Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasites present in the body. Treatment necessarily requires an integrated approach, only under this condition will it be possible to eliminate this problem. Medicines and traditional methods are used for this purpose.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in people, since the helminthic invasion is very similar in its symptoms to the pathologies of many diseases of the intestines and stomach, gall bladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What types of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- tapeworm;
- flukes.
Roundworms are thin and long worms with a yellowish or pink tint. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, which can happen if infected food is consumed. Larvae develop from eggs in the intestine and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood flow, they are carried to the internal organs, causing minor hemorrhages. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo, one of the signs of a helminthic invasion is pain in the abdomen), the presence of fever and body aches can be highlighted. Often no one pays special attention to these signs, as they associate them with colds. Meanwhile, the larvae, along with the blood stream, are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after ripening, they enter the oral cavity and then the intestines, where they grow and multiply. During their lifetime, roundworms secrete toxic substances in the human intestine, which provokes poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- stomach ache;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- diarrheal stools;
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss, body rashes and other signs of allergies may occur.
In childhood, sedges are the main concern. These are small grayish roundworms. Their appearance is caused by non-compliance with hygiene rules and consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection through pets is possible. Pinworms live and multiply in the intestines.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasites, since self-infection constantly occurs. At night, pinworms lay eggs in the folds near the anus. At this time, very strong itching and painful sensations are noted. General health deteriorates significantly, as parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears in the form:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach pains.
Another roundworm is the whipworm. Its back is thick, barrel-shaped, and its head is very thin, hair-shaped. Using a thin part of the body, the parasites penetrate the intestinal walls and feed on blood. Infection occurs when the eggs of the worms get into the food.
The parasite damages the intestinal walls, causing intoxication of the body, which often leads to appendicitis.
The broad tapeworm is a long worm that belongs to the tapeworm family. This flat parasite reaches very large sizes. During their development, the larvae go through several stages. Its intermediate hosts are river fish and crayfish. A person consumes river fish infected with helminths, with which the latter enter the body, where they begin to grow.
This parasite is large in size, so it requires a lot of food. As a result, a person develops quite characteristic symptoms of worms, in particular rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Beef and pork tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected by eating undercooked or undercooked meat. The tapeworm's body consists of several flat parts in which the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of special suction cups and hooks, these parasites are very firmly attached to the intestinal walls. They suck out all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. Among the main symptoms of worms are severe weakness, weight loss, nausea and bowel dysfunction. A person is constantly worried about headaches, even migraines and dizziness. He has seizures.
When a liver fluke enters the body, it causes the disease opisthorchosis. You can become infected by consuming river fish that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment. If a person has this type of worms, the symptoms are expressed in the form of pain and a feeling of fullness in the right side, stool disorder and sometimes a slight yellowing of the skin can be observed. Most people go to the doctor with signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If the parasites are not removed from the body for a long time, cirrhosis of the liver and malignant tumors can form.
Methods of infection
Before identifying the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, you need to understand exactly how the infection occurs. The main ways of getting infected with worms:
- through the soil;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open water bodies.
Sometimes the source of infection can be a stinging insect bite. You can become infected through food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Main signs in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be immediately recognized correctly. Parasites cause a number of symptoms. If they appear, you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person in the initial stages, this will allow you to avoid a number of diagnostic errors. Among the main characteristics, it is necessary to emphasize:
- allergic skin rashes;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of runny nose, pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- nervousness.
If the worms are long, they form whole balls that prevent the release of bile and pancreatic juice. As a result, symptoms of worms appear in humans, such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Teeth grinding may occur.
Against the background of constant chronic poisoning with waste products from worms, depression is observed. When the parasites move through the body and damage the tissues, a person begins to experience joint pain. If there are worms, the symptoms can be very different, only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
Signs of helminthic invasion in childhood
Symptoms and signs of worms in a child are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether the baby has parasites in the intestines by such manifestations as:
- increased activity;
- salivation;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling of the eyelids;
- craving for sweet foods;
- lethargy and drowsiness;
- signs of anemia;
- frequent colds.
