Helminthiasis is the most common parasitic infection affecting people of all ages. Doctors cannot provide precise information about the number of cases because many do not contact a specialist when they have worrying symptoms, preferring to seek treatment themselves. This approach can lead to serious complications sinceEven broad-spectrum medications may be ineffective against certain types of helminth infestations, for example filariasis – infection with filamentous nematodes.
In total, more than 400 species of helminths are known that can parasitize the human body. Which of these caused the disease can only be determined exactly after a laboratory examination of the stool. If signs of helminthic infestation are detected, consultation with a doctor (general practitioner, proctologist or infectious disease specialist) is necessary. The difficulty of timely diagnosis in almost half of cases lies in the absence of typical symptoms of helminthiasis. Therefore, it is important to know what signs may be indirect manifestations of helminthiasis. It is recommended that adults undergo preventive stool examination as well as curettage for enterobiasis at least once a year.
How can you get infected?
Most patients believe that helminthic infestation is a "disease of dirty hands. " This statement is only half true. Some types of worms, for example cestodes and other flatworms, can actually live in soil and sand, allowing a person to survive withoutadequate hand hygiene can infect with helminthiasis, however, this route of transmission is typical especially for children younger age group (from 1 to 6 years). In adults, poor-quality food (expired dairy products, poorly processed meat, stale eggs) and tap water are the main source of infection.
How does a worm infection occur?
You can become infected with worms in open rivers and reservoirs. In rare cases, a person can become infected with leeches - representatives of the class of annelids that cause hirudinosis - while swimming. The pathology is quite serious, since blood and its components are the main food for leeches, which, against the background of systemic poisoning of the body, leads to damage to blood vessels, rapidly progressing anemia and blood poisoning. To avoid this, you should not swim in places that do not have "Swimming is allowed" signs. Soil/water samples are regularly taken in specially designated places in the summer and the risk of infection is much lower there.
Other sources of infection for humans can be:
- Street and domestic animals (the pet's tray can only be cleaned with gloves, and the animal itself should be bathed regularly and treated with anthelmintics twice a year);
- contaminated air;
- blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, ticks);
- Dust (including house dust that accumulates on soft toys and upholstered furniture).
Take note!Some types of worms can enter the human body through the skin. Therefore, physical contact with a person diagnosed with helminthiasis should be limited as much as possible.
Helminths spread quickly throughout the body.
Acute infection in adults: symptoms and signs
An independent diagnosis or suspicion of a helminth infestation at home is only possible during the acute and subacute course of the disease. Depending on the type of worms, their number and the state of the immune system, it can range from 1 week to 4 months. Pathological symptoms are most pronounced during this period, so the chances of timely treatment and reducing the risk of complications in the acute form are greatest.
The main symptoms of acute helminthiasis are disorders of intestinal function. The patient develops functional intestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea or prolonged lack of stools (constipation is four times less common compared to diarrheal syndrome). The consistency of the stool when infected with worms is thin, watery, sometimes with the addition of foam. The smell is stinking, pungent. The color can vary, but in most patients the stool will be lighter and pale yellow. If the worm infestation is severe, the feces may be brown or green. Sometimes they contain streaks of mucus and blood released as a result of damage by worms to the blood vessels and capillaries in the intestinal mucosa.
Among other signs from the gastrointestinal tract, the patient may experience abdominal pain, causeless, sudden vomiting and loss of appetite against the background of constant nausea. Many patients lose weight during this time: weight loss can be up to 10% within 2-4 months after the onset of the disease. The skin becomes pale and a polymorphic rash appears in the form of exudate-filled vesicles or nodules. The same rash can appear on the mucous membranes of the genitals, oral cavity and internal organs. Approximately 10-20% develop acne, boils and comedones during this time. A pinpoint red rash may appear on the skin of the abdomen and elbows.
Other signs of an acute infection in an adult include:
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (parasitic conjunctivitis);
- Swelling of the face, limbs and neck (may be accompanied by dropsy of internal organs);
- feverish condition;
- Fever and chills against the background of periodic increases in temperature to 38°C and more.
