Worm infestation belongs to a common group of diseases among humans and animals. It is caused by the penetration into the body of various worms, of which there are more than three hundred species today. The parasites are localized mainly in the intestines and liver, but some species are able to penetrate the lungs, heart, brain and other vital organs, which can lead to very serious consequences. It is important to detect the presence of helminths in the body as early as possible and to take measures to eliminate them to avoid health problems. After all, this disease can have many consequences, up to death. But it is quite difficult to determine the presence of helminth infestation in the body, as the symptoms are similar to other diseases and it is difficult to say exactly which infection attacks the body. It is important to know what to look for when contacting a parasitologist.
Types of helminths dangerous to humans
Worms that pose a danger to humans are divided into two groups:
- Cavity - pinworms, roundworms, whip, tapeworm and other parasites that live in the gut.
- Tissues - echinococcosis, paragonimiasis, cysticercosis and other types of parasites that can spread to all important internal organs and affect them.
The following types of helminthic infestations are most often diagnosed in the human body: enterobiosis, ascariasis, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis.
Methods of infestation with worms
There are many ways in which the larvae of parasites enter the body, among them the main ones can be distinguished:
- Contact - the larvae are transmitted from person to person.
- By insect bites.
- Through the soil
- Through the water.
- With dust particles.
- From food that has undergone insufficient heat treatment.
- Fecal-oral.
The first manifestations of worms in the body
Once in the human body, worms do not appear immediately. This is the main problem. The first signs of helminth infestation may appear only after two weeks. They include:
- fever;
- skin rash;
- painful abdominal pain;
- loss of appetite;
- the appearance of headaches;
- bowel dysfunction.
If you consult a doctor in time after you feel the first signs, many problems can be avoided.
Symptoms of worms in the human body
Once in the body, parasites eat most of the nutrients and vitamins, which significantly affects well-being.
Symptoms of helminth infestation in adults:
- the presence of allergies;
- the appearance of acne and boils;
- annoying cough;
- reduced immunity;
- depressed and irritable state;
- joint pain;
- disorders of the digestive system.
Symptoms of lung worm infection
Pulmonary infection with helminths can be asymptomatic for several years. After entering the human body, parasites actively multiply when a significant amount is reached, symptoms such as:
- weakness and lack of strength;
- dyspnea;
- wet cough;
- chest pain and discomfort;
- nausea and vomiting;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
In places where parasites enter the lungs, adhesions form and the shape of the lungs changes over time. Parasites provoke diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and pleurisy. In the advanced case, a fatal outcome is likely.
The main signs of intestinal helminthiasis
The most common habitat for worms in the human body is the intestines. The first symptoms appear when the helminths begin active reproduction:
- indigestion;
- nausea;
- flatulence;
- lack of strength and fatigue;
- itching in the anus;
- dermatitis and eczema of the skin.
Parasites poison the body with the products of their vital activity and all this leads to a general state of weakness and apathy.
Symptoms of worms in the stomach
This place is also a favorite for worms, the symptoms are as follows:
- often indigestion, constipation can suddenly turn into diarrhea;
- stomach and navel pain;
- decreased appetite;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- gnashing of teeth;
- insomnia.
Signs of heartworm infection
This type of parasite occurs in humans due to insect bites. There are two forms of heartworm disease - ocular and cutaneous:
- The skin form is the most common and can occur from mosquito bites, a small seal is formed at this site and it gradually migrates under the skin, causing discomfort. If you do not seek qualified help in a timely manner, severe redness and pain will appear at the site of the lesion.
- In the ocular form, the parasite lives under the skin of the eyelids and has the ability to penetrate the eyeball. Symptoms include redness and swelling, conjunctivitis and itching in the affected area, in addition to which the person constantly feels a foreign body in the eye. All this is accompanied by insomnia, increased nervousness and general weakness.
