Worms in the human body

Maybe everyone knows what worms are and where they come from.But not everyone can answer what worms are, and most importantly, what damage they can cause to the human body.

Characteristics and types of helminthiasis

Helminth infections are a group of human diseases caused by the ingestion of worms of parasitic origin, namely helminths that are parasites of a person's internal organs, affecting tissues and disrupting their normal function.

Parasites can settle in almost any organ: intestines, lungs, gall bladder, liver and even brain.The name of Helminthiasis, the course, consequences and symptoms depend on the type of parasite that causes the disease.

But there are several common types of Helminthiasis:

1. Get in touch.Transmission occurs directly from an infected person through contact.The most common are hymenolepidosis, which is caused by dwarf tapeworms, and enterobiasis, which is caused by pinworms.Parasites crawl out of the rectum and lay eggs on a person's skin.Further distribution takes place through food and household goods.The main cause of infection by Contact Helminthiasis is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, as well as improper product processing and non-compliance with storage rules.
2. Geohelminthiases.Characteristically, there is no need for an intermediate host;Parasitic worms complete their life cycle in one organism.The eggs and larvae of the parasite can only live in the external environment, most often in the soil.Very rare species can grow indoors, most only in soil or water.Children who often play with the soil, and workers in fields and pastures are most susceptible to geohelminthiases.Human infection occurs by eating unwashed vegetables and fruits and untreated drinking water.It is possible for helminths to enter through ingestion of dust or through the skin.

3. Biohelminthiasis.For the development of helminths, the participation of intermediate hosts, most often invertebrates, is necessary.Basically, the transmission of biohelminthiases occurs through blood-sucking insects.This type of parasite lives in the blood of the final host, enters the body of the insect through a bite, then develops in it and through the same bite reaches other people.But it is also possible to release eggs and larvae into the external environment, as with geohelminthiases.Each type of helminth requires its own specific type of intermediate host.

Symptoms and Causes of Helminthiases

The clinical symptoms of Helminthiasis directly depend on the type of parasite in the human body and its habitat.Depending on the affected organ, various manifestations of the disease occur, which often interfere with accurate diagnosis.

Helminthiasis goes through acute and chronic stages of development.The acute stage lasts no more than 8 weeks, but the chronic stage can last for years.The acute stage is distinguished by the same symptoms for all types of Helminthiasis, because after the appearance of a foreign object in the human body, an immediate reaction of the immune system follows.

For the chronic stage, the symptoms become more specific for each particular disease and cannot be said.It all depends on the affected organ, for example, when the parasite is localized in the intestine, stomach pain and problems with stool are typical.

Symptoms of Helminthiasis:

1. Increased body temperature.
2. Excessive sweating and swelling.
3. Muscle pain and joint pain.
4. Diarrhea or, conversely, frequent constipation.
5. Dehydration, frequent vomiting.
6. Enlarged liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bloating.

7. Rash on human skin.
8. Increased leukocyte levels.
9. Iron deficiency anemia.
10. Itchy skin and anus.
11. Nervous system disorders, apathy, irritability, depression.
12. The presence of bloody discharge in the stool or when urinating.
13. Pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis, intestinal obstruction.

Some types of Helminthiases are characterized by asymptomatic, latent disease.This is dangerous because, due to severe damage, a person's internal organs can simply burst, and after that the whole body is inevitably infected with parasites and, as a result, severe consequences such as anaphylactic shock or peritonitis.

Special attention should be paid to the manifestation of Helminthiasis in children, because they are at great risk.

They are often confused with other diseases and brought to a critical stage of damage to the body.Children's immunity is not fully formed and does not show obvious signs of damage.

The most common childhood disease is enterobiasis.In second place are various types of roundworms, the most characteristic of children's diseases.It is important to pay attention to the consistency and regularity of stools, the appearance of various skin rashes, and do not ignore complaints of itching in the anal area.

The main causes of Helminthiasis:

1. Eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and berries.It is very important to comply with hygiene and sanitation standards.Carefully process the purchased product;For children, it is advised to use special products to wash fruits and vegetables.Hand washing is mandatory before every meal.
2. Meat and fish products.To avoid infection and serious consequences, high-quality heat treatment is required, as well as certification for the purchased products.Monitor compliance with storage conditions for semi-finished products.It is not acceptable to take fish products bought on the street.
3. Earth and sand.This especially applies to children, because they tend to put everything in their mouths.During the game, do not let your child eat sand in the sandbox or earth in the summer cottage.Anything that falls on the floor or open ground is excluded.