Important!Anal itching, which is considered the main symptom of helminthiasis, is primarily characteristic of enterobiasis - an infection with pinworms. It is caused by irritation of the skin in the anorectal area by the nocturnal secretion that female pinworms secrete. Such a clinical picture is not considered typical for other acute forms of helminth infestation.
Chronic infestation: What symptoms should you pay attention to?
The chronic form of helminthiasis is a very common pathology that develops in the acute phase without timely treatment. Most clinical symptoms subside and become less intense during this period, but do not disappear completely. A person may periodically experience mild pain in the abdominal area, nausea, and possibly vomiting immediately after eating or 1-2 hours after eating. Rashes usually persist. If the reaction is severe, the patient may experience discomfortAngioedema is a fatal disease associated with laryngeal spasms and bronchospasm.
One of the main symptoms of chronic helminthic infestation (as well as its complication) is anemia. It is manifested by unnatural pallor, asthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome) and weakness. A person's performance declines, they become lethargic and emotional instability can occur.
If the hepatobiliary system is affected
The hepatobiliary system, which includes the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts, is the primary target for parasitic infestation. Worms can feed on liver parenchyma cells, blood, bile components and bile acids. This form of pathology is manifested by severe pain localized under the right rib in the upper abdomen. The pain can be of a stabbing, cutting or dagger-like nature, which is why many people confuse it with an attack of biliary colic (this situation is especially typical for patients with chronic diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts).
Obstructive jaundice is another sign that requires immediate diagnosis. Yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eye can be a manifestation of dangerous liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or symptoms of damage to organ tissue by parasites.
Important!Hepatobiliary helminthiasis is one of the most serious pathologies. Without adequate and timely therapy, the patient may die from acute intoxication and necrosis of liver tissue.
Clinical indicators - signs of helminthic infestation
A doctor may suspect a parasitic infection if the results of three blood tests confirm that the patient has anemia - a low level of hemoglobin. For an adult, the hemoglobin norm is 120 to 140 g/l. In some cases, for example during pregnancy, this value may be slightly lower - up to 110 g/l. However, the amount of hemoglobin should not fall below these values. Anemia develops quickly in patients with helminthiasis, as almost 90% of parasites feed on human blood and damage small blood vessels.
Another constant clinical sign of long-term helminthiasis isEosinophilia – absolute or relative increase in the level of eosinophils in the blood. This is a type of granulocytic leukocyte mass, which is the main indicator of the body's allergy readiness. An infection with parasites is always accompanied by itchy skin and a polymorphic rash.
How do you protect yourself from a worm infection?
The basic rule that helps protect the body from worm invasion is strict adherence to hygiene - especially hand hygiene. For washing, it is better to use soap with antibacterial components or natural laundry soap with a fatty acid concentration of at least 72%. Laundry soap has a pronounced disinfectant and antimicrobial effect and is an excellent prevention of infectious diseases. If you cannot tolerate the smell of laundry soap, you can use a product with aromatic additives.
Food must be prepared in accordance with hygiene and heat treatment standards. It is recommended to rinse vegetables and fruits with boiling water or wash with soap and fry or cook meat at high temperature for at least 30-40 minutes. The minimum time for cooking eggs is 20 minutes. It is important to monitor the quality and freshness of products and carefully check the expiration date. If the product does not have the necessary information and labeling, it is better to refuse to purchase.
If there are pets in the house, it is necessary to conduct a deworming course 2 times a year, even if the pet does not go outside, since worm eggs can be brought into the apartment using outdoor shoes and clothing. The safest dewormer for cats and dogs is chicken flavored tablets.
What should you pay attention to with helminthiasis?
Treatment of helminthiasis should only be prescribed by a doctor, since all anthelmintics are highly toxic and negatively affect the condition of the liver. The table lists commonly prescribed drugs with a wide spectrum of action and their dosage, but their use is only possible after laboratory diagnostics and consultation with a specialist.
Signs, treatment and symptoms of worms in the intestines of an adult
There are about 250 species of worms that live in the body of an adult. They arise due to the penetration of parasitic worms into the human body and cause various diseases.
The presence of helminths in the intestines of people is disguised under the guise of other diseases.
A person can be treated for an illness for years without realizing that there are worms in their body. And only after helminthic treatment she will feel much better.
Classification of helminths
Parasites are divided into 3 groups:
- roundworms;
- flatworms;
- Leeches.
