Worms in humans: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

When worms enter the human body, they begin their parasitic activity, thus causing discomfort in the person. Helminth infestations often cause severe allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disease, and other conditions unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract. However, traditional treatment of these diseases does not lead to recovery. The presence of worms in humans can be suspected with a high probability based on certain symptoms, but helminthiasis manifests itself clinically only when the worms multiply massively. In case of asymptomatic cases, laboratory tests will help to reliably diagnose helminthiasis. Symptoms of worms in humans can be different, but first of all abdominal pain, discomfort near the anus, nausea and general malaise appear. To restore good health, you need to get rid of worms using anthelmintic drugs or folk remedies.

What are worms

Worms are parasites of humans and animals belonging to the class of flatworms or nematodes. Worms have a fairly common structure.
In their development, worms traditionally go through several stages: egg - larva - adult. Most of a person's worm infections occur when they ingest worm eggs.

Eggs ingested into the human intestinal tract quickly hatch into larvae, which begin to migrate to their permanent living place, where they transform into adults. In the process of movement, almost all helminths make real "journeys" through the human body.

Only a few parasites (for example, pinworms) hatch from eggs in the intestinal tract and remain there. Usually, the destruction of tissues and organs and the symptoms caused by larvae and other forms of developing helminths during movement are the most pronounced, compared to the symptoms caused by parasites of mature forms

As we said above, adult worms traditionally have a stable localization in the body, and their developing forms often migrate to different organs and tissues, and often the path of their movement is quite complex. For example, with ascariasis, a person becomes infected by eating foods contaminated with worm eggs (ascaris eggs ripen in the soil).

In the cavity of the intestinal tract, roundworm eggs hatch into larvae, which within a couple of hours enter through the wall of the intestinal tract into the blood vessels and are transported to the lungs through the bloodstream. Nematode larvae grow and mature in the lungs. The growing larva slowly gnaws the adjacent bronchi and crawls along them, first into the trachea and then into the oral cavity, where it is again swallowed and transported to the intestinal tract.

The roundworm larva that enters the intestinal tract develops into an adult worm. Pulmonary migration of roundworm larvae is manifested by an abundance of symptoms (cough, asthma attacks, increased body temperature, allergic skin rashes), and the presence of a small number of adult worms in the intestinal tract may not manifest itself in any way.

What are worms? Worms are scientifically called helminths. Helminths include all worms that parasitize the bodies of people, animals and plants. As a result, worms are not a specific type of parasite, but a whole group of different worms, three of which are the most common.

Some scientists claim that almost the entire population of the Earth is infected with one or another parasitic worms. However, in this case, helminth infestations should be the most common diseases in the world, and, moreover, numerous serious studies show that in reality, not everything is so bad. But the thought that a person still has helminths makes him immediately look for an answer to the question of how to get rid of worms.

It should also be understood that helminth infestation is not something rare and insignificant. There are more than three hundred species; in humans the larvae enter well beyond the intestine and continue to develop there, gradually poisoning the body. Let's find out what the symptoms of worms are in humans, because whoever is forewarned, as we know, is forearmed. And then we'll find out how to get rid of worms effectively and what is needed to ensure they don't return.

In fact, it is very simple to determine the presence of worms in the body of any person: just do a stool test. However, the problem is that most people don't even think about undergoing such a test. The problem is that helminths in adults and children manifest themselves disguised as a huge number of diseases and at first do not reveal their presence at all.

A person can spend years treating the intestines, liver, kidneys, stomach, gall bladder, and the root of the evil will be helminthiasis and parasites, which feel great when they are not fought.

Often, helminth infestation causes the development of diseases that have nothing to do with the helminths themselves. And in this case you can be treated endlessly if you do not understand in time what is happening.

All this proves that worms are not just an unpleasant phenomenon. And given the presence of a huge number of ways of infection, knowing the signs of worms in humans is vitally important.

How do worms (parasites) appear?

The symptoms of helminthic diseases depend on the stage of development of the parasite. The development of helminthiasis is usually divided into acute and acquired phases.

• The acute phase of development of parasites begins from the moment the patient becomes infected with worms and lasts 2-3 weeks (in case of severe disease - up to 2 months).This stage is characterized by the predominance of allergic manifestations (skin rash, dry suffocating cough, increased levels of eosinophils in the blood), which develop in response to the appearance of antigens (fragments) of migrating larvae in the blood. The immune response is very pronounced in the phase in which the first forms of the parasite (larvae) are found in the body of an infected person;
• the acquired stage of development of worms occurs after the acute stage and lasts several weeks, months or years (for some helminthic diseases - up to 10 years). The symptoms of this phase for us depend on the location of the worms, their number and eating habits.
  In the places where they spread, parasites damage tissues with their fixation organs (hooks, spines, cutting plates, cuticular spines). The damage causes tissue irritation and the development of an inflammatory reaction.

