A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that populate it without asking - and these are worms.No one is happy with such cohabitation, so urgent measures are being taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms, or helminths, are parasitic worms that live off animals and plants, feed and reproduce inside living organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms.It is assumed that there is not a single adult person during whose life not a single worm has settled in his body, says the general practitioner.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures there actually are.
Among all the parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, there are three main groups:
- nematodes related to roundworms: pinworm, whipworm, trichinella, roundworm;
- tapeworms, or flatworms related to cestodes (various types of tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococci);
- fluke parasites, or trematodes, causing opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other ailments.
Causes of worms in humans
The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.It occurs when worm larvae or eggs enter the human body.
This may happen for the following reasons:
- a person does not follow basic hygiene rules: he does not wash his hands after walking down the street, after visiting guests or after using the toilet, and does not rinse them before eating.
- The cause of worms in humans is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers, and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of infection with worms is high if you have pets, especially those walking on the streets.
Even with timely anthelmintic therapy, dogs and cats can spread worm eggs brought from the street on their paws and fur.
- You can become infected with worms if you do not treat vegetables, fruits, berries, and greens that you are going to eat with hot water.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from an unknown source or wash food with it.
- Meat and fish that are not properly processed are a risk of infection.When eating poorly thermally processed beef - bovine tapeworm, pork - pork tapeworm, and lightly salted and raw fish, the wide tapeworm lives.
- You can catch worms in the house if you rarely clean it, wear outdoor shoes, and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if you share dishes, bed linen, or stay in the same room for a long time.
Obviously, most of the causes of worms in humans come down to non-compliance with hygiene rules.Those who take care of themselves, their home and their pets may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of worms in humans
The treatment of worms in a person is carried out by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult, or by a pediatrician if the worms are in a child.
In case of worms, you should not self-medicate in any case: the drugs used in the treatment of helminthiases are quite difficult for the body.
Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the purpose of which is not only to destroy the parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to manage with anthelmintic drugs alone.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a narrow circle easily infect each other.
Along with medications, vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion may be prescribed.For more effective treatment of worms, a person will have to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, they must undergo anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be in vain.
What tablets can be used?
Worms are a rather delicate problem, which pushes many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly insists that certain pills can instantly solve the problem.
However, many do not notice that in any advertisement there is an indication that before use you need to consult a doctor.These are not simple words, we have already said that drugs against worms are very serious and can cause harm if taken uncontrolled.
The following is used to treat worms in humans:
- anthelmintic drugs - they destroy worms;
- antihistamines, which will help if you are allergic to massively dying parasites;
- enterosorbents, which remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid - they will all help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- probiotics.
The frequency of drug intake is determined by an infectious disease doctor, based on the results of an objective examination, complaints, and tests of the patient.
Traditional methods of treatment
As a folk remedy for treating worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins, which destroy worms.However, you should not rely on miraculous healing from worms with the help of pumpkin seeds.
Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts, and enter the pancreatic ducts.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia - a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect helminthiases, you need to make an appointment with a doctor: a general practitioner, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans are:
- malaise, weakness, fatigue;
- 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;
- problems sleeping, insomnia;
- inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
- fever for no reason;
- pain in muscles and joints without exercise;
- snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
- presence of worms in feces;
- itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiases: acute and chronic.The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Most often during this period there is a pronounced allergic reaction to the helminth.
After about two months, the acute phase turns into a chronic phase, and here the symptoms depend on the pathogen that the person picked up and on its habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans
We, as a rule, learn the main rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we just don’t follow them:
- You need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after using the toilet, and after going outside.
- It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits, herbs, and after washing, pour boiling water over them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In everyday life you need to use only high-quality, safe water.
- Each family member must have personal hygiene products and utensils.
- The house should be kept clean and wet cleaning carried out regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventative anthelmintic therapy.