Helminth groups are also differentiated according to biological characteristics:
- Biohelminths- Tapeworms, pork and beef worms. As they develop into adulthood, they change hosts, starting with insects and eventually migrating to humans.
- Geohelminths— Roundworms, whipworms and many other parasites immediately invade the body of an adult and begin their development in the initial stages.
- Contact- pinworms, dwarf tapeworms. Entry is carried out by an infected person.
Where can helminths live?
Parasites primarily attack the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are species that can live in other organs:
- Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormslive in the large intestine.
- Thermodes- enter the liver and gallbladder.
- Pork tapewormlives in every organ of an adult.
Types of microorganisms that live in the body of an adult
Helminths such as roundworms, pinworms and tapeworms are predominantly found in the body of an adult. They actively absorb nutrients from the body of an adult, after which metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other types of diseases occur.
Helminths in humans:
- Roundworms:Infection occurs after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Wide band:When eating raw fish.
- Pinworms:upon contact with other people already infected with parasites and by using the same dishes and linen.
Helminths develop within a certain period of time, generally lasting 15 to 60 days. Then the chronic stage of the disease occurs.
After the transition to the chronic stage, a person's immunity decreases. Against the background of a weakening of the body, inflammation immediately begins.
Causes of Worms
Helminth worms cause severe poisoning of the body in humans. When worms appear in an adult, the symptoms depend on the type of parasite, the habitat and the number of parasites that multiply several times or even several thousand times a day.
How long does it take for the first signs to appear?
For roundworms, for example, two to three days are enough to notice a serious condition. Infection with other types of parasites most commonly occurs in adults; The first signs appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis can be expected after 6-18 months.
The danger is that in some cases the disease with worms progresses without any visible symptoms. Signs may appear after the parasite reaches enormous size.
- Pinworms— The main signs of the presence of these parasites in the body of an adult are itching, which intensifies at night. The frequency may last for a day or two and then not bother you for several weeks. And if the infection is severe, itching may occur frequently.
- Trichocephalosis— A sign of infection with this type of helminth is the development of anemia. You may experience nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and severe weight loss.
- Roundworms- a rash appears all over the body, but can also appear in different parts of the body, nausea, pain in the abdomen, weight loss. If this parasite is not recognized in time, the integrity of the intestine can be compromised. If the roundworm gets into the appendix, it can cause severe inflammation of this organ.
If the number of helminths has increased several times, a high temperature may occur. In rare cases, however, the parasite infection is asymptomatic. But basically, a helminth infection proceeds with signs that are not difficult to recognize.
At the initial stage of the appearance of worms, it is necessary to begin proper comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not develop into a chronic one.
How parasites enter the human body. infection
There are four ways a parasite infection can occur.
- With eggworms through soil and water. Through communication with animals and when consuming food and products on which a fly with worm eggs has landed. Every time you touch the soil, you should wash your hands thoroughly. Vegetables and fruits collected on the site should be washed with water using a special scraper or sponge. You should not drink water from springs as parasite eggs usually live in the water. When swimming in ponds, rivers or other bodies of water, you should not swallow water.
- From a person suffering from parasites such as pinworms. Reproduction occurs at night. A female individual crawls out of the intestines and lays one or more eggs on the folds of the anal canal, after which itching naturally occurs, the person scratches, and worm eggs remain on underwear, hands and surrounding objects. If you don't wash your hands properly, infection will occur by putting pinworm eggs in your mouth. This is the most common method of infection by parasites.
- When eating uncooked and raw meat and raw fish.
- Through mosquito bites, flies, etc.
When helminths invade the body, two stages of development can occur: acute and chronic.
The acute stage begins with the penetration of the helminths into the human body and can last from two weeks to two months.
The second phase begins after a person fails to get rid of the worms and lasts throughout life. When worms invade the body, poor nutrient absorption occurs.
Where can helminths live?
Parasites primarily attack the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are species that can live in other organs:
- Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormslive in the large intestine.
- Thermodes- enter the liver and gallbladder.
- Pork tapewormlives in every organ of an adult.
Types of microorganisms that live in the body of an adult
Helminths such as roundworms, pinworms and tapeworms are predominantly found in the body of an adult. They actively absorb nutrients from the body of an adult, after which metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other types of diseases occur.