Some fast-growing parasites, such as cysticerci or hydatid cysts, found in the brain, eyeballs and liver, compress surrounding tissues, often causing dysfunction of vital organs, leading to serious consequences.

In the acquired stage of helminthiasis, metabolism is disrupted, as the parasite constantly absorbs valuable nutrients, such as proteins, minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins. Additionally, the process of absorption of digested food in the intestinal tract is disrupted. The acquired phase in most digestive helminth infestations is often asymptomatic, especially in cases where the parasites are represented by a single individual.

Any symptoms of the disease appear only when the parasite is huge, such as roundworms or tapeworms.
With other helminthiasis, for example with enterobiasis, nocturnal itching may appear in the anal area; intensive invasion with trichuriasis contributes to the development of hemorrhagic colitis; Symptoms of rectal prolapse may appear in children.

How can you get infected with worms?

You can acquire parasites in various ways. In this case the worms are transported by larvae that are almost invisible to the naked eye.

Main methods of infection:

• lack of hygiene skills - dirty hands, floor work;
• eating food contaminated with helminths - unwashed fruits and food eaten by husbands, as well as insufficiently heat-treated meat and fish (kebabs, rare steaks, smoked foods, sushi, etc. );
• drink unboiled water contaminated with worm eggs;
• contact with animals that are natural reserves of worms - dogs and cats, wild animals (hunting, fishing, work on fur farms);
• contact with a person suffering from helminthiasis: a handshake, through bed linen, door handles, etc.

In which organs can worms live?

Helminth parasites are divided into two categories, which correspond to the site of activity in the donor's body:

• cavitary– worms that live in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. There are approximately 100 species of intestinal parasites, and there are a couple of dozen species for each part of the intestine. The small intestine is ready to welcome roundworms, antelostomes, large tapeworms and other less common "brothers". The small intestine will "share living space" with pinworms, dwarf tapeworms and others. Medical literature describes cases when a person was simultaneously infected with several types of parasites;
• tissue- worms located in organs, tissues and even blood. Modern medicine successfully copes with paragonimiasis (lungs), cysticercosis (brain), echinococcosis (liver) and filariasis (lymphatic vessels). Some worm larvae move throughout the body through the circulatory system and randomly attach themselves to any organ. If many eggs are introduced, the entire body can become infected.

How can you get infected with worms?

To protect yourself, you need to know 4 ways worm eggs spread and become infected:

• through soil and water - geohelminthiasis. They develop in sand, soil and water, then enter the human body and begin to lay eggs there. Subsequently, the worm's eggs enter the external environment together with excrement and wait in the wings to infect a new person. Eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, dirty hands and dust on food can lead a person to contract geohelminth infection. Some parasite eggs enter the human body through the skin of the feet and ankles;
• through direct contact.Worms in pets and humans are transmitted through manual contact, games and joint activities.
• through the consumption of contaminated food of animal origin - biohelminthiasis. The consumption of raw and lightly processed meat (skewers, lard, preserved meat, homemade game) and fish (sushi, dried fish, preserved fish) is potentially dangerous. There is the possibility of infection with intestinal infections and biohelminths;
• for insect bites. This type of infection is quite rare. These include intestinal myiasis, canthariasis, and scoleciasis. Do not confuse the eggs of parasites and the larvae of insects, which also settle under the skin of animals and under the skin of people (for example, horsefly larvae).

Symptoms of worms

To understand how to remove worms from a person, you need to know the symptoms that each type of tapeworm manifests. Depending on the location of the dislocation, helminth infestations can be:

• light.Cavity types of worms inhabit the area of the small and large intestine. For example, the area inhabited by roundworms and tapeworms is the small intestine. Pinworms live in the lower part of the small intestine, whipworms live in the large intestine;
• muscle (cellular).They live in muscle cells, lung tissue, brain cells, liver, lymph nodes and eyes. Some worms are luminal and cellular, because in the initial stages they migrate with the blood circulation and populate the organs indicated above.

Symptoms of worms in an adult can be different. As mentioned above, they are often easily confused with signs of other diseases. In some cases, everything happens according to the classic scenario of a massive infection. In this case, the signs of worms in an adult and a child will be similar, most likely, in children, more pronounced.

Obvious symptoms of worm infection: itching in the anus, especially at night; sudden loss or, conversely, weight gain; anemia, manifested externally by paleness of the skin; I look tired and haggard.

