How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A person suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infestations are seen in more than 1. 5 billion people. You can get worms through food, raw water, or through contact with a sick person.

Helminthiasis or helminth infestations are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms that live in the human body. According to the latest data, 1 in 100 people are hidden carriers, and about 80% of new cases of the disease are in children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiasis is registered not only in underdeveloped countries: outbreaks of enterobiosis and ascariasis are often found among the wealthy strata of the population.

The wide spread of helminthiasis is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the early stages. In addition, symptoms of infection do not appear when the number of parasites in the body is low. The patient may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time, but nevertheless infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

Today, 360 types of worms are known that are dangerous to humans. Most of them parasitize the human intestine or liver, but depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (egg, larva, adult), any organs and systems can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs. etc. Further.

The main damages caused by helminths are:

gradual development of anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms consume nutrients from the intestines, as a result of which the body does not receive enough micro- and macroelements, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal walls and damage the surrounding tissues during migration. Microscopic wounds and ulcers form on the organs, the gastrointestinal mucosa is constantly inflamed and the risk of infection increases;
pathologies of the nervous system.Worms not only destroy the tissues around them, but also release waste products - toxins, which have a destructive effect on the central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes nervous, irritable and worried about headache, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reactions.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic infestations, a skin rash often develops, itching occurs, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

Helminth infestations in children can cause developmental delay and lead to dangerous complications: from perforation (through ulcers) of the intestines to paralysis of the arms and legs.

Typical representatives are helminths

The most common types of parasites include:

sedges– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and colon. The infection occurs when the rules of personal hygiene are not followed;
roundworms– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During the developmental cycle, they can migrate along with the blood and lymph flow, entering the lungs and heart;
whipworm- a roundworm that lives in the large intestine. It penetrates the mucous membrane with the help of a thin head, damaging the integrity of the tissues and causing microulcers;
Opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. Parasites clog the ducts, causing stagnation of bile and disrupting the normal functioning of the organ;
curved heads- roundworms that parasitize the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with larvae that pierce the skin, enter the blood and spread throughout the body;
whipworm- a tapeworm reaching a length of up to 10 meters. Occupies almost the entire intestine, which leads to severe exhaustion;
intestinal eel– roundworms that penetrate the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, worms approach the anus, causing severe itching in the anal area;
Echinococcus– tapeworms that affect not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also the liver and lungs. They cause echinococcosis, a disease in which cysts form in various organs of a person.

A parasitologist treats helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to the WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people worldwide suffer from soil-transmitted helminth infections. There is a common misconception that you can only get worms by consuming low-quality foods: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed meat and fish. But this is not true. Some parasites can penetrate through intact skin.

Helminth larvae penetrate the skin, enter the capillaries and spread throughout the body along with the bloodstream. For people, such breakthroughs are not sensitive - it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also become infected with parasites by inhaling microscopic eggs along with dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organs are affected by helminthic invasion, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headache, swelling and tremors of the limbs. With a strong lack of vitamins, joint pains appear, hair falls out, nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can lead to delayed physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

malaise, weakness, fatigue;
allergies, such as skin rashes, cough, asthma attacks;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach pains;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
sleep problems, insomnia;
swollen or enlarged lymph nodes;
fever without cause;
muscle and joint pain without exercise;
snoring or grinding teeth during sleep;
presence of worms in feces;
itching in the anal area (often with stings).

How do you know if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of a helminthic invasion. In the initial stages, the disease can be practically asymptomatic. The patient does not feel pain, the immune system can suppress the pathogenic effects of toxins and allergens for some time. As a rule, exacerbation begins during the migration of larvae or with an increase in the number of worms. The stronger the infestation (ie, the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic course of the invasion is dangerous - the patient infects others and his health gradually deteriorates. In order to detect the disease, it is necessary to periodically undergo a preventive examination in the hospital. As part of prevention, the therapist prescribes tests for worms at least once a year. If you live in an endemic region - once every six months.

Analysis of helminths

The following tests may be prescribed to detect helminthic infestation:

stool analysis.Feces are examined for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require preliminary preparation: the patient just needs to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiosis.To determine enterobiosis (a disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to take a scraping (smear) from the anal area. Usually the test is prescribed in the morning before going to the toilet;
blood test for specific antibodies.The most revealing study that allows us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchis, acne and lamblia.

How long is the stool test for worms valid?

The analysis of feces for worms allows specialists to detect helminth eggs (if any). This test does not give a 100% guarantee of detection, since the number of eggs depends on the life cycle of the worms and periodically they may not be detected in the feces, although the infestation remains. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend doing a stool test two or three times with a short interval between tests.

Blood test for parasites

A blood test for specific antibodies is the most informative method for detecting helminth invasion. After the analysis, the doctor can not only talk about the presence of worms, but also determine their type and therefore choose the most effective therapeutic complex.

Worms are recognized by the human immune system as a pathogen: the body begins to produce specific antibodies to fight the parasites. This is what the analysis reveals.

Which worm test is better?

If a parasitic infection is suspected, the doctor will prescribe several tests. The comprehensive study allows you to determine with 100% accuracy the presence of worms, determine the type and stage of the life cycle. It cannot be said that each analysis is better or worse: it is necessary to do several tests to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.

Where to go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminth infestation, you should make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the early stages, helminthiasis has no specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one has worms. As a rule, the patient complains of mild discomfort: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not disappear within a week or the condition recurs periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you feel bad), you should consult your doctor. Attacks of ill health can be associated with the migration of parasites.

Which doctor treats worms in humans?

Treatment of parasitic infestations is carried out by an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist. But you should not immediately consult a specialist doctor: it is better to consult a therapist. He will prescribe a series of tests and, if necessary, refer you to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.

How to treat helminthiasis?

If worms are found, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at fighting a certain type of worm. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms at every stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, a single dose of tablets is sufficient, but sometimes a course of drugs is necessary - the treatment is developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed treatment tactics - this can lead to the eggs of worms remaining in the body, which will subsequently lead to re-infection.

Along with antiparasitic drugs, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins to eliminate vitamin deficiency and antihistamines (in case of an allergic reaction) can be prescribed.

Helminthiasis: treatment with folk remedies

There are a sufficient number of methods of treatment of helminthiasis with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume a large number of foods with strong essential oils: for example, drink clove infusions or eat garlic. Such methods are not only ineffective, but also dangerous.

If the intestines are injured by worms, then the consumption of products with strong essential oils will cause further irritation of the mucous membrane, increase pain and problems with bowel movements.

You should also not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not provoke their evacuation, i. e. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of the invasion is possible only under the supervision of an experienced doctor!

Prevention of helminthiasis

Treatment of helminthiasis should be carried out not only by the patient, but also by all members of his family. It is also necessary to boil bed linen and underwear and carry out wet cleaning using disinfectants. In the future, to prevent helminthic invasion, it is recommended:

control the quality of the foods you eat: do not eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and herbs, unprocessed meat or raw fish;
observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not use other people's towels and utensils;
once a year undergo a comprehensive examination, including tests for worm eggs.

Helminth infections are very treatable and do not cause serious damage to the body if detected in time. That is why it is most important to seek medical help on time. In order to prevent helminthiasis, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene and undergo a regular examination by a doctor.