Symptoms of helminths in the throat
The throat is one of the most sensitive places in the human body. When it becomes inflamed, we immediately feel pain and discomfort, but sometimes there is a strong tickling and movement in the throat, which is often caused by helminths. It is worth noting that parasites can not live in the throat, as this is not a favorable habitat for them. It happens that the parasites that develop in the digestive system grow to such an extent that they enter the throat through the esophagus, usually accompanied by suffocation and severe cough.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion of the brain
Brain damage usually occurs through the nasal passages. Upon entering the brain, helminths infect the cortical center, destroy brain cells and actively multiply. Instead of dead cells, dead tissues remain, which leads to inflammatory processes in the brain. If emergency medical care is not provided, the patient may die within two weeks.
symptoms:
- severe headache;
- vomiting;
- hallucinations;
- weakness.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion in human blood
Blood is the habitat of several species of helminths, which have a very detrimental effect on the body. Symptoms include:
- dizziness;
- attacks of fever;
- joint pain;
- tingling in the limbs;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
How to recognize helminth infestation by skin rash
One of the main manifestations of the presence of helminths is the severe deterioration of the skin and the appearance of various rashes on it. This is due to the toxic substances released by the parasites. The most characteristic features are as follows:
- hives;
- severe itching;
- allergic rhinitis;
- dermatitis;
- psoriasis;
- the appearance of papillomas;
- brittle nails;
- increased hair loss;
- acne and furunculosis.
But you should not attribute all skin manifestations to the presence of worms in the body, the causes may be different and only a dermatologist, after conducting a study, will be able to determine them.
Symptoms of helminthiasis in the form of metabolic disorders
Failures in metabolic processes in the body should also warn. If on a normal diet there has been a sharp decrease or increase in weight, open anemia or hypovitaminosis, parasite infection should be considered. Rapid weight loss may be due to the fact that worms absorb all the nutrients consumed by humans. Weight gain can be triggered by toxic substances released by helminths, in response to which the body needs more food to remove toxins with it.
Symptoms of the immune system
As parasites eat all the nutrients and vitamins that enter the body, there is a strong suppression of the immune system and a person becomes susceptible to all infectious diseases and inflammatory processes of various organs. Chronic diseases are also on the rise.
Nervous system
On the part of the nervous system, helminthic invasion is expressed by the following symptoms:
- insomnia;
- increased fatigue;
- memory impairment;
- depressed state;
- reduced activity and productivity.
Signs of infection in children
Note! The presence of pinworms and roundworms is most often diagnosed in children.
Worm infestation in children has the following symptoms:
- poor appetite;
- pale facial skin;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- poor sleep, gnashing of teeth in sleep;
- headache, dizziness;
- general state of lethargy and weakness;
- the presence of worms in the stool of the child;
- itching in the anus;
- indigestion;
- large amount of saliva in the mouth;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- increase in body temperature for no apparent reason;
- allergic reactions, dermatitis, urticaria;
- inflammatory processes in the genitals;
- bad breath;
- fever;
- annoying cough;
- nausea and vomiting;
- frequent colds.
Advice! If your baby has three or more symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately. Often, even a stool test does not give accurate results, so it will be most effective to have a thorough examination.
It is important to understand that a small number of adult helminths in the body give almost no symptoms of helminth infestation in adults and children. It is possible to confirm or deny the infection only by undergoing laboratory tests and tests prescribed by a parasitologist on an individual basis.
Diagnosis of helminthiasis
Since it is possible to treat the body of parasites only after they are detected, and the symptoms of infection are similar to those of other diseases, a competent diagnosis is important. Her methods include:
- Serological analysis - detection of antibodies against helminths in the blood;
- Stool analysis - helps to identify the presence of larvae and fragments of adults;
- Coprological examination - examination of scraping, which is taken near the anus;
- Check for dysbacteriosis;
- CT scan;
- endoscopy;
- ultrasound.
It is easy to get infected with worms, but it is difficult to treat, especially chronic forms of helminth infestation. The course of treatment includes antiparasitic drugs, immunomodulators and sorbents. The treatment regimen is prescribed only by a doctor, self-medication can be not only useless but also dangerous.
Preventive measures against helminth infection
Preventing helminth infestations is extremely important for children and adults, by following certain rules, you can significantly reduce the chances of infection with parasites. The presence of helminth infestation in humans, as a rule, is due to lack of basic hygiene:
- be sure to wash your hands before each use of food when returning from the street, after contact with animals;
- well, preferably with the help of special products, wash fruits and vegetables before eating or scald them with boiling water;
- drink only purified or boiled water;
- try to avoid insect bites;
- fish, meat and other similar products are subjected to thorough heat treatment;
- make sure the child's nails are trimmed;
- periodically wash toys with special products;
- be sure to boil the items the patient has used for five minutes;
- twice a year to examine a child and an adult for helminths;
- to wean the child from holding hands and other objects in his mouth, especially those that have had contact with the soil.
The implementation of these measures is not particularly difficult. Observing them will be enough to protect yourself and your children from parasites. If something is missed and symptoms of helminth infestation begin to appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent complications.