If you or your children begin to experience such phenomena, you should definitely visit a doctor and insist on undergoing a test for the presence of parasite eggs in your feces. Of course, it may not be their fault. Symptoms of helminth infestation are not always responsible for poor health, but communication with a doctor will still be useful, because disorders in the body are noticeable.

Symptoms of worms in humans, first signs

The first signs of worms in humans are always absent; the symptoms of parasitic infestation only appear when a large number of worms (pinworms, roundworms) are present or when the tapeworm reaches large dimensions, for example. The clinical picture of helminthiasis often mimics gastrointestinal pathology.

However, in addition to those characteristic of gastrointestinal lesions, there are signs that indicate dysfunction of other organs.

Symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in the body:

• lack of appetite or, conversely, gluttony, bitterness in the mouth and excessive salivation;
• a strong desire to eat sweets (worms feed on carbohydrates);
• nausea, vomiting - sometimes worms crawl into the stomach or their parts (segments) are found in vomit;
• itching of the anus and grinding of the teeth during sleep often indicate enterobiasis;
• unstable stools - always cause intestinal dysbiosis, helminthiasis is manifested by frequent changes in diarrhea and constipation; with significant infestation, worms may be excreted in the feces;
• flatulence: bloating and rumbling in the stomach are caused by toxins produced by worms;
• periodic abdominal pain - widespread, often localized in the navel area, the pain is sometimes spastic in nature;
• skin manifestations - sudden allergic rashes and purulent formations (acne, boils), caused by a decrease in local immunity and the removal of toxins through the skin, often occur in severe form, at the same time there is weakness of the nails and excessive hair loss;
• irritable bowel syndrome - reduced absorption of nutrients leads to the development of anemia and weight loss, especially with numerous helminthic colonies;
• cough is a dry symptom that occurs in the pulmonary stage of helminthiasis (Ascaris larvae enter the lungs with blood); a severe infestation can cause pneumonia;
• obesity - oddly enough, it can also be triggered by intestinal parasites which, when feeding on carbohydrates, cause a sharp drop in blood sugar and force you to consume more food, and the body stores reserve fats;
• nervous system symptoms: increased irritability, poor sleep or drowsiness, constant depression, decreased attention and memory problems are especially pronounced in children suffering from helminthiasis;
• chronic fatigue syndrome - parasites often cause constant weakness, prolonged increases in temperature up to 37-37, 5 C, flu-like conditions and muscle pain;
• pathology of the upper respiratory tract - sluggish runny nose, incurable cough, even pneumonia and asthmatic conditions are often caused by the presence of helminths;
• decreased immunity: associated helminthiasis, intestinal dysbiosis and chronic intoxication lead to frequent colds and pathologies that are indicators of immunodeficiency (herpes, warts, etc. ), including oncopathology.

The effect of helminthiasis on the nervous system deserves special attention. Any type of parasite produces products during its life that are perceived by the body as foreign substances. Their toxic effect first affects the nervous system, causing irritability, depressive states and other disturbances of emotional stability.

Flat parasites in humans. Symptoms

Fluke

The fluke is found in the liver tubules. Causes cancer of the digestive organs. You can get the infection by eating raw, lightly salted fish products. Symptoms of worms in an adult: increased body temperature; attacks of vomiting; dyspepsia; pain in the spleen, liver; allergy. The person periodically feels dizzy and sleep is disturbed; migraines are observed; becomes irritable; mood changes often. Treatment of helminthiasis is carried out in hospital.

Schistosoma

Schistosome infection routes include swimming in recharge ponds and drinking dirty water. Parasite in the small veins of the large intestine, abdominal cavity, small pelvis, uterus, bladder. It can be located in the brain.

Symptoms of worm infection include loss of appetite; disruption of the digestive system; pale skin; abdominal pain; dyspepsia; intestinal and uterine bleeding, weight loss, intestinal obstruction. In women it causes menstrual irregularities; spontaneous abortions due to the presence of worms have been recorded during pregnancy.

Men develop impotence; sperm quality decreases (infertility). Children suffer from delayed growth and mental development. When brain cells are damaged, consciousness is impaired and paralysis and seizures may develop. These conditions can cause death

Comparison

Paragonom - lung fluke: what causes worms in humans: from consumption of freshwater crabs, fish, pork. The worm affects the bronchial organs and lungs. Signs of worms in adults: increased temperature; the person begins to cough, and for a long time.

When you cough, sputum is produced. Migraine is observed; shortness of breath appears in the absence of movement; reduced visual acuity; vomiting attacks.