Helminth eggs surround us everywhere, so we should pay special attention to personal hygiene to avoid the possibility of helminthic diseases as much as possible.

Classification of Parasites

Helminths are divided into three classes, depending on their shape and appearance:

• Round smallpox.To date, more than 80 thousand species of helminths of this class have been described.They can cause serious damage to the human body and cause various helminthic diseases.Roundworm development goes through 5 stages, where four are larvae and one is an adult.With each transition, environment or intermediate host changes.The most common representatives:
  • Roundworm - causes a disease called ascariasis.This type of parasite is able to live and feed exclusively in the human body.Roundpox is characterized by coughing, in which larvae are pushed into a person's throat and return to the intestine as mature individuals;
  • Roundworms cause enterobiasis in the human body and intestinal parasites.Once in the host's body, they are characterized by indigestion, itching near the anus, and in some cases genital inflammation, especially in women.
• Tapeworm.There are more than 10 orders of tapeworms that live in the human body.This is the most common class of parasites that cause very dangerous diseases.They go through two larval stages of development and reach the final host as adults.They enter the human body from intermediate hosts, often through the flesh of infected animals.Therefore, to prevent this disease, it is important to monitor the preparation and proper selection of meat products.The most common types of helminths in this class:
  • Tapew worm - causes disease taeniasis, characterized by vomiting, nausea or lack of appetite;
  • Cattle tapeworm is a less dangerous disease, but requires very difficult and long-term treatment;
  • Echinococcus is a type of worm that causes migraines, dizziness, and can even cause epileptic seizures.
• Flatworms (Flukes).What are Helminths Fluke?For the development of this class, the presence of an intermediate host is required.These parasitic worms are the cause of trematodes.The most dangerous varieties of this class:
  • Fluke opisthorchiasis - enters the human body with the flesh of fish, most often carp species, which affects the bile ducts of the liver;
  • Schistosomes - transmitted through water, causing schistosomiasis, a very serious disease with very serious consequences;
  • Paragonim is a pulmonary fluke, the cause of paragonimiasis, infection is only possible by eating crab, crayfish or pork.

All the types of worms listed in humans are only a small part of the variety of parasites that currently exist.According to some data, there are more than 1 million types.

Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiases

Science does not stand still and a large number of methods have been developed and are actively used to identify helminthic diseases.Modern methods make it possible to accurately determine the type of parasites in humans and the degree of tissue damage in their location.

Basic methods for diagnosing Helminthiases:

1. Microhelminthoscopy.Used to detect worm eggs and larvae.These include the Kato, Kalantaryan and Fulleborn methods.Separately, each of these methods does not make it possible to accurately identify all types of parasites.But overall they give good results, especially in relation to the intensity of the spread of parasites living in the body.
2. Macrohelminthoscopy.Most effective in identifying pinworms and roundworms.They help detect parasites in feces through the use of petri dishes and magnifying glasses.
3. Biopsy.If there is a possibility of helminth parasitism in human muscle tissue, then a sample is taken and sent for research.This method allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis.
4. Immunology.They are carried out by examining the patient's blood to detect antibodies to several types of helminths living in the human body.
5. Analysis of bile or duodenal contents.It is used in cases of damage to the liver, gall bladder and duodenum.
6. Instrumental.These include ultrasounds, x-rays, and computer studies.They are used to determine the level of damage caused by worms in the human body.And also to check other internal organs.

Medical methods are used to treat identified diseases.However, it has been established that complex therapy using several drugs is more effective than monotherapy based on one anthelmintic.

Helminth infections are most often treated by prescribing a single dose of tablets with an active ingredient such as levamisole.The dose is selected according to the age of the patient.This helps weaken the parasite.

Then, after 3 days, medicine containing mebendazole or albendazole is taken.This integrated approach accelerates and improves the effectiveness of treatment.

Many times, a person may not know about the worms in his body.In this connection, it is recommended to carry out a preventive course of antihelminthic drugs.This is especially true for preschoolers and pet owners.

Parasites in humans can cause serious damage to internal organs.Timely diagnosis and treatment will help stop the progression of the disease in time and prevent serious consequences.