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 these conditions will it be possible to eliminate this problem. For this purpose, traditional drugs and methods are used.
It can sometimes be very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, since helminth infestation is very similar in its symptoms to the pathologies of many diseases of the intestine and stomach, gallbladder, liver and infectious diseases .
What types of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- spin;
- tapeworms;
- lucky breaks.
Roundworms are thin, long worms that are yellowish or pink in color. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, which can happen if contaminated food is consumed. The larvae grow from eggs in the intestine and spread throughout the body.
Together with the bloodstream, they are transported through the internal organs, causing small hemorrhages. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo one of the signs of a helminth infestation is abdominal pain) we can highlight the presence of fever and muscle pain. Often no one pays special attention to these signs, as they associate them with colds. Meanwhile, the larvae, together with the bloodstream, are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after maturation, they penetrate the oral cavity and then into the intestine, where they grow and multiply. During their life, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestine, which cause health problems and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- abdominal pain;
- frequent need to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss, rashes on the body and other signs of allergies may occur.
During childhood, the main concern is pinworms. These are small grayish nematodes. Their appearance is caused by failure to comply with hygiene standards and the consumption of low-quality products. Furthermore, contagion through pets is possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestine.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, since self-infection constantly occurs. At night, pinworms lay their eggs in the folds near the anus. At this time, very strong itching and painful sensations are noted. General health worsens significantly, as parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears in the form:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach ache.
Another roundworm is whipworm. Its back part is thick, barrel-shaped, and the head part is very thin, hair-shaped. Using a thin part of the body, parasites penetrate the intestinal walls and feed on blood. Infection occurs when whipworm eggs get into 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. Larvae go through several stages during development. 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 symptoms quite characteristic of worms, in particular rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Bovine and porcine tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can get the infection by consuming undercooked or undercooked meat. The body of the tapeworm consists of several flat parts where the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of special suckers and hooks, these parasites attach very firmly to the intestinal walls. They suck out all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. The main symptoms of worms include severe weakness, weight loss, nausea and intestinal dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines and dizziness. There are fainting spells.
When the liver fluke enters the body, it causes the disease opisthorchiasis. You can get the infection 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 disorders, and sometimes a slight yellowness of the skin can be observed. Most people seek medical attention with signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If parasites are not removed from the body for a long time, liver cirrhosis 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 infection with worms:
- through the ground;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open tanks.
Sometimes the source of the infection can be the bite of stinging insects. You can get the infection 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 variety of symptoms. If they occur, you should definitely see a doctor for a complete diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person in the early stages, this will allow you to avoid a number of diagnostic errors. Among the main features it is necessary to highlight:
- allergic skin rashes;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of a runny nose, pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- nervousness.
If the worms are long, they form whole balls that prevent the secretion 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 by waste products of worms, depression is observed. As parasites move through the body and damage tissues, a person begins to experience pain in the joints. If there are worms, the symptoms can be very different; only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
Signs of childhood helminth infestation
The symptoms and signs of worms in a child are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether the child has parasites in the intestine by manifestations such 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 appointment of correct and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute phase
The first symptoms of worms in an adult appear not immediately after infection, but after a few 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. During 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 is observed:
- swelling;
- skin rashes;
- itchy skin;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be ruled out. Some types of parasites can cause serious reactions such as swelling of the face. Particularly complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens due to rupture of the cyst. In this case, the patient's risk of anaphylactic shock and death 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 serious infection, your health worsens significantly. Cough and chest pain often appear.
Manifestations of the chronic stage
In the 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:
- intestinal dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- swelling;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete 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 there are in the body, the more pronounced the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths we must highlight headaches, insomnia and distraction.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with worms such as flukes or, as they are also called, flukes. These parasites live in different organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms appear as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- Temperature increase;
- swollen 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 bloody diarrhea.
Perform diagnostics
If symptoms of worms occur in a person, treatment should be carried out immediately after diagnosis. To detect the presence of parasites in the body, several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used. These include:
- linked immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA test;
- serological techniques;
- X-ray;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
The enzyme immunoassay helps determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as identify their type. ELISA tests indicate the body's reaction when infected with parasites. 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 phase. 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, stage of development, which significantly speeds up the recovery process.
Drug therapy for adults
If symptoms of worms occur in adults, treatment should be carried out immediately, as only this will prevent the development of dangerous complications and pathologies. Therapy for helminthiasis involves the use of a whole range of procedures and drugs, as well as strict medical prescriptions.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment necessarily involves taking certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds is aimed at destroying many types of worms. There are also targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs cause some side effects, in particular nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, it is necessary to take 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 dosage, which often cannot be done with tablets, as they are coated with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to eliminate the symptoms of helminth infestation quickly and effectively, but they are highly toxic substances and can lead to intoxication of the body.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites cause serious inconvenience and deterioration of well-being. That is why, after the appearance of symptoms of worms in children, treatment should begin immediately. The drugs are available in tablet form and in suspension form.
These medicines contain various active ingredients that are only effective against a specific type of parasite, so the medicine can only be used after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, the treatment is selected individually to effectively eliminate parasites and not harm the child's body. It is imperative to strictly adhere to the recipe, since the dosage is always selected separately for each child and depends on his weight, age and type of parasite.
Many drugs are prohibited for children weighing less than 12 kg.
Folk remedies
If you have symptoms of worms at home, treatment can be carried out using traditional methods. To combat helminthiasis, various herbs are used that are no less effective than drugs. These include the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- mugwort;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminth infestations is to consume raw pumpkin seeds. As a preventive measure, you can use carrot juice, which is recommended to consume for 2 weeks, 200 ml each.
In addition to decoctions and tinctures, it is also recommended to do enemas that will help remove helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Any of these means is used only in strained form, so that small particles of plants do not enter the intestine and damage the mucosa.
Carry out prevention
It is recommended to regularly carry out preventive measures, as this will prevent helminth infection and subsequent treatment for a long time. For prevention, it is necessary to try to avoid outbreaks of worm infection, and also use folk remedies. Preventive measures should also be included:
- maintenance of hygiene;
- eat only well-washed fruit and vegetables;
- extermination of insects in the house carrying helminth eggs;
- drink only boiled water;
- carry out pharmacological prophylaxis.
You should use drugs only after consulting a doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.