Echinococcus

Echinococcus is a very dangerous tapeworm. It can cause death. He lives for a long time next to a person and is capable of not expressing himself. The route of contagion occurs through pets, often dogs. A person becomes infected without following hygiene rules.

Echinococcus causes the development of cysts in human organs. Treatment of worms in adults is carried out only surgically. It often affects the digestive system, respiratory system, brain, bone tissue. Symptoms in adults depend on the organ affected.

Liver: pain in this area, of various kinds, heaviness, fatigue, skin allergies, jaundice. Lungs: sternum pain, coughing fits, shortness of breath. Brain: migraine, dizziness, paralysis, mental disorders, epilepsy. Bones: muscles, painful joints; frequent fractures are observed.

Broad tapeworm

Broad tapeworm is one of the largest parasites. It lives in the small intestine. The route of infection is the consumption of lightly salted caviar, fish that has not undergone adequate heat treatment.

Worms in the human body are characterized by frequent attacks of vomiting; pain in the abdominal area; dyspepsia; lack of appetite; fatigue; anemia; decreased blood pressure; migraine. Furthermore, sometimes the pain is so strong that it leads to fainting.

Bull tapeworm

Bovine tapeworm: Route of entry is contaminated beef. Helminth infestation colonizes the small intestine. How to understand that an infection has occurred? Signs of worms in humans: stomach pain; severe nausea; excessive increase in appetite; weight loss; rumbling in the stomach; flatulence; increased stool frequency.

Pork tapeworm

Pork tapeworms live in several organs. The routes of infection are lack of hygiene, unwashed fruits. It is possible to determine that a person has worms by dizziness, prolonged and regular migraines. The person sleeps poorly, often wakes up in "cold sweats" due to nightmares and therefore becomes irritable over time. Appetite is interrupted and belching appears.

Dwarf tapeworm

The dwarf tapeworm reaches humans through the oral cavity with dirty fruits and vegetables. It lives in the small intestine area. Symptoms: fever, nausea, salivation, belching, heartburn, rhinitis, dry mucous membranes.

Nematodes in humans. Symptoms

Ascaris

Ascaris: You can get the infection after eating unwashed fruits and vegetables. Tapeworms live in the small intestine. Signs of the appearance of worms in a person: the anus itches, the person feels the movement of worms, which causes incredible discomfort. Your temperature may rise, your lymph nodes may swell, and you may experience a headache in the evening. The liver enlarges, allergic manifestations are visible (urticaria in the area of the feet and hands, dermatosis). Due to damage to the central nervous system, mental disorders occur: depression, convulsions, attacks of aggression, night terrors. The functioning of digestion is disrupted.

Pinworms

pinworms: this parasite starts from dirty hands. It lives in the small and large intestines of humans. The source of infection is sick people and non-compliance with hygiene rules.

The first signs of worms: the anal area itches (worse at night); I have a stomach ache; be sick; sleep is disturbed. The person is restless and irritable; gets tired quickly.

Some people develop urinary incontinence in this setting; allergic manifestations. Girls with worms experience heavy vaginal discharge.

Trichinella

Trichinella is a dangerous helminth infestation. Symptoms do not always appear immediately. Routes of infection: consumption of pork, vegetation near pastures. Helminth infestation affects all systems and organs without exception.

The following symptoms cause worms in humans: loss of appetite; people are constantly nauseous, and a gag reflex periodically occurs. The stool is disturbed and pain is felt in the abdomen. A distinctive feature is swelling of the face. Muscle pain; rashes appear on the skin; temperature increase.

Hookworms

Hookworms are dangerous worms in adults. Symptoms may be severe or absent. The gastrointestinal tract (small intestine, duodenum) is affected. Routes of infection: contact with the soil where the larvae are present; through the mouth with vegetables and herbs contaminated from the soil.

Signs of worms: itchy skin allergies; coughing attacks (streaks of blood are visible in the sputum); increased body temperature, migraine. People feel dizzy and weak; pain and bone pain (as with ARVI). I suffer from hunger pangs.

After eating a person feels nausea and may vomit. Almost always after eating the stomach swells and the stomach hurts. After eating, diarrhea appears two hours later. Many, on the contrary, suffer from constipation due to reduced intestinal motility caused by worms. A person becomes drowsy, and fatigue appears even in the absence of physical activity.

Is it worth taking anti-worm tablets for prevention?

If one of the family members has pinworms, preventive treatment is always carried out for the entire family.

Indications for the prophylactic use of drugs against helminths:

• presence of pets;
• constant contact with the ground (playing in the sand, villagers);
• whether children live permanently in closed children's groups;
• regular trips to exotic countries;
• Hobbies: fishing, hunting, beach volleyball, football.