Unfortunately, no one is immune from worm infection - both adults and children are sensitive. A person lives and does not suspect that about 250 varieties of parasites live in his body - these can be both microscopic and up to one meter long worms. In order not to become a carrier of parasites, let's find out what the types of helminths are, what are the first signs and symptoms of worm infection, how to treat them and how to get them out, and also talk about the consequences and the necessary prevention.
What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites are there?
Helminthiasis is the collective name of the disease, caused by various types of parasitic worms. It happened that in everyday life we are used to calling all parasites worms, without thinking about how many species there are. There are 3 main groups of parasites:
- nematodes;
- tapeworms;
- parasitic flukes (flukes).
Nematodes are a type of nematode. These include pinworms, roundworms, and trichinella. Each of these parasites is dangerous because it causes various lung diseases in adults and children. But the pinworm parasite is especially dangerous from this group: it does not have a permanent habitat, but wanders the human body, affecting various organs. Pinworms have the appearance of white worms, infection of which in most cases occurs from contact with cats and dogs. With untimely treatment, it can stop in the brain, so the consequences will be the most unpleasant.
Flatworms include echinococci, various types of tapeworms. Tapeworms may not show themselves for a long time and eventually reach 10 meters in length. The first sign of worm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they affect the intestines, the nervous system, the eyes and the liver. The most common way to get infected with tapeworms is to eat raw fish, especially sushi lovers should be careful. It looks like a six-meter tapeworm, which was removed by a person.
The flukes or flukes carry many infections, but the most common is schistosomiasis, a disease native to the tropics, second only to malaria in the world (according to the WHO). The most disappointing thing is that these parasites are resistant to anthelmintic drugs. Therefore, the sooner you pay attention to the symptoms, consult a doctor and get tested, the better. A little further on we will tell you what kind of research is needed and from whom to get qualified help.
Very often people do not attach particular importance to worms and let the problem take its course. But you can not do this - any group of parasites is very dangerous and can cause irreparable harm to the body. In addition to the development of chronic diseases, cases of paralysis and blindness in people infected with worms have also been recorded. Therefore, the treatment for worms should be done on time and not put off such a serious problem until later.
Causes of helminthiasis
Helminthiasis occurs when worm eggs enter the human body. And the most common reasons for this:
- ignore the rules of hygiene;
- the presence of pets or contact with farm animals (especially cows and pigs);
- the use of unwashed fruits and vegetables;
- the habit of biting nails, pens, pencils;
- the use of meat and fish products that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment;
- drinking insufficiently purified water;
- contact with a person infected with worms;
- insect bites.
Most often, children who attend a kindergarten or school, plumbers, specialists in cleaning sewers and sewer pipes, and agricultural workers are at risk of infection with worms.
Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis
Most, at first glance, "harmless" symptoms of internal organ damage by worms are a rash or hives. But there are much more serious signs:
- indigestion;
- constant lethargy and a feeling of fatigue;
- allergies in various manifestations;
- swelling;
- persistent headache;
- prolonged cough;
- nausea and vomiting not associated with poisoning;
- high temperature;
- sharp pain in the abdomen;
- anemia;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- reduced or, conversely, increased appetite, especially for sweets (parasites suck glucose from the body);
- weight loss, even with a good appetite;
- inflammation or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- grinding your teeth in your sleep;
- irritability and aggression for no reason;
- the presence of white worms in the stool;
- constant itching in the anus.
If at least 5 points appear from the above, do not postpone a visit to the doctor and do not self-medicate. First of all, sign up for a consultation with a therapist who will explain the next steps and refer you to a narrow specialist. A gastroenterologist is also competent in this matter, in which tests for some helminths are also included in the basic examination.
In the absence of timely treatment, complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, blockage of the bile ducts, intestinal obstruction, ulcers are possible.
What tests should be done if helminthiasis is suspected?
First of all, it is necessary to pass a stool test for helminth eggs and an enzyme immunoassay. An X-ray of the intestine with contrast is done according to the doctor's prescription. For each parasite, a separate blood test must be performed. And with the search for nematodes, only fecal analysis will help. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide a number of services for passing the necessary tests, for which it is necessary to properly prepare.
What are the treatments for worms?