If these signs and symptoms of worms are observed in a child, then there is a high probability of the presence of parasites in the body. In this case, you should definitely visit a doctor for diagnosis and prescription of proper and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute stage
The first symptoms of worms in an adult do not appear immediately after infection, but after several days. The average incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself in the form of allergic reactions. In the process of growth and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that lead to intoxication of the body.
Among the allergic symptoms of worms in an adult, the following are observed:
- swelling;
- rashes;
- skin itching;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma is not excluded. Some types of parasites can cause severe reactions such as swelling of the face. Particularly complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of rupture of the cyst. In this case, the risk of anaphylactic shock and death of the patient increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in an adult in the acute stage include not only allergic manifestations, but also an increase in temperature. With a severe infection, your health deteriorates significantly. Cough and chest pain often occur.
Manifestations of the chronic stage
In a chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in an adult largely depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms may be observed:
- bowel dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- bloating;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths release substances that negatively affect the digestion process. There may be a lack of nutrients in the body.
Symptoms of worms in adults often include various psychological disorders. The more parasites in the body, the more pronounced the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, it is necessary to emphasize headache, insomnia and distraction.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with worms such as trematodes or, as they are also called, flukes. These parasites live in various organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms manifest as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- rise in temperature;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- chills;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can lead to the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic renal failure. The intestinal form manifests itself in the form of pain, poor appetite and diarrhea mixed with blood.
Conducting diagnostics
If symptoms of worms appear in a person, treatment should be carried out immediately after diagnosis. To determine the presence of parasites in the body, several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used. They include:
- coupled immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA tests;
- serological techniques;
- Roentgen;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
Enzyme immunoassay helps to determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as to identify their type. ELISA tests show the body's response to parasite infection. This technique is not independent. It should be used in conjunction with other types of research.
Serological methods are used to diagnose helminthiasis in the acute stage. Bioresonance diagnostics is a study that allows you to identify parasites at a very early stage.
Modern diagnostic techniques with high accuracy will help not only to recognize the fact of infection with worms, but also to determine what type they belong to, to establish the age, the stage of development, which significantly accelerates the recovery process.
Drug therapy for adults
If symptoms of worms appear in adults, treatment should be carried out immediately, as only this will prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Treatment of helminthiasis includes the use of a whole range of procedures and drugs, as well as strict adherence to medical prescriptions.
In order to eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment must necessarily include taking certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds is aimed at destroying many types of worms. There are also narrowly targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs cause certain side effects, in particular, nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations appear, you should take an enterosorbent.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in adults, treatment can be carried out with anthelmintic drugs in the form of drops. This medicine is very convenient to use, as it allows you to accurately calculate the dose, which often cannot be done with tablets, since they are covered with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of helminth invasion, but they are highly toxic substances and can lead to intoxication of the body.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites cause severe discomfort and deterioration of well-being. Therefore, once symptoms of worms appear in children, treatment should begin immediately. Medicines are available in the form of tablets and in the form of a suspension.
These drugs contain various active ingredients that are effective only against a certain type of parasite, so the drug can only be used after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, the treatment is selected individually in order to effectively get rid of the parasites and not harm the child's body. Strict adherence to the prescription is mandatory, as the dosage is always selected separately for each child and depends on his weight, age and type of parasite.
Many medicines are prohibited for children weighing less than 12 kg.
People's funds
If you have symptoms of worms at home, treatment can be done using traditional methods. Various herbs are used to combat helminthiasis, which are no less effective than drugs. These include the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettles;
- gorse;
- wormwood;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminth infestations is the consumption of raw pumpkin seeds. As a preventive measure, you can use carrot juice, which is recommended to be consumed for 2 weeks at 200 ml.
In addition to decoctions and tinctures, it is additionally recommended to make enemas that will help remove helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Each of these drugs is used only in strained form, so that small particles of the plants do not enter the intestine and damage the mucous membrane.
Conducting prevention
It is recommended to carry out preventive measures regularly, as this will prevent helminth infection and subsequent treatment for a long time. For prevention, you should try to avoid foci of infection with worms, as well as use folk remedies. It is also advisable to include preventive measures:
- maintaining hygiene;
- eating only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- destruction of insects in the house that carry helminth eggs;
- drinking only boiled water;
- conducting drug prophylaxis.
You should use medicines only after consulting a doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.