Worms - scientifically "helminths" - parasites in the human body. There are 200 known types of human parasites. They have their own structure, symptoms and method of penetration into the body. Parasites are divided into bio, geo, contact helminths.
Source classification:
- Biohelminths. They represent parasites that change "hosts". From insects and mollusks to bulls and humans. Representatives: tapeworms - beef, pork, echinococcus.
- Geohelminths. Combine the worms with a single "host". Roundworms, whipworms, necator - the most famous worms.
- Contact helminths. The difference between contact helminths lies in the ease of infection through the use of patient articles. Pinworms are a bright representative, a common type of helminth.
Common types of helminths in humans
Treatment of helminthiasis requires knowledge of the types of human worms. The color of the worms is from white to reddish, brown. There are transparent worms - difficult to diagnose.
Roundworms
Roundworms are a type of worm with a round cross-section, similar to earthworms. Representative:
- Roundworms are a parasitic worm that lives in the small intestine and reaches a length of 40 cm. The average lifespan of roundworms is 1 year. Worms go through a long path of development that begins with the intestines, the lungs, the development of an egg into a larva in the soil, and then returns to the intestine. Roundworms occur in humans and animals. A person is not infected with animal roundworms.
- Pinworms are the simplest of white parasites, 0. 3-1. 2 cm in size. They become infected with Ascaris eggs through shaking hands, underwear, inhalation of dust. The life of pinworms is short - a maximum of 2 months. Pinworms are common in children.
- Trichinella is a 0. 4 cm long parasite, the source of infestation is raw pork infested with larvae. Treating trichinosis is a difficult task. A person can only partially get rid of worms. The reason is the peculiarity of their life. Adults of Trichinella mate in the intestines and die. Eggs from the intestine get into the muscles, where they are located and can parasitize for years.
- Vlasoglava is a representative of the 3 cm long roundworms that inhabit the large intestine. Helminths stick to the intestinal wall, suck blood. The lifespan of a whipworm is 5 years.
Tapeworms
Tape parasites got their name because of the peculiarities of the structure of the body, which looks like a tape. The flatworm can grow up to 20 m.
- The beef tapeworm is a large worm 10 m long, the causes of infection are insufficient roasting of beef. If there is a tapeworm egg in the meat, it will become infected.
- The pork tapeworm is similar to the beef tapeworm, only 5 times shorter. The source of infection is pork.
- Wide tapeworm - an adult helminth reaches a length of 15 m. You can become infected with tapeworms from fish living in freshwater sources.
- Echinococcus is said to be the most dangerous. The ability to penetrate the liver causes echinococcal cysts. Carrier of adult dogs, cats. Length - 4 cm. The invasion occurs through dirty door handles, toilet seats.
Mammal
The group got its name because of the way it parasitizes on humans.
- The Siberian leech is 1 cm long on average and is triggered by the consumption of thermally unprocessed, undersalted fish. It parasitizes in the human gallbladder.
- Fasciola parasitizes in the gallbladder, has a length of up to 7 cm. The route of infection is raw water.
Methods of parasite infestation
People who do not pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness at home can develop helminthiasis. The blow includes "cleanliness", convulsive hand washing after the street, thorough roasting of the meat. Depending on the type of helminth, the infection takes place in different ways.
- Oral-fecal - helminth eggs enter through the mouth.
- Contact - the method is common when infected with pinworms. Helminths lay eggs on the anus, causing itching, brushes inseminate the hands. With unwashed hands, the infected person transfers eggs to objects, doorknobs, etc.
- Through water. Raw water is the habitat of the health-endangering helminth larvae (fasciola).
- Through soil - sand, the soil becomes infected with helminth eggs. It is worth monitoring the length of the nails, if you need to dig in the ground, wash your hands thoroughly. Eggs can be ingested through unwashed food.
You can get infected through insect bites - a rather rare case.
