Worms in the human body

Probably everyone knows what worms are and where they come from.But not everyone can answer what worms are, and most importantly, what harm they can do 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, that is, helminths that parasitize the internal organs of a person, affecting tissues and disrupting their normal function.

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

But there are some generalized types of helminthiasis:

1. Contact.Transmission occurs directly from an already infected person through contact.The most common are hymenolepidosis caused by dwarf worms and enterobiosis caused by pinworms.Parasites crawl out of the rectum and lay eggs on the person's skin.Further distribution takes place through food and household goods.The main cause of infection with contact helminthosis is non-observance of personal hygiene rules, as well as improper processing of products and non-observance of storage rules.
2. Geohelminthiases.It is characteristic that 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.The most susceptible to geohelminthiasis are children who often play with the soil, and workers on farms and pastures.Human infection occurs through consumption of unwashed vegetables and fruits and untreated drinking water.It is possible for helminths to enter by swallowing dust or through the skin.

3. Biohelminthiasis.The development of helminths requires the participation of an intermediate host, usually an invertebrate.Basically, the transmission of biohelminthiasis occurs through blood-sucking insects.These types of parasites live in the blood of the final host, enter the insect's body with a bite, then develop in it and reach another person with the same bite.But it is also possible to expel eggs and larvae into the external environment, as in geohelminthiasis.Each species of helminth requires its own specific type of intermediate host.

Symptoms and causes of helminthiasis

Clinical symptoms of helminthiasis directly depend on the type of parasites in the human body and their habitat.Depending on the affected organ, various manifestations of the disease occur, which often hinder the establishment of an accurate diagnosis.

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

For the chronic phase, the symptoms become more specific to each specific disease and cannot be generalized.Everything depends on the affected organ, for example, when parasites are localized in the intestines, abdominal pain and stool problems are typical.

Symptoms of helminthiasis:

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

7. Rash on human skin.
8. Elevated level of leukocytes.
9. Iron deficiency anemia.
10. Itching of skin and anus.
11. Nervous system disorders, apathy, irritability, depression.
12. The presence of bloody discharge in the stool or during urination.
13. Pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis, intestinal obstruction.

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

Special attention should be paid to manifestations of helminthiasis in children, because they are at the greatest risk.

They are often mixed with other diseases and lead to critical stages of damage to the body.Children's immunity is not yet fully formed and does not show obvious signs of damage.

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

The main causes of helminthiasis:

1. Eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and berries.It is very important to adhere to hygienic and sanitary standards.Carefully process purchased products;for children, it is recommended to use special products for washing fruits and vegetables.Hand washing is mandatory before every meal.
2. Meat and fish products.In order to avoid infections and serious consequences, high-quality heat treatment is required, as well as a certificate for the purchased product.Monitor compliance with storage conditions of prepared semi-finished products.It is unacceptable to consume fish products bought on the street.
3. Earth and sand.This primarily applies to children, because they tend to put everything in their mouths.During the games, do not allow the child to eat the sand in the sandbox or the soil in the summer house.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 in order to prevent possible helminthic diseases as much as possible.

Classification of parasites

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

• Roundworms.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.The development of roundworms goes through 5 stages, of which four are larvae and one is an adult.With each transition, the environment or intermediate host changes.The most common representatives:
  • roundworms – cause a disease called ascariasis.This type of parasite can live and feed exclusively in the human body.Roundworms are characterized by coughing, in which the larvae are pushed into a person's throat and returned to the intestines as mature individuals;
  • Pinworms cause enterobiosis in the human body and parasitize the intestines.When they enter the host's body, they are characterized by indigestion, itching near the anus, and in some cases, inflammation of the genitals, especially in women.
• Tapeworms.There are more than 10 orders of tapeworms that live in the human body.This is the most common class of parasites that cause extremely dangerous diseases.They pass through two larval stages of development and reach the final host as an adult.They enter the human body from an intermediate host, most often through the meat of infected animals.Therefore, it is important to follow the correct preparation and selection of meat products for disease prevention.The most common types of helminths of this class:
  • tapeworm - causes the disease taeniasis, which is characterized by frequent vomiting, nausea or lack of appetite;
  • bovine 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 fluke helminths?The development of this class requires the presence of an intermediate host.These parasitic worms are the causative agents of trematodes.The most dangerous varieties of this class:
  • fluke opisthorchiasis - enters the human body with fish meat, most often carp species, affecting the bile ducts of the liver;
  • schistosomes - transmitted by water, causing schistosomiasis, a very serious disease with extremely serious consequences;
  • paragonimus is a lung fluke, the causative agent of paragonimiosis, infection is possible only by eating crabs, crabs or pork.

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

Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis

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

Basic methods for diagnosing helminthiasis:

1. Microhelminthoscopy.It is used to detect worm eggs and larvae.These include the methods of Kato, Kalantaryan and Fulleborn.Separately, each of these methods does not allow precise identification of all types of parasites.But overall they give good results, especially in terms of 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 using a petri dish and a magnifying glass.
3. Biopsy.If there is a possibility of helminth parasitization in human muscle tissue, then a sample is taken and sent for research.This method allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis.
4. Immunological.They are performed by examining the patient's blood to detect antibodies to certain types of helminths that live 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 degree of damage caused by worms in the human body.And also for checking other internal organs.

Medical methods are used to treat identified diseases.However, complex therapy using multiple drugs has been found to be more effective than monotherapy based on a single anthelmintic.

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

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

Often a person may not even know about worms in their body.In this regard, it is recommended to carry out preventive courses of anthelmintic 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 development of these diseases in time and prevent serious consequences.