Medical treatment
What if the test results were disappointing? How to remove parasites? Modern medicine proves that many diseases arise due to the presence of worms in a person, so the war against parasites requires special tactics. The connection of oncology with the long-term presence of parasites in the body has also been shown. It is often difficult to recognize a worm infection, and doctors, based on a person's general malaise, confuse helminthiasis with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only after a correct diagnosis and passing the necessary tests, it is possible to diagnose the disease and start treating it.
Treatment of parasites includes complex therapy. As a result, not only do worms die, but the consequences of their vital activity are also eliminated.
Together with antihelminth tablets, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes are prescribed in the treatment of worms, which normalize digestion. Also, the use of antihistamines is not excluded. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are prescribed if anemia is present or at risk.
Proper nutrition
Effective treatment also lies in the diet. For the duration of treatment, exclude carbohydrates from the diet: cereals, pasta, potatoes - they make it difficult for the intestine to function. Especially under the ban during processing is fish that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment - white worms can be present in herring, sushi, pickled fish. It is recommended to use fermented milk products, ripe melon juice, garlic. Don't overlook pumpkin seeds - this is also a great prevention for both adults and children.
Based on the test results and the patient's condition, the duration of treatment is determined by the parasitologist and infectious disease specialist.
It is important to remember that when at least one family member is infected with worms, the whole family carries out prevention. And if you have pets, they too. Carry out heat treatment of underwear and bed, bathroom with disinfectants. Crockery and other household items must also be processed. After the implementation of preventive measures in 2-3 weeks, the whole family should be tested for the presence of a worm egg.
The fight against helminths folk remedies
A phytotherapeutic agent is recommended in cases where the patient has drug intolerance. Herbal treatment is a long process that requires regular and daily adherence to the regimen.
There is a universal collection that has a wide range of effects on parasites. Its recipe is very simple. For this you need to take herbs:
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile tea;
- 1 tablespoon mistletoe leaves;
- 1 tablespoon of eucalyptus;
- 1 tablespoon of thyme;
- 1 tablespoon of polygon;
- 1 teaspoon wild marin
- 2 tbsp calamus root;
- 2 tablespoons of dandelion flowers;
- 2 tbsp. Centaurea.
We mix all the components in a dry form, pour 2. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Then we filter and take a glass of infusion in the morning and in the evening for 2 weeks. In severe cases, the course is extended to one month.
The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that it destroys most types of parasites, without harming the body. It can also be taken as a preventative measure. It is not recommended to take this collection during pregnancy, as some herbs have abortive properties.
Treatment during pregnancy
What to do if helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, in this position, you cannot take powerful drugs, and anthelmintic drugs are just that. There are two opinions about it:
- Some doctors recommend starting treatment after childbirth, when there is no harmful effect of drugs on the fetus.
- Others insist on starting treatment for worms as soon as possible, as parasites tend to penetrate the placenta and infect the baby's lungs, causing respiratory disease. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy, miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, a pregnant woman should definitely consult a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
What to do if parasites are found in a child?
The responsibility for the treatment of children lies primarily with the parents. Not from the first test, you can detect worms in a child. There is the concept of an incubation period, and sometimes the parasite begins to manifest itself no earlier than 21-35 days after entering the body. Therefore, children are often prescribed to perform a stool examination up to 3 times.
Also, parents should understand that anthelmintic drugs are not just a vitamin pill, but serious anti-parasite drugs that should only be taken under the supervision and prescription of a doctor.
Worm prevention: effective methods
Compliance with the rules of prevention will save you and your family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis, especially since they are very simple:
- Make sure you wash your hands after walking, before eating, and after visiting public places.
- If you have a pet that you love very much, take good care of it, especially if there is a small child in the house who is in close contact with the pet. After all, it is the animals that in 60% of cases are the distributors of worms, carrying parasites from the street in the wool and on the paws.
- Pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Get rid of the habit of biting your nails and other foreign objects.
- The meat and fish you eat lead to 100% readiness.
- Only drink purified water from reputable sources.
- Avoid contact with an infected person until they have fully recovered, as even kisses can transmit helminths.
- Avoid places with a large concentration of insects, especially mosquitoes - they are dangerous vectors of various types of parasites.
- Regularly deworm pets twice a year. In the off-season, in spring and autumn, immunity is weakened, which is a beneficial environment for the development of parasites. Farm animals are given anthelmintic drugs in the first 10 days of life and then in case of infection.
By applying these simple prevention methods, you will protect yourself and your family from helminthiasis. The more time you spend on prevention, the less on treatment. Be healthy!