Symptoms of helminthiasis
The first symptoms appear when the helminthiasis peaks. Symptoms vary depending on the type of worm.
Significant weight loss, emaciated appearance, body aches, pale skin, and itching in the anus are clear signs of invasion.
Diseases of the gastric tract: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, diarrhea and flatulence, abdominal pain near the navel - a sign of the presence of helminths localized in the intestines.
The manifestation of rashes, brittle nails and hair is indirect, but an indicator of infection. In worms in the body of an adult, child, poisoning occurs with the waste of worms. The body habitually perceives human proteins as allergens, which leads to rashes. Diseases such as allergic rhinitis or urticaria and bronchial asthma are helminthic symptoms.
A persistent headache is a symptom of worms. In cases where it is impossible to diagnose the cause of the headache, pain medication will not help.
A decrease in immunity, an immune response, indicates a marked weakening of the body that occurs with helminthiasis. Stomatitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, vaginosis - make you think about helminth prevention. All kinds of diseases can affect the human body.
The presence of worms is indicated by diseases that are incurable for a long time. An organ infected by worms will not respond to treatment.
Diagnosis of the helminthic invasion
Diagnosis, treatment - this should be entrusted to professionals. An infectious disease doctor who diagnoses helminthiasis will be able to draw the correct conclusions. Infectiologists will be able to understand and determine the cause of the disease, localize it and prescribe treatment.
Parasites live in the intestines, in the organs, in the tissue. Diagnosing a separate area will not help restore the picture. Depending on the affected organ, tissue, the purpose of the treatment depends.
For a full diagnosis, it is worthwhile to fully examine the body: x-rays, examination of feces, urine, expectoration of the lungs, scraping from the anus, scraping of the navel, vagina (in girls), blood.
With X-rays, they see a possible movement of worms in the lungs - Ascaris. A high number of eosinophils in the blood indicates the presence of helminths. The stool analysis is checked for the presence of worm eggs. It is easy to prescribe treatment for worms. Sputum is removed to determine the presence of Ascaris larvae, etc.
If there is such an incident that helminths have appeared, then it is worth starting therapy immediately.
treatment
After a full diagnosis, in the presence of helminths, treatment is prescribed - drugs, folk medicine or complex. It is real to cure worms. They don't take long to heal, but it all depends on the severity of the invasion.
Pharmacy preparations
Medicines are a more effective solution to helminths. After helminthiasis treatment, the incidence of worms is reduced in people with the personal hygiene condition.
Chemotherapy drugs are used to remove parasites from the body. This is where they are best suited. They are involved in influencing the biostructure and the bioprocesses of the parasite. By interrupting the work and paralyzing the worms, the tablets cope with the task, and the worms are excreted from the body with the feces.
Dosage, time interval and medication are prescribed by the doctor. In this case, the worm disease will be eliminated.
Folk tunes
Nature is diverse - there are many ways to heal. The fight against worms has long roots. Traditional medicine is suitable for those who have contraindications, allergic reactions to drugs.
The main herbs, anthelmintic products: walnuts, pumpkin seeds, garlic, wormwood, tansy.
The wormwood plant helps when worms show up. Wormwood tincture is effective for tapeworms, roundworms. Pumpkin seeds, garlic are easily eaten without any additional processing. Tansy is infused like wormwood and then used. These agents can be used as an anthelmintic or a prophylactic agent.
After such treatment, the worms leave the body.
Helminth prevention
If there are no signs of infection, but the likelihood of occurrence is frightening, it is worth doing prevention. Medicines are the most successful. When it comes to self-help, you can go without pills.
To carry out prevention, you need to understand where the worms start and how they multiply. Personal hygiene is important, but food should not be forgotten. If you eat dried fish or sushi, a steak with blood threatens to become infected with tapeworms.
Personal hygiene, keeping the house, pets, families clean, only eating thermally processed foods, washed vegetables, berries, fruits - protect yourself from worm infestation.