Worms in the human body

Probably everyone knows what worms are and where they come from.But not everyone can tell what worms are and, most importantly, what harm they can cause to the human body.

Characteristics and types of helminthiasis

Helminths 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: the intestines, lungs, gallbladder, liver and even the brain.The name of helminthiasis, its course, consequences and symptoms depend on the type of parasite causing 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 the dwarf tapeworm, and enterobiasis, caused by pinworms.The parasites emerge from the rectum and lay their eggs on a person's skin.Further distribution is in the form of food and household items.The main cause of infection with contact helminthiasis is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, as well as improper processing of products and non-compliance with storage rules.
2. Geohelminthiasis.Typically, there is no need for an intermediate host;parasitic worms complete their entire life cycle in a single organism.The eggs and larvae of parasites can only live in the external environment, most often in the soil.Very rare species are capable of growing indoors, most only in soil or water.Children who often play with the soil and workers on farms and pastures are most susceptible to soil-transmitted helminthiasis.Human infection occurs through 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 an intermediate host, most often invertebrates, is necessary.Basically, the transmission of biohelminthiases occurs via blood-sucking insects.These types of parasites live in the blood of the final host, enter the insect's body through a bite, then grow there and reach another person through the same bite.But it is also possible to release eggs and larvae into the external environment, as in the case of soil-transmitted helminthiasis.Each type 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 present in the human body and their habitat.Depending on the affected organ, various manifestations of the disease occur, which often interfere with an accurate diagnosis.

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 stage is distinguished 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.

In the chronic stage, symptoms become more specific to each specific disease and cannot be generalized.It all depends on the organ affected, for example when the 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. Aching muscle 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 level.
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 stools or when urinating.
13. Pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis, intestinal obstruction.

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

Particular attention should be paid to the manifestations of helminthiasis in children, since they are most at risk.

They are often confused with other diseases and brought to critical stages of bodily harm.Children's immunity is not yet fully formed and does not show any obvious signs of damage.

The most common childhood illness is enterobiasis.In second place are various types of roundworms, which are most characteristic of childhood diseases.It is imperative to pay attention to the consistency and regularity of stools, the appearance of various rashes and not ignore complaints of itching in the anal area.

The main causes of helminthiasis:

1. Eating unwashed vegetables, fruits and berries.It is very important to respect hygiene and health standards.Treat purchased products carefully;For children, it is advisable to use special products to wash fruits and vegetables.Hand washing is mandatory before each meal.
2. Meat and fish products.To avoid infection and serious consequences, high-quality heat treatment is required, as well as certification of the purchased product.Control compliance with storage conditions of prepared semi-finished products.It is unacceptable to consume fish products purchased on the side of the road.
3. Earth and sand.This mainly applies to children, as they tend to put everything in their mouth.During games, do not let your child eat sand from the sandbox or dirt from the summer cottage.Anything that falls to the ground or into the ground is excluded.

Helminth eggs surround us everywhere, so we need to 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 80,000 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, including four larvae and one adult.At each transition, the environment or the intermediate host changes.The most common representatives:
  • 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 intestines in the form of already mature individuals;
  • Pinworms 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 stages of larval development and reach the final host as adults.They enter the human body from an intermediate host, most often through the meat 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 a seizure.
• Flatworms (flukes).What are fluke helminths?For the development of this class, the presence of an intermediate host is required.These parasitic worms are the origin of trematodes.The most dangerous varieties of this class:
  • opisthorchiasis fluke - enters the human body with fish meat, most often carp species, affecting the bile ducts of the liver;
  • schistosome - transmitted by water, causing schistosomiasis, a very serious disease with extremely serious consequences;
  • paragonim is a pulmonary fluke, responsible for paragonimiasis, infection is only possible by eating crabs, crayfish or pork.

All types of worms listed in humans represent 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 in their location.

Basic methods for diagnosing helminthiasis:

1. Microhelminthoscopic.Used to detect worm eggs and larvae.These include the methods of Kato, Kalantaryan and Fulleborn.Furthermore, each of these methods does not accurately identify all types of parasites.But overall, they give good results, especially with regard to the intensity of the spread of parasites living in the body.
2. Macrohelminthoscopic.Very effective in identifying pinworms and roundworms.They help detect parasites in stool through the use of a petri dish and 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 to certain 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, gallbladder 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 to check other internal organs.

Medicinal 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 a single anthelmintic.

Helminth infections are most often treated by prescribing a single dose of a tablet containing an active ingredient such as levamisole.The dosage is chosen depending on the age of the patient.This helps weaken the parasites.

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

Very often a person does not even know about the presence of worms in his body.In this regard, it is recommended to undergo preventive treatment with 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.