A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that inhabit it without asking - and these are worms.No one is happy with such coexistence, which is why urgent measures are taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms, or helminths, are parasitic worms that live on 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 supposed that there is not a single adult person during his life who has not at least one worm 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 actually exist.
Among all the parasitic worms that can be present 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).
- parasites or trematodes that cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other diseases.
Causes of worms in man
The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.It occurs when the larvae or eggs of worms enter the human body.
This can happen for the following reasons:
- a person does not follow basic hygiene rules: he does not wash his hands after walking on the street, after visiting visitors or after using the toilet, and does not rinse them before eating.
- The cause of worms in people is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- The risk of worm infection is high if you have pets, especially those that walk the streets.
Even with timely anthelmintic treatment, dogs and cats can spread street-borne worm eggs on their paws and fur.
- You can become infected with worms if you do not treat the 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 have not been properly processed pose a risk of contamination.When you eat poorly processed beef - beef tapeworm, pork - pork tapeworm and lightly salted and raw fish, the broad tapeworm lives.
- You can catch worms in the house if you clean it infrequently, wear outdoor shoes and avoid washing the floors.
- Worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if you share dishes, bedding, or stay in the same room for a long time.
Apparently, most of the causes of worms in humans are due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.Those who take care of themselves, their home and their pets may never encounter these pests.
Treatment of worms in humans
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 the case of worms, in no case should you self-medicate: the drugs used in the treatment of helminths 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 to be possible to treat with anthelmintic drugs alone.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a close 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 should follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals in the house, they must undergo anthelmintic treatment twice a year, otherwise all treatment attempts will be in vain.
Which tablets can be used?
Worms are quite a sensitive problem, which prompts 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 should consult a doctor.These are not just words, we have already said that anti-worm medicines are very serious and can cause harm if taken uncontrollably.
The following are used to treat worms in humans:
- anthelmintic drugs - destroy worms.
- antihistamines, which will help if you are allergic to parasites that die en masse.
- enterosorbents, which remove harmful substances and parasite waste from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid - all will help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- probiotics.
The frequency of taking the drug is determined by an infectious disease specialist, based on the results of an objective examination, the patient's complaints and examinations.
Traditional methods of treatment
As a folk remedy to treat worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain courgettes, which destroy worms.However, you should not rely on the miracle cure 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 helminthiasis, you should make an appointment with a doctor: general practitioner, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans are:
- malaise, weakness, fatigue.
- allergies, such as skin rashes, cough, asthma attacks.
- decreased or increased appetite.
- nausea, vomiting without poisoning.
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss, even if the appetite is good.
- sleep problems, insomnia.
- inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes.
- fever without reason;
- muscle and joint pain without exercise;
- snoring or grinding teeth in sleep.
- presence of worms in the stool.
- itching in the anus area (often with pinworms).
There are two phases of helminthiasis: 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 strong 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 the person received and on their habitat.
Prevention of worms in humans
As a rule, we learn the main rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we simply do not follow them:
- You should 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 should only use high quality, safe water.
- Each member of the family should have personal hygiene products and utensils.
- The house must be kept clean and wet cleaning done regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive anthelmintic treatment.