Helminths in humans:
- Roundworms:Infection occurs after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Wide band:When eating raw fish.
- Pinworms:upon contact with other people already infected with parasites and by using the same dishes and linen.
Helminths develop within a certain period of time, generally lasting 15 to 60 days. Then the chronic stage of the disease occurs.
After the transition to the chronic stage, a person's immunity decreases. Against the background of a weakening of the body, inflammation immediately begins.
Causes of Worms
Helminth worms cause severe poisoning of the body in humans. When worms appear in an adult, the symptoms depend on the type of parasite, the habitat and the number of parasites that multiply several times or even several thousand times a day.
How long does it take for the first signs to appear?
For roundworms, for example, two to three days are enough to notice a serious condition. Infection with other types of parasites most commonly occurs in adults; The first signs appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis can be expected after 6-18 months.
The danger is that in some cases the disease with worms progresses without any visible symptoms. Signs may appear after the parasite reaches enormous size.
- Pinworms— The main signs of the presence of these parasites in the body of an adult are itching, which intensifies at night. The frequency may last for a day or two and then not bother you for several weeks. And if the infection is severe, itching may occur frequently.
- Trichocephalosis— A sign of infection with this type of helminth is the development of anemia. You may experience nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and severe weight loss.
- Roundworms- a rash appears all over the body, but can also appear in different parts of the body, nausea, pain in the abdomen, weight loss. If this parasite is not recognized in time, the integrity of the intestine can be compromised. If the roundworm gets into the appendix, it can cause severe inflammation of this organ.
The first symptoms of worms in humans look like this:
- rash that causes constant itching;
- swelling, both all over the body and in places;
- coughing, choking;
- inflammation of the lymph node;
- weakness, fatigue;
- pain in the joints, lower abdomen;
- serious illness;
- Diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, intestinal pain;
- Damage to the central nervous system.
If the number of helminths has increased several times, a high temperature may occur. In rare cases, however, the parasite infection is asymptomatic. But basically, a helminth infection proceeds with signs that are not difficult to recognize.
At the initial stage of the appearance of worms, it is necessary to begin proper comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not develop into a chronic one.
Tests to detect parasites in adults
To diagnose the presence of worms in the body of an adult, a stool sample is collected for research purposes. Additional tests are carried out for some types of helminths:
- Swabs of the anal canal are collected to determine whether eggworms are present in an adult.
- in women, swabs are collected from the vagina, navel area and inguinal folds;
- carry out an immunological test;
- Urine and blood tests will be carried out.
If there are individual helminths in the body, the symptoms appear unnoticed by an adult. If there are many parasites in the body, the symptoms are quite complex. Especially with a certain type of worms, people suffer in the evening and at night.
To remove parasites from the human body, the doctor prescribes individual treatment.
Treatment of helminthic infestations
In the modern world there are many preventive measures and treatment methods that have their own specialization in the treatment of various types of parasites.
There are about 70 species of helminths in our country. Only after checking the tests will precise treatments and medications be prescribed as the medications are highly toxic. In addition, appropriate treatment is prescribed for all types of parasites.
The course of treatment can be repeated as there is a risk of reinfection.
ethnoscience
The treatment can also be carried out using traditional methods. Proven methods are considered effective. This includes eating pumpkin seeds and the tansy plant.
In the modern world, it is believed that pumpkin seeds are best eaten in the morning on an empty stomach. You need to eat 300 grams of seeds per hour. It is recommended to grind and add honey. Don't eat for four hours and cleanse your stomach with a laxative and an enema.
Repeat treatment is recommended after two weeks. Carrots or carrot juice are also believed to help against parasites. A decoction of wormwood herb will help eliminate the problem; it must be used orally or as an enema.
Prevention of worms. What is it for?
You must lead a healthy lifestyle, drink purified or boiled water, use personal hygiene items, as well as your own dishes, bedding and other personal items.
All pet vaccinations must be completed on time. Before consumption, you must thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits and heat meat and fish. For prevention, take anti-parasitic medications. You should not eat raw, dried or dried fish from freshwater bodies. To avoid infection with helminths, you just need to follow the prevention rules.