Unfortunately, no one is free from infection by worms - both adults and children are susceptible. One person lives and does not suspect that there are about 250 species of parasites in their bodies - these can be microscopic worms and can be up to a meter long. In order not to become carriers of parasites, let’s look at what types of worms are there, what are the first signs and symptoms of worm infection, how to treat them and how to apply them, and talk about the consequences and necessity. prevention.
What is helminthiasis and what types of parasites exist?
Helminthiasis is a collective name for a disease caused by various parasitic worms. It so happened that in everyday life we are used to calling every parasite a worm without thinking about how many species there are. There are 3 main groups of parasites:
- nematodes;
- tapeworms;
- parasitic rashes (trematodes).
Nematodes are a type of spindleworm. These include dumplings, tapeworms and trichinella. Each of these parasites is dangerous because it causes different lung diseases in adults and children. But the pinworm parasite is particularly dangerous from this group - it has no permanent habitat but migrates through the human body, touching various organs. Pinworms are the appearance of white worms, the infection of which comes in most cases from contact with cats and dogs. Premature treatment can cause the brain to stop, the consequences will be the most unpleasant.
Flatworms include echinococci, various types of tapeworms. Tapeworms may not show up for a long time and eventually reach a length of 10 meters. The first sign of worm infection is rapid weight loss. They are dangerous because they affect the intestines, nervous system, eyes and liver. The most common way to infect tapeworms is to eat raw fish, especially sushi lovers. It looks like a six-meter-old tapeworm that has been removed from a human.
Metastatic parasites or trematodes are carriers of many infections, but the most common is schistosomiasis, a disease native to the tropics that is second in the world to malaria (according to the WHO). The most disappointing thing is that such parasites are resistant to anthelmintic drugs. Therefore, the sooner you watch for symptoms, consult a doctor and have an examination, the better. We’ll tell you a little bit more about what research is needed and who you can ask for professional help from.
Very often, people do not attach much importance to worms and let the problem take over. But you can’t do that - any group of parasites can be very dangerous and cause irreparable damage to your body. In addition to the development of chronic diseases, paralysis and blindness have also been reported in people infected with worms. Therefore, the treatment of worms should be done in a timely manner and such a serious problem should not be postponed.
Causes of helminthiasis
Helminthiasis occurs when the eggs of worms enter the human body. And the most common reasons for this are:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- presence of pets or contact with farm animals (especially cows and pigs);
- use of unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- the habit of biting nails, pens, pencils;
- use of improperly heat-treated meat and fish products;
- drinking insufficiently purified water;
- contact with a person infected with worms;
- insect bites.
Most commonly, children attending kindergarten or school, plumbers, sewer and sewer cleaners, and farm workers are at risk of being infected with worms.
Signs and symptoms of helminthiasis
At first glance, the "harmless" symptoms of damage to the internal organs by worms are rashes or hives. But there are more serious signs:
- indigestion;
- feeling of constant lethargy and fatigue;
- allergy in various manifestations;
- swelling;
- persistent headache;
- prolonged cough;
- non-poisoning nausea and vomiting;
- elevated temperature;
- acute abdominal pain;
- anemia;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- decreased or, conversely, increased appetite, especially for sweets (parasites suck glucose out of the body);
- weight loss, even with a good appetite;
- inflammation or enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- gnashing of teeth during sleep;
- unreasonable irritability and aggression;
- the presence of white worms in the stool;
- constant itching in the anus.
If at least 5 of the above appear, do not delay your visit or 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 tight specialist. A gastroenterologist is also competent in this matter, which even includes tests on certain helminths in the baseline test.
In the absence of timely treatment, complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, obstruction of the bile ducts, intestinal obstruction, and ulcers are possible.
What tests should be performed if helminthiasis is suspected?
First of all, a stool test should be performed to detect helminth eggs and an enzyme immunoassay. X-rays of the intestine are taken with contrast material as prescribed by your doctor. A separate blood test should be performed for each parasite. And only fecal analysis can help you find roundworms. Modern clinics and diagnostic centers provide a number of services to perform the necessary tests that need to be properly prepared for.
What are worms to treat?
Medical treatment
What if the test results are disappointing? How to remove parasites? Modern medicine proves that a lot of diseases are caused by the presence of worms in humans, so the war on parasites requires special tactics. The association of oncology with the long-term presence of parasites in the body has also been demonstrated. Infection caused by worms is often difficult to detect, and doctors confuse helminthiasis with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract based on a person’s general malaise. Only after the correct diagnosis and the necessary tests have been performed is it possible to diagnose the disease and start treatment.
