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. Parasites are mainly located 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 soon as possible and take measures to eliminate them in order to avoid health problems. After all, this disease can have many consequences, up to and including death. But it is quite difficult to determine the presence of helminthic invasion in the body, since the symptoms are similar to other diseases and it is difficult to say exactly which infection is attacking the body. It is important to understand 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, whipworms, broad tapeworms and other parasites that live in the intestine.
- Tissue: Echinococcosis, paragonimiasis, cysticercosis and other types of parasites that can spread to all important internal organs and affect them.
Most often, the following types of helminthic invasions are diagnosed in the human body: enterobiasis, ascariasis, tricuriasis, strongyloidosis.
Methods of worm infection
There are many ways in which parasite larvae enter the body, among which the main ones can be distinguished:
- Contact: Larvae are transmitted from person to person.
- Through an insect bite.
- Through the ground
- 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 manifest themselves immediately. This is the main problem. The first signs of helminth invasion may appear only after two weeks. These include:
- increase in body temperature;
- skin rashes;
- aching pain in the abdomen;
- loss of appetite;
- the appearance of a headache;
- rupture of the intestine.
If, having felt the first signs, in time to consult a doctor, many problems can be avoided.
Symptoms of the presence of worms in the human body
Being in the body, parasites eat most of the nutrients and vitamins, which significantly affects well-being.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion in adults:
- the presence of allergies;
- the appearance of acne and boils;
- annoying cough;
- reduced immunity;
- been depressed and irritable;
- joint pain;
- disorders of the digestive system.
Symptoms of worm infection of the lungs
Helminth infection of the lungs can be asymptomatic for several years. After penetrating the human body, parasites actively multiply, when a significant amount is reached, symptoms such as:
- weakness and lack of strength;
- dyspnea;
- wet cough;
- pain and discomfort in the chest area;
- nausea and vomit;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
Where parasites enter the lungs, adhesions form and, over time, the shape of the lungs changes. Parasites cause diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and pleurisy. In an advanced case, a fatal outcome is likely.
The main signs of intestinal helminthiasis
Most often, the habitat of worms in the human body is the intestine. The very first symptoms appear when helminths begin active reproduction:
- indigestion;
- nausea;
- flatulence;
- lack of strength and fatigue;
- itching in the anus;
- dermatitis and eczema on 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 the presence of worms in the stomach
This place is also a favorite of worms, the symptoms are as follows:
- frequent indigestion, constipation can abruptly turn into diarrhea;
- pain in the stomach and navel;
- decreased appetite;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- grinding your 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 cutaneous form is the most common and can appear from a mosquito bite, at this point a small seal is formed that gradually migrates under the skin, causing discomfort. If you do not seek qualified help in a timely manner, severe redness and pain appear at the site of the injury.
- In the ocular form, the parasite lives under the skin of the eyelids and there is a possibility that it will penetrate the eyeball. Symptoms are redness and swelling, conjunctivitis and itching in the affected area, plus 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 you can feel a strong tickling and shaking in the throat, which is often caused by helminths. It is worth noting that parasites cannot 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 a size that they enter the throat through the esophagus, this is usually accompanied by choking and a strong cough.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion of the brain
Brain damage usually occurs through the nasal passages. When they enter the brain, helminths infect the cortical center, destroy brain cells and actively multiply. Instead of dead cells, dead tissues remain, which lead to inflammatory processes in the brain. If urgent medical attention is not provided to the patient, he can die within two weeks.
Symptoms:
- severe pain in the head;
- He retched;
- hallucinations;
- weakness.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion in human blood
Blood is the habitat of several types of helminths, which have a very harmful effect on the body. Symptoms include:
- dizziness;
- bouts of fever;
- joint pain;
- numbness of the limbs;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
How to recognize helminthic invasion from skin rashes
One of the main manifestations of the presence of helminths is a sharp deterioration in the condition 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 signs are the following:
- urticaria;
- severe itching;
- allergic rhinitis;
- dermatitis;
- psoriasis;
- the appearance of papillomas;
- brittleness of the nails;
- increased hair loss;
- acne and furunculosis.
But you should not attribute all skin manifestations to the presence of worms in the body, the reasons may be different, and only a dermatologist, having conducted research, will be able to determine them.
Symptoms of helminthiasis in the form of metabolic disorders
Failures in metabolic processes in the body should also alert. If, with a normal diet, a sharp decrease or gain in weight has occurred, anemia or hypovitaminosis has been detected, one should think about parasite infection. Rapid weight loss may be due to the worms absorbing all the nutrients a person consumes. Weight gain can be provoked by toxic substances secreted by helminths, in response to them, the body requires more food to remove toxins with it.
Symptoms from the immune system
Since parasites eat all the nutrients and vitamins that enter the body, there is a strong suppression of the immune system and the person becomes susceptible to all infectious diseases and inflammatory processes of various organs. Chronic diseases are also on the rise.
Nervous system
From the side of the nervous system, the helminthic invasion is expressed by the following symptoms:
- insomnia;
- increased fatigue;
- memory impairment;
- been depressed;
- decreased activity and performance.
Signs of Infection in Children
Note! In children, pinworms and roundworms are often diagnosed.
Worm infestation in children has the following symptoms:
- poor appetite;
- pale skin of the face;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- poor sleep, grinding your teeth in a dream;
- headache, dizziness;
- general state of lethargy and weakness;
- the presence of worms in the child's feces;
- itching in the anus;
- indigestion;
- a large amount of saliva in the mouth;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- an increase in body temperature for no apparent reason;
- allergic reactions, dermatitis, urticaria;
- inflammatory processes in the genitals;
- bad breath;
- fever;
- annoying cough;
- nausea and vomit;
- frequent colds.
Advise! If a child has three or more signs, you should see a doctor right away. Often, even a stool study does not give accurate results, so it will be more effective to undergo a full examination.
It is important to understand that a small number of adult helminths in the body gives almost no symptoms of helminthic invasion in adults and children. It is possible to confirm or deny the infection only by passing tests and laboratory studies prescribed by a parasitologist on an individual basis.
Diagnosis of helminthiasis
Since it is possible to cure 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. Methods of him include:
- Serological analysis - detection of antibodies to helminth in the blood;
- Fecal analysis - helps to identify the presence of adult larvae and fragments;
- Coprological examination - the study of curettage, which is carried out near the anus;
- Check for dysbacteriosis;
- CT scan;
- endoscopy;
- ultrasound.
It is easy to get infected with worms, but difficult to treat, especially the chronic forms of helminth invasion. The course of treatment includes antiparasitic, immunomodulatory and sorbent drugs. The treatment regimen is prescribed only by a doctor, self-medication can be not only useless, but also dangerous.
Preventive measures against helminth infection
Prevention of helminth invasions is extremely important for children and adults, following certain rules can significantly reduce the chances of parasite infection. The presence of helminthic invasion in humans, as a rule, is due to the lack of basic hygiene:
- make sure to wash your hands before each use of food, on returning home from the street, after contact with animals;
- well, preferably using special products, wash fruits and vegetables before eating them 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 careful heat treatment;
- make sure that the baby's nails are cut short;
- periodically wash children's toys using special products;
- be sure to boil the items that the patient has used for five minutes;
- twice a year to undergo examination of a child and an adult for the presence of helminths;
- wean the baby to take hands and other objects in the mouth, especially those that have had contact with the soil.
Implementing these measures is not very difficult. Their observance will be enough to protect you and your children as much as possible from parasites. If something is missing and symptoms of helminthic invasion begin to appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent complications.