Unfortunately, no one is immune to worm infection - adults and children alike are susceptible. A person lives and does not suspect that about 250 varieties of parasites live in his body - they can be microscopic worms and up to a meter in length. In order not to become a carrier of parasites, let's find out what types of helminths are, what are the first signs and symptoms of worm infection, how to treat them and how to eliminate them, as well as talk about the consequences and prevention needs.
What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites are there?
Helminthiasis is the collective name for the disease, which is caused by various types of parasitic worms. It turns out 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 worms (trematodes).
Nematodes are a type of roundworm. 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 in this group - it has no permanent habitat, but roams the human body, affecting various organs. Pinworms look like white worms, the infection of which occurs in most cases through contact with dogs and cats. With premature treatment, it can stop in the brain, so the consequences will be the most unpleasant.
Flatworms include echinococci, several types of tapeworms. Tapeworms may not show themselves for long and eventually reach up to 10 meters in length. The first sign of a worm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they affect the intestines, nervous system, eyes and liver. The most common way to get infected with tapeworms is by eating raw fish, especially sushi lovers should be careful. It looks like a twenty-foot tapeworm that was removed from a person.
Parasites or trematodes are carriers of 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). Most disappointing is that these parasites are resistant to anthelmintic drugs. So the sooner you pay attention to symptoms, see a doctor, and get tested, the better. A little further on, we'll tell you what kind of research is needed and who to get qualified help from.
Often people don't give special importance to worms and let the problem run its course. But you cannot do this - any group of parasites is very dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to the body. In addition to the development of chronic diseases, even cases of paralysis and blindness have been reported in people infected with worms. Therefore, treatment for worms should be carried out 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:
- ignoring hygiene rules;
- the presence of pets or contact with farm animals (especially cows and pigs);
- the use of unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- 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 of the time, children who attend a kindergarten or school, plumbers, specialists in cleaning sewer and sewer pipes, and agricultural workers are at risk of worm infection.
Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis
Most, at first glance, "harmless" symptoms of damage to internal organs by worms are a skin rash or hives. But there are much more serious signs:
- indigestion;
- constant lethargy and feeling tired;
- allergies in various manifestations;
- swelling;
- persistent headache;
- prolonged cough;
- nausea and vomiting not associated with poisoning;
- elevated 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 good appetite;
- inflammation or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- grinding your teeth during 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 above, do not delay a visit to the doctor and do not self-medicate. First of all, sign up for a consultation with a therapist who will tell you the next steps and refer you to a specialist specialist. A gastroenterologist is also competent in this matter, where even examinations for some helminths are 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, it is necessary to pass a stool test for helminth eggs and an enzyme immunoassay. An X-ray of the bowel with contrast is done as prescribed by the doctor. For each parasite, you need to do a separate blood test. And with the search for roundworms, only fecal analysis will help. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide various services to pass the necessary tests, for which you need to prepare properly.
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 prolonged presence of parasites in the body has also been proven. It is often difficult to recognize a worm infection, and doctors, relying 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.
The treatment of parasites includes complex therapy. As a result, not only do the worms die, but the consequences of their vital activity are also eliminated.
Along with anthelmintic tablets, in the treatment of worms, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes are prescribed, which normalize digestion. In addition, 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 is also in the diet. During treatment, exclude carbohydrates from the diet: cereals, pasta, potatoes - they make it difficult for the intestine to function. Especially under the ban during treatment 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 dairy products, ripe melon juice, garlic. Don't neglect pumpkin seeds - this is also an excellent prevention for adults and children alike.
According to the test results and the patient's condition, the duration of treatment is determined by the parasitologist and the infectologist.
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, so do they. Carry out heat treatment of underwear and bedding, bathroom with disinfectants. Dishes and other household items should also be processed. After implementing preventive measures in 2-3 weeks, the whole family should be tested for the presence of a worm egg.
The fight against folk remedies for helminths
A herbal agent is recommended in cases where the patient has drug intolerance. Herbal treatment is a long process that requires regular, daily adherence to the regimen.
There is a universal collection that has a wide range of effects on parasites. His recipe is very simple. For this you need to take herbs:
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers;
- 1 Tablespoon of Mistletoe Soup Leaves;
- 1 tablespoon of eucalyptus;
- 1 tablespoon of thyme;
- 1 tablespoon of fennel;
- 1 Tablespoon wild rosemary;
- 2 tablespoons of calamus;
- 2 tablespoons of dandelion flowers;
- 2 tablespoons centaur.
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 drink 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 preventive measure. It is not recommended to make this collection during pregnancy, as some herbs have abortifacient properties.
Treatment during pregnancy
What to do if helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, in this position you cannot take potent drugs, and anthelmintic drugs are just that. There are two opinions on this:
- Some doctors recommend starting treatment after delivery, when there is no harmful effect of the drugs on the fetus.
- Others insist on starting treatment for worms as soon as possible, as the parasites tend to penetrate the placenta and infect the child's lungs, causing respiratory illness. 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 time, 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 a stool test up to 3 times.
Also, parents should understand that anthelmintic drugs are not just a vitamin pill, but serious antiparasitic 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:
- Be sure to wash your hands after walking, before eating and after visiting public places.
- If you have a pet that you love very much, take care of it, especially if there is a small child at home who is in close contact with the animal. After all, it is animals that in 60% of cases are the distributors of worms, bringing parasites from the street in wool and on their paws.
- Pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Get rid of the habit of biting nails and other foreign objects.
- Meat and fish you eat, bring 100% readiness.
- Drink only purified water from reputable sources.
- Avoid contact with an infected person until they have fully recovered, as kissing can also transmit helminths.
- Avoid places with a high concentration of insects, especially mosquitoes - they are dangerous carriers of various types of parasites.
- Perform regular deworming of pets twice a year. In the off-season, spring and autumn, immunity is weakened, which is a beneficial environment for the development of parasites. Farm animals are given anthelmintic drugs for the first 10 days of life and then in cases 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!