How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infestations are observed in more than 1. 5 billion people. You can become infected with 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 around 80% of new cases of the disease affect children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiasis is recorded not only in underdeveloped countries: epidemics of enterobiasis and ascariasis often occur among wealthy segments of the population.

The wide distribution of helminthiasis is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the initial stages. Furthermore, symptoms of infestation do not appear when the number of parasites in the body is small. The patient may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time, but still infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

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

The main damages caused by helminths are:

gradual development of anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms consume nutrients from the intestine, as a result the body does not receive enough micro and macro elements, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal walls and damage 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 that have a destructive effect on central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes nervous, irritable and is disturbed by headaches, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reactions.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminth infestations, a rash often develops, itching appears, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

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

Helminths are typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworms– roundworms that enter the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not followed;
nematodes– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During the development cycle they can migrate together with the blood and lymphatic flow, entering the lungs and heart;
whipworm- a roundworm that lives in the large intestine. It penetrates the mucosa with the help of a thin head, damaging the integrity of the tissues and causing microulcers;
opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. The parasites clog the ducts, causing the stagnation of bile and interrupting the normal functioning of the organ;
curved heads- nematodes that parasitize the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with the larvae, which pierce the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body;
bull tapeworm- a tapeworm that reaches a length of up to 10 meters. It occupies almost the entire intestine, causing severe exhaustion;
intestinal eel– roundworms that enter the colon and cecum. To lay their eggs, the 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 human organs.

A parasitologist treats helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to the WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people worldwide suffer from soil-transmitted helminthiasis. There is a common misconception that you can only get infected with worms by consuming low-quality foods: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed meat and fish. But it's 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 humans, such stings are not sensitive: it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also contract parasites by inhaling microscopic eggs along with the dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on the organs affected by the helminth infestation, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headache, swelling and tremors in the extremities. In case of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain appears, hair falls out and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can lead to delayed physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

malaise, weakness, tiredness;
allergies, such as skin rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach ache;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
sleep problems, insomnia;
inflamed or swollen lymph nodes;
fever for no reason;
muscle and joint pain without exercise;
snoring or grinding your teeth in your sleep;
presence of worms in the stool;
itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).

How to find out if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of a helminth infestation. 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 period of the larvae or with an increase in the number of worms. The stronger the infestation (i. e. the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic course of the invasion is dangerous: the patient infects others and his health gradually worsens. 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.

Helminth analysis

To detect helminth infestation, the following tests may be prescribed:

stool analysis.Stool is examined for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require preliminary preparation: it is sufficient for the patient to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiasis.To determine enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to perform a curettage (smear) from the anal area. Usually the test is prescribed in the morning before going to the bathroom;
blood test for specific antibodies.The most revealing study that allows us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorcus, acne and lamblia.

How long is a stool test for worms valid?

A stool test for worms allows specialists to detect helminth eggs (if any). This study does not provide 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, even if the invasion persists. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend carrying out a stool test two or three times with a short interval between tests.

Blood test for parasites

Blood testing for specific antibodies is the most informative method of detecting helminth infestation. After the analysis, the doctor can not only talk about the presence of worms, but also determine their type and thus select the most effective therapeutic complex.

Worms are recognized by the human immune system as pathogens: 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, your doctor will order several tests. A 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 any analysis is better or worse: it is necessary to do various tests to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.

Where to go if you suspect the presence of 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 malaise: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not go away within a week or the condition recurs periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you feel unwell), you should see your doctor. Bouts of ill health may 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 medical specialist - 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 detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at fighting a specific 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 enough, but sometimes a course of medication is needed - the treatment is developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed therapeutic tactics: this can lead to the permanence of worm eggs in the body, which will subsequently cause re-infestation.

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

Helminthiasis: treatment with folk remedies

There are a sufficient number of methods for treating 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 intestine is injured by worms, consuming products with strong essential oils will cause further irritation of the mucosa, increase pain and problems with bowel movements.

Also, you should not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not cause their evacuation, e. g. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of 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 helminth infestation, it is recommended:

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

Helminth infections are highly treatable and do not cause serious harm to the body if detected in a timely manner. Therefore, the main thing is to seek medical help in time. To prevent helminthiasis, you need to follow hygiene rules and undergo regular checkups by a doctor.