experiences a state of intoxication. The result of a long stay of helminths inside a person can lead to such negative consequences as:
- Weakening of the immune system;
- Violation of the gastrointestinal tract. Poor digestibility of food, the appearance of ulcers;
- The development of allergies;
- formation of cysts;
- Damage to the organs in which they live.
And remember that some types of parasites are very, very dangerous. Ignoring their presence can lead to the worst outcome.
Prevention
The vast majority of people at least once in their life have come across worms. Children are particularly affected by this. And this is quite justified, besides the fact that they have weaker immunity compared to adults, they also often ignore the rules of hygiene.
In general, the methods that help reduce the risk of infection are not complicated at all. They mean by themselves:
- Observance of personal hygiene rules. Hands should not only be rinsed, but thoroughly washed with soap;
- Vegetables, fruits, berries should be washed with plenty of water;
- Any meat: cattle, poultry or fish, must be washed very well before cooking. The heat treatment must also be meticulous. It is not worth taking risks and cooking meat with blood if there is no confidence in its quality and safety;
- Periodic anthelminthic prophylaxis in children. It is best to do this by consulting a doctor;
- In addition, livestock and pets are subject to drug prophylaxis. At the same time, there is no difference whether they live in the courtyard of a private house or in the room itself. If a dog or cat eats raw meat, the prevention of worms should be carried out without fail.
Such procedures will help not to encounter pests for as long as possible.