Worm infestation - infection of the human body with parasitic worms - worms (helminths). Symptoms of helminthic invasion are determined by the mode of infection, the number of parasites received, the degree of their adaptability in the human body and other features.
The first signs of the disease in adults can appear both 2-3 days after infection and after a year and a half, but the incubation period is usually 2-3 weeks.
Helminths do not tend to multiply in the human body (except for pinworms and a few other worms)
Ways of infection:
- contact housekeeping;
- food;
- transmissible;
- percutaneous.
The source of infection is a sick person or a carrier.
Classification of helminths
In adults, parasitism of more than two hundred varieties of helminths has been recorded, which, according to their structural features, mainly belong to two types of worms:
- Roundworms are nematodes that cause diseases such as ascariasis, enterobiosis, trichuriasis, trichinosis, dracunculiasis, filariasis, toxocariasis.
- Flatworms subdivided into:
- a class of tapeworms that cause teniarinhoz, teniasis, cysticercosis, diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, echinococcosis;
- a class of flukes that cause schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, dicrocelia.
Depending on the characteristics of the life cycle and transmission factors, three main types of helminths are distinguished: soil-transmitted helminths, biohelminths, contact helminths.
The influence of parasites on the human body
The vast majority of worms live in the intestines of adults, however, some types of parasitic worms in 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 enter the blood and are transported by it to different organs. In addition, helminths from the human intestine absorb substances necessary for life (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, enzymes and others), leading to malfunctions in the physiological systems of the body.
During pregnancy, helminthic invasions are doubly dangerous: the detrimental effect affects not only the condition of the mother, but also the maturation of the embryo.
Worm infestation can complicate the development of pregnancy. As a result of an infection in a woman's body, the absorption of nutrients is reduced, which is highly undesirable during gestation.
Also, helminths during pregnancy can cause severe toxicosis. Pinworms can penetrate a woman's genitals. This leads to severe itching and, as a result, constant discomfort and sleep disturbances.
Some helminths can damage the intestinal wall. As a result, small but long-term blood loss is possible. This results in the formation of iron deficiency anemia in a pregnant woman.
Helminths are able to penetrate the placental barrier and parasitize the trunk and body of the fetus. In addition, they can enter the brain and lead to an increase in the size of the head, which complicates the course of childbirth.
Their presence in the lungs is also dangerous - subsequently the child will develop his chronic inflammation.
Clinical
Distinguish the acute stage of helminthic invasion, which is characterized by a more pronounced clinic, and the chronic stage, which can last for several years and manifest itself with faded symptoms.
The most common symptoms of helminthic invasion:
- The appearance of malfunctions of the digestive system, namely:
- constipation (due to blockage of the intestinal lumen, bile ducts with worms);
- loose stools (due to the influence of substances produced by helminths);
- excessive gas formation (due to indigestion).
- Joint and muscle pain - appear when the parasites enter the joint fluid and muscles.
- Skin symptoms (rash, eczema, itching, acne) caused by the influence of toxic substances produced by helminths.
- Nervous system disorders, expressed:
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- desire;
- sleeping disorder, etc. . .
- Weight loss associated with metabolic disorders.
- Catarrhal symptoms of the respiratory tract (runny nose, cough), resulting from the penetration of helminths into them.
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.
Diagnostic
Usually, to detect an invasion of helminths in adults, a fecal analysis or scraping of the folds around the anus is performed. Worm eggs are examined under a microscope and their appearance is determined.
However, this analysis does not always identify helminths. The most specific for helminthic invasion is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to various types of worms. In a general blood test, 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 to analyze feces. For a more reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound, blood test and analysis of amniotic fluid.
Therapy
When signs of helminthic invasion are detected and the diagnosis is verified using blood and fecal tests, treatment is carried out taking into account the type of parasite. For this, the doctor prescribes specific anthelmintic drugs. Most often, these drugs do not enter the bloodstream, exerting an effect exclusively inside the intestines. For this reason, the possibility of toxic effects on the body is minimal.
In some situations, one use of the drug is enough to get rid of worms, in others, a longer treatment is required, built according to an individual scheme by a specialist.
This is a prerequisite for the disease not to take a chronic course. The main task of repeated treatment is the destruction of parasites that have entered the human body in the form of eggs and have not yet completed their development cycle. After a while, they will turn into adults and be destroyed under the influence of drugs.
Usually, to get a good result, the whole family should be treated under the control of blood and stool tests.
Pathogenetic therapy includes anti-allergic drugs, drugs to normalize the intestinal flora.
At the same time, concomitant diseases are treated, often developed as a complication of helminthiasis (anemia, hypovitaminosis, malnutrition).
During pregnancy, in addition to the antihelminthic effect of the drug, its possible effect on the fetus is taken into account.
As a rule, in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the laying of the main organs and systems of the embryo is at the stage of formation, it is better to avoid such treatment. During this period, any drug can do far more harm to the fetus than the likely risk of worm exposure.
At this time, you can try to get rid of parasites using non-drug means.
Many recipes are known that can supplement the basic treatment, and sometimes completely replace drug therapy. The most proven means of helminths are:
- pumpkin seeds;
- onion;
- Garlic;
- pomegranate juice;
- infusions of tansy and wormwood.
In the second and third trimesters, the likelihood of a negative effect of drugs on the fetus and its bearing decreases.
After the end of treatment, it is necessary to reanalyze the worms - scraping. This is done in order to ensure that the prescribed treatment is correct and that all worms are destroyed.
It should be remembered that the treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. Repeat analysis is carried out no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of treatment. It is possible to consider the course of therapy supplemented by 3 negative tests with an interval of 2 weeks.
Prevention
Helminthiasis prevention measures:
- observance of personal hygiene measures (wash hands before eating,
- personal hygiene products, individual underwear and bed linen);
- mandatory washing of vegetables, fruits, greens with water before eating;
- full heat treatment of meat, fish;
- fight against blood-sucking insects;
- regular wet cleaning inside;
- comprehensive pet care;
- regular replacement of underwear and bed linen, with their mandatory ironing;
- exclusion of swimming in water bodies with a high probability of infection with helminths.
When planning a pregnancy, you should be examined for helminths. If they are present, it is necessary to undergo treatment before pregnancy, so as not to harm the child's body.
Timely and comprehensive treatment of the acute form of helminthiasis is the prevention of the chronic course of the disease.