Treatment of parasites involves complex therapy. As a result, not only do the worms die, but the consequences of their life activities also disappear.
Along with anthelmintic tablets, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes that normalize digestion are prescribed to treat worms. The use of antihistamines is not ruled out either. Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are prescribed if anemia is present or at risk.
Proper nutrition
Effective treatment also lies in the diet. Exclude carbohydrates from the diet during the course of treatment: cereals, pasta, potatoes - these make it harder for the intestines to function. In particular, fish that have not undergone adequate heat treatment are covered by the ban during treatment - white worms may be present in herring, sushi, pickled fish. The use of fermented dairy products, ripe melons and garlic is recommended. Don’t neglect pumpkin seeds - it’s also a great prevention for adults and kids alike.
Based on the results of the tests and the patient's condition, the duration of treatment is determined by the parasitologist and the infectious disease specialist.
It is important to note that if at least one member of the family is infected with worms, prevention is done by the whole family. And if you have a pet, they have it too. Heat treatment of underwear and bedding with bathroom disinfectant. Dishes and other household items must also be processed. Within 2-3 weeks after the implementation of preventive measures, the whole family should be examined for the presence of worm eggs.
The fight against helminths is a folk remedy
A phytotherapeutic agent is recommended in cases where the patient is intolerant to the drug. Herbal treatment is a long process that requires regular and daily adherence.
There is a universal collection that has a wide variety of effects on parasites. The recipe is very simple. To do this, you need to take herbs:
- 2 tablespoons chamomile flowers;
- 1 tablespoon mistletoe leaves;
- 1 tablespoon eucalyptus;
- 1 tablespoon thyme;
- 1 tablespoon allspice;
- 1 tablespoon rosemary;
- 2 tablespoons root;
- 2 tablespoons dandelion flowers;
- 2 tablespoons century.
Mix all components in dry form, pour in 2. 5 liters of boiling water and allow to stand for 30 minutes. It is then filtered and a glass infusion is taken in the morning and 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 kills most types of parasites while not harming the body. It can also be used as a preventive measure. It is not recommended to take this collection during pregnancy as some herbs have abortion-causing properties.
Treatment during pregnancy
What to do if helminthiasis is detected during pregnancy? After all, you cannot take strong medications in this situation, and anthelmintic medications are just that. There are two opinions on this:
- Some doctors recommend that you start treatment after giving birth when the medication has no harmful effects on the fetus.
- Others insist on starting treatment for the worms as soon as possible, as the parasites tend to penetrate the placenta and infect the child’s lungs, causing respiratory illnesses. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy, have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely. Therefore, a pregnant woman should definitely see a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
What to do if parasites are found in a child?
Parents are primarily responsible for the treatment of children. You may not detect the worms in a child during the first test. The concept of an incubation period exists and sometimes the parasite begins to appear at the earliest 21-35 days after entering the body. Therefore, children are often prescribed a stool test up to 3 times.
Parents should also understand that anthelmintic drugs are not just a vitamin tablet, but are serious antiparasitic drugs that should only be taken under medical supervision and prescription.
Worm prevention - effective methods
Following the prevention rules will save you and your family from an unpleasant illness - helminthiasis, especially because they are very simple:
- Be sure to wash your hands after walking, before eating, and after visiting public places.
- If you have a pet you love very much, take care of it, especially if there is a small child in the house who is in close contact with the animal. After all, in 60% of cases, animals are vectors of worms that bring parasites from the street in their wool and paws.
- Pour hot water on fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Get rid of the habit of biting nails and other foreign objects.
- Set the meat and fish you eat to 100% ready.
- Drink only purified water from a reliable source.
- Avoid contact with an infected person until it is completely recovered, as kissing can also cause a worm infection.
- Avoid places with high insect concentrations, especially mosquitoes - these are dangerous carriers of various parasites.
- Perform regular deworming of your pets twice a year. In the off-season, in the spring and autumn, immunity weakens, which is a favorable environment for the development of parasites. Farm animals receive anthelmintic drugs for the first 10 days of their lives and then for infection.
You can protect yourself and your family from helminthiasis by using these simple prevention methods. The more time you spend on prevention, the less treatment you have. To be healthy!