Worm attacks - infections on the human body with parasitic worms - worms (helminths). Symptoms of helminthic invasion are determined by the mode of infection, the number of parasites received, their degree of adaptability in the human body, and other characteristics.
The first signs of the disease in adults can appear both 2-3 days after infection, and after one and a half years, but usually the incubation period is 2-3 weeks.
Helminths do not tend to reproduce in the human body (except for cream worms and some other worms)
Ways of infection:
- contact the household;
- food;
- can be transmitted;
- percutaneous.
The source of infection is the sick person or carrier.
Classification of helminths
In adults, parasitism of more than two hundred types of helminths has been registered, which, according to their structural features, mostly belong to two types of worms:
- Roundworms are nematodes that cause diseases such as ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichuriasis, trichinosis, dracunculiasis, filariasis, toxocariasis.
- Flatworms are divided into:
- class of tapeworms that cause teniarinhoz, teniasis, cysticercosis, diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, echinococcosis;
- class of flukes that cause schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, dicroceliasis.
Depending on life cycle characteristics and transmission factors, three main types of helminths are distinguished: geohelminths, biohelminths, contact helminths.
The effect of parasites on the human body
Most worms live in the intestines of adults, however, some types of parasitic worms at the larval stage mature in the tissues of other organs (liver, brain, heart, lungs, eyes, etc. ). In the process of vital activity of helminths, toxic substances are formed that penetrate the bloodstream and are carried by it to different organs. In addition, helminths in the human intestine absorb substances necessary for life (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, enzymes, etc. ), which leads to damage in the physiological systems of the body.
During pregnancy, helminthic invasion is doubly dangerous: adverse effects are reflected not only on the condition of the mother, but also on embryonic maturation.
Worm attacks can complicate the development of pregnancy. As a result of infection in a woman’s body, the absorption of nutrients is reduced, which is highly undesirable during pregnancy.
In addition, helminths during pregnancy can cause severe toxicosis. Cream worms can penetrate a woman's genitals. This leads to severe itching and, consequently, constant discomfort and sleep disturbances.
There are helminths that can damage the intestinal wall. As a result, small but long -term blood loss is possible. This is fraught with the formation of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.
Helminths are able to penetrate the placental barrier and become parasites on the stem and in the fetal body. Moreover, they can get into the brain and lead to an increase in head size, which complicates the birthing journey.
Their presence in the lungs is also dangerous-in turn, the child will experience their chronic inflammation.
Clinic
Distinguish between the acute stage of helminthic invasion, which is characterized by more clinically pronounced, and the chronic, which can last several years and manifest itself as an extinguished symptom.
The most common symptoms of helminthic invasion:
- The appearance of damage in the digestive system, namely:
- constipation (caused by blockage of the intestinal lumen, bile ducts with worms);
- loose feces (due to the influence of substances produced by helminths);
- excessive gas formation (due to indigestion).
- Joint and muscle pain - arises when parasites penetrate the fluid and muscles of the joints.
- Skin symptoms (rash, eczema, itching, acne) caused by the influence of toxic substances produced by helminths.
- Nervous system disorders, expressed:
- anxiety;
- irritable;
- rindu;
- sleep disorders, etc.
- Weight loss associated with metabolic disorders.
- Catarrhal symptoms of the respiratory tract (runny nose, cough), arise from the penetration of helminths into it.
Indirect signs of helminthic invasion:
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increased body temperature;
- fatigue, asthenia;
- nausea (possibly during pregnancy, as a manifestation of toxicosis);
- Headache;
- anemia (due to blood loss);
- itching in the perineum.
Diagnostics
Typically, to detect helminthic invasion in adults, fecal analysis or scraping of the folds around the anus is performed. Worm eggs are examined microscopically and their appearance is determined.
However, this analysis does not always help identify helminths. The most specific for helminthic invasion is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to various types of worms in it. In general blood tests, when the body is infected with helminths, an increase in the content of eosinophils and leukocytes is detected.
To identify worms during pregnancy, it may not be enough just to analyze the stool. For a more reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct ultrasound scans, blood tests and analysis of amniotic fluid.
Therapy
When signs of helminthic invasion are detected and the diagnosis is confirmed using blood and stool tests, treatment is carried out taking into account the type of parasite. For this, the doctor prescribes certain anthelmintic drugs. Often, these drugs do not enter the bloodstream, having an effect exclusively in the intestine. Because of this, the possibility of toxic effects on the body is minimal.
In some cases, a single use of the drug is enough to get rid of the worms, in other cases, a longer treatment is required, constructed according to an individual scheme by a specialist.
This is a prerequisite so that the disease does not take a chronic course. The main task of repeated treatment courses is the destruction of parasites that have entered the human body in the form of eggs and have not yet completed their developmental life cycle. After a while, they will turn into adults and will be destroyed under the influence of drugs.
Usually, to achieve good results, the whole family should be treated under the control of blood and stool tests.
Pathogenetic therapies include anti-allergy drugs, drugs to normalize the intestinal flora.
At the same time, the corresponding disease is treated, often developing as a complication of helminthiases (anemia, hypovitaminosis, malnutrition).
During pregnancy, in addition to the antihelminthic effect of the drug, the possibility of its effect on the fetus is taken into account.
As a rule, in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the placement of major organs and systems of the embryo is in the stage of formation, it is better to avoid such treatment. During this period, any medication can do more harm to the fetus than the possible risk of exposure to worms.
At this stage, you can try to get rid of parasites with the help of non -medicinal means.
Many recipes are known that can supplement basic treatment, and sometimes completely replace drug therapy. The most proven ways for helminths are:
- pumpkin seeds;
- garlic;
- garlic;
- pomegranate juice;
- infusion of tansy and wormwood.
In the second and third trimesters, the likelihood of negative effects of the drug on the fetus and its bearing is reduced.
After completion of the course of therapy, it is necessary to re -analyze for worms - scraping. This is done to ensure that the prescribed treatment is correct and all worms are destroyed.
Keep in mind that therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. Repeated analyzes were taken no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of the course of treatment. It is possible to consider a completed course of therapy with 3 negative tests with an interval of 2 weeks.
prevention
Steps to prevent helminthiases:
- adherence to personal hygiene measures (washing hands before eating, using individual
- personal hygiene products, individual underwear and bed linen);
- mandatory washing with water of vegetables, fruits, vegetables before eating;
- full heat treatment of meat, fish;
- against blood -sucking insects;
- regular wet cleaning in the house;
- full care for pets;
- regular replacement of underwear and bed linen, with mandatory ironing;
- exception swimming in bodies of water with a high probability of infection with helminths.
When planning a pregnancy, you should be checked for helminths. If they are present, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment before pregnancy, so as not to harm the child's body.
Timely and complete treatment of acute forms of helminthiasis is the prevention of chronic diseases.