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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 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 parasitize a person's internal organs, affecting tissues and disrupting their normal functioning.

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

But there are some widespread types of helminthiasis:

types of contact parasites in the human body
  1. Contact.Transmission occurs directly from an already infected person through contact.The most common are hymenolepidosis, caused by dwarf tapeworm, and enterobiasis, caused by pinworms.The parasites crawl out of the rectum and lay eggs on a person's skin.Further distribution occurs through food and household items.The main cause of infection with contact helminthiasis is failure to comply with personal hygiene standards, as well as improper processing of products and failure to comply with storage standards.
  2. Geohelminthiasis.Characteristically, there is no need for an intermediate host;Parasitic worms complete their entire life cycle in an organism.Parasite eggs and larvae can only live in the external environment, most often in the soil.Very rare species are able to develop indoors, most only in soil or water.Children who frequently play in the soil and workers on farms and pastures are more susceptible to geohelminthiasis.Human infection occurs through ingestion of unwashed vegetables and fruits and untreated drinking water.It is possible for helminths to enter through ingestion of dust or through the skin.
    3. moth parasites in the human body
  3. Biohelminthiasis.For the development of helminths, the participation of an intermediate host, most often invertebrates, is necessary.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 through a bite, then develop in it and through the same bite reach another person.But it is also possible to release eggs and larvae into the external environment, as happens with geohelminthiasis.Each type of helminth requires its specific type of intermediate host.

Symptoms and causes of helminthiasis

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

parasites extracted from the human body

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

In the chronic phase, symptoms become more specific to each specific disease and cannot be generalized.It all depends on the affected organ, for example, when the parasites are located in the intestine, abdominal pain and stool problems are typical.

Helminthiasis symptoms:

  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. Enlargement of the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, abdominal distension.
    7. itching in the anus as a symptom of the presence of parasites
  7. Rash on human skin.
  8. Increased level of leukocytes.
  9. Iron deficiency anemia.
  10. Itching of the 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 helminthiasis are characterized by a latent, asymptomatic course of the disease.This is dangerous because, due to severe damage, a person's internal organ can simply rupture, after which the entire body will inevitably become infected with parasites and, as a result, serious consequences such as anaphylactic shock or peritonitis.

Special attention should be paid to manifestations of helminthiasis in children, as they pose a higher risk.

They are often confused with other diseases and taken to critical stages of damaging the body.Children's immunity is not yet 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, which are more characteristic of childhood diseases.It is essential to pay attention to the consistency and regularity of feces, the appearance of various skin rashes and not ignore complaints of itching in the anal area.

The main causes of helminthiasis:

eating unwashed fruit as a cause of parasitic infection
  1. Eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and berries.It is very important to comply with hygiene and health standards.Carefully process purchased products;for children, it is advisable to use special products for washing fruits and vegetables.Hand washing is mandatory before each meal.
  2. Meat and fish products.To avoid infections and serious consequences, high-quality heat treatment is necessary, as well as certification of the purchased product.Monitor compliance with storage conditions for prepared semi-finished products.It is unacceptable to consume fish products purchased on the side of the road.
  3. Earth and sand.This especially applies to children, as they tend to put everything in their mouths.During play, do not let your child eat sand in the sandbox or dirt in the summer house.Anything that falls to the ground or open ground is excluded.

Helminth eggs surround us everywhere, so we must pay special attention to personal hygiene to prevent possible helminth 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 harm to the human body and cause various helminthic diseases.The development of roundworms goes through 5 stages, four of which are larval and one adult.With each transition, the intermediate environment or host changes.The most common representatives:Ascaris parasite in the human body
    • roundworm – causes a disease called ascariasis.This type of parasite is capable of living and feeding 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 intestine as already mature individuals;
    • Pinworm worms cause enterobiasis in the human body and parasitize the intestines.Once in 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 causes extremely dangerous diseases.They go through two larval stages of development and reach their final host as adults.They enter the human body from an intermediate host, usually through the flesh of an infected animal.Therefore, to prevent the disease, it is important to monitor the correct preparation and selection of meat products.The most common types of helminths of this class:
    • tapeworm – causes the disease taeniasis, 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 (worms).What are helminth worms?For the development of this class, the presence of an intermediate host is necessary.These parasitic worms are the cause of flukes.The most dangerous varieties of this class:Opisthorchis parasites in the human body
    • worm 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 very serious consequences;
    • paragonim is a lungworm, the cause of paragonimiasis, infection is only possible by ingesting crab, crayfish or pork.

All 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 1 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 in their location.

Basic methods for diagnosing helminthiasis:

  1. Microhelmintoscopic.Used to detect worm eggs and larvae.These include the methods of Kato, Kalantaryan and Fulleborn.Separately, each of these methods does not allow you to accurately identify all types of parasites.But in total they give good results, especially with regard to the intensity of propagation of the parasites that live in the body.
  2. Macrohelmintoscopic.More effective in identifying pinworms and roundworms.They help detect parasites in feces through the use of a Petri dish and a magnifying glass.
  3. Biopsy.If there is a possibility of helminthic parasitism in human muscle tissue, a sample is taken and sent for research.This method allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis.
  4. Immunological.They are carried out by examining the patient's blood for antibodies against certain types of helminths that live in the human body.
  5. Analysis of bile or duodenal contents.It is used in cases of lesions in the liver, gallbladder and duodenum.
  6. Instrumental.This includes ultrasound, x-rays and computer studies.They are used to determine the degree of damage caused by worms to the human body.And also to check other internal organs.

Medicinal methods are used to treat identified diseases.However, it has been established that complex therapy with several drugs is 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 selected depending on the patient's age.This helps weaken the parasites.

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 be aware of the existence of worms in their body.In this context, it is recommended to take preventive courses of anthelmintic medications.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.