The modern pace of life often does not allow us to pay attention to minor ailments: increased fatigue, dizziness, pain in the joints and intestines.Minor ailments are often associated 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 and cause a number 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 quickly as possible and carry out appropriate treatment to eliminate it.
What is a helminthic infestation?
Worms in humans, or the medical term "helminthic infestation", are a large group of diseases that develop after the penetration of parasites into the human body.According to medical indicators, it has been found that about 80% of the population is infected with worms, but not everyone knows this.Typically, human parasites can be found in the human intestines or internal organs and tissues.Worms are retained in the human body using special organs: suction cups, hooks and thorns.They feed on tissue juices or nutrients present in the blood.
During their life, worms produce toxic substances that are absorbed into the blood and lymph, then spread throughout the body, penetrating internal organs and systems, where they disrupt their functionality.Modern medicine knows more than a hundred species of helminths that parasitize the human body.Some of them do not cause much harm, while others are very 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 dysfunctions in the functioning of the entire organism.
At the initial stage, symptoms of worms are vague 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 slightest violations and takes measures to eliminate them.
Types of worms parasitizing 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, hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms.
Worms do not have the ability to reproduce in the human body.The lifespan of some parasites is several weeks (pinworms), but some individuals can live for years (roundworms, tapeworms) and reach large sizes.The lifespan of cavitary worms is most often increased due to reinfection.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 the soil: consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits, lack of personal hygiene when working the soil.
- Swim in the reservoirs.
- Domestic or street animals – cats, dogs – frequently carry 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 tissue worms.In addition to meat products, worms can also be found in dairy products, fish meat and canned foods.
- Failure to follow the rules of personal hygiene is the main cause of worms in children who, while playing or walking down the street, often put their dirty hands in their mouths and rub their eyes with them.
Infection by helminthic infestation can occur in another way.After diagnosing a parasitic disease, it is difficult, if not almost impossible, to identify the source of the infection.
The first signs of helminthic infestation
Once parasites enter the human body, they encounter barriers from the immune system, which recognizes them as foreign agents.If the immune system is strong, there is a good chance that helminths will not enter the body or will be quickly destroyed.In cases where a person's immunity is weak, he cannot resist parasites that enter the intestines without barriers, grow and turn into adults.After a while, when the parasites turn into adults, they begin to secrete large amounts of toxins that poison the human body.The waste from the worms enters the blood and spreads 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 disturbances;
- increased sensitivity to allergens;
- increased irritability.
Symptoms of worm infestation in an adult or child negatively affect the state of the immune system;There are also skin rashes caused by worms, 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 from other areas of medicine who, after the test results, do not see any significant abnormalities and give a referral or recommend tests for worms.
Symptoms of worms in humans
Symptoms of helminths in an adult or child directly depend on the type of parasite, its location and the intensity of the infection.For example, after infection with roundworms, symptoms will appear on days 2-4. The clinic is always cleared and is accompanied by general malaise of the body.In other cases, when a parasitic infection has occurred, the first signs may appear after 2-3 weeks, and if a person is infected with filariasis, the incubation period lasts up to 18 months.Let's consider the main symptoms of parasitic diseases, which are accompanied by the signs of helminthic infestation (listed above), provoked by a certain helminth:
- Pinworms or enterobiasis - cause itching in the anal canal, which intensifies at night and grinding teeth during sleep.
- Trichocephalosis, diphyllobothriasis, schistosomes lead to the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia, and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
- Roundworms - increased body temperature to 37.5 degrees, dry cough with sputum production.Laboratory tests show an increase in the number of eosinophils and allergic skin rashes appear.In case of severe infestation, bronchitis with attacks of suffocation 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 may be present in case of helminthic infestation, 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 full examination of the body with all tests for helminthic infestation.Only then can the parasite be identified and all treatment methods will be aimed at eliminating it and restoring the functioning of internal organs.
Worms are so dangerous
Worms in children - 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 may develop.Severe forms of parasitic diseases often lead to intestinal obstruction and nervous system disorders.Worms significantly reduce immunity, making the human body defenseless against other diseases of infectious or non-infectious origin.In more severe cases, the worms can cause brain damage and even death in humans.
Helminthic infestation test
Probably, each of us asks the question: am I suffering from helminthic infestation?We offer you a simple test, then count the number of positive responses to the following symptoms, the most characteristic of parasitic diseases:
- Do you feel itchy in your anus?
- Do you have breakouts?
- Do you often have headaches?
- Do you often feel nauseous?
- Do you often worry about bowel movements: bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea?
- Do you get restful and healthy 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 feel bitter in your mouth?
- Do you get tired easily?
- Do you feel a slight, unmotivated increase in body temperature?
- Does your skin have a yellowish tint?
- Do you snore or grind your teeth in your sleep?
- Have you lost weight thanks to your good appetite?
You must answer: yes or no.If you have 8 positive answers, then there is a risk of helminthic infestation.In cases where there are more than 12 positive responses, the likelihood of parasitic disease is high.In such cases, you should consult an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist as soon as possible, carry out a stool analysis for worm eggs and a general blood test.The test results will help confirm or refute helminthic infestation.
Treatment methods for helminthic infestation
Currently, there are many ways to treat worms in children or adults.The choice of treatment is up to the treating physician, the type of worm, the age of the patient and other factors.The process of removing worms is currently called deworming, which involves taking special medications that must be prescribed by a doctor in each specific case.Worms - symptoms and treatment depend on many factors that the attending physician must take into account.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, since all drugs for worms have a large number of contraindications and side effects.