Helminth infection - the human body is infected with parasites - worms (worms). Symptoms of a worm invasion depend on characteristics such as the mode of infection, the number of parasites infected, and how well they adapt to the body.
The first signs of disease in adults can appear 2-3 days and a year and a half after infection, but the incubation period is usually 2-3 weeks.
Worms do not reproduce in humans (except pinworms and some other worms)
Route of infection:
- contact the resident;
- Nutritious;
- communicable;
- percutaneous.
The source of infection is a patient or carrier.
Classification of worms
Among adult worms, there are more than 200 registered parasitic worms, which are mainly divided into two categories according to their structural characteristics:
- Roundworms are nematodes that cause diseases such as ascariasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis, trichinosis, dracunculiasis, filariasis, toxocariasis, and the like.
- Flatworms are subdivided into:
- A class of tapeworms that cause teniarinhoz, teniasis, cysticercosis, diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, hydatid;
- A class of flukes that cause schistosomiasis, epiorchisomiasis, schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, and armyworm.
Three main types of worms can be distinguished based on life cycle characteristics and transmission factors: soil worms, biological worms, and contact worms.
Effects of parasites on the human body
The vast majority of worms live in the gut of the adult worm, however, some parasites in the larval stage mature in the tissues of other organs (liver, brain, heart, lungs, eyes, etc. ). During the life of the worm, toxic substances are formed, which penetrate the blood and are carried by it to different organs. In addition, worms in the human gut absorb substances necessary for life (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, enzymes, etc. ), causing the body's physiological systems to malfunction.
During pregnancy, worm invasion is doubly dangerous: the detrimental effects are reflected not only in the mother's condition, but also in the maturation of the embryo.
A worm infection can complicate the development of pregnancy. Due to the infection in the female body, the absorption of nutrients is reduced, which is highly undesirable during pregnancy.
Also, worms during pregnancy can cause severe poisoning. Pinworms can penetrate female genitalia. This can cause severe itching, which can lead to constant discomfort and sleep disturbance.
Some worms can damage the intestinal lining. As a result, small but long-term blood loss may occur. This is full of the formation of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.
The worms are able to penetrate the placental barrier and parasitize the trunk and fetus. Additionally, they can enter the brain and cause the head to enlarge, complicating the birthing process.
Their presence in the lungs is also dangerous - and then the child develops chronic inflammation.
Clinic
Distinguish between the acute phase of helminth invasion and the chronic phase, the latter characterized by more pronounced clinical manifestations, and the chronic phase lasting several years and manifesting as the disappearance of symptoms.
The most common symptoms of a worm infestation:
- Malfunction of the digestive system, namely:
- Constipation (due to obstruction of the intestinal lumen, bile ducts by worms);
- loose stools (due to the influence of substances produced by the worms);
- Excessive gas formation (due to indigestion).
- Joint and muscle pain - occurs when parasites penetrate joint fluid and muscles.
- Skin symptoms (rash, eczema, itching, acne) caused by the influence of toxic substances produced by worms.
- Nervous system disorders, manifested by:
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- eager;
- sleep disorders, etc.
- Weight loss associated with metabolic disorders.
- Catarrh symptoms of the respiratory tract (runny nose, cough), caused by worms entering the respiratory tract.
Indirect signs of worm invasion:
- swollen lymph nodes;
- elevated body temperature;
- fatigue, weakness;
- Nausea (possibly during pregnancy, as a sign of poisoning);
- headache;
- anemia (due to blood loss);
- Perineal itching.
diagnosis
Typically, to detect worm infestation in adults, stool analysis or scraping from the folds around the anus is performed. Examine the worm eggs with a microscope and determine their appearance.
However, this analysis is not always helpful in identifying worms. The most specific method of worm invasion is a blood test for the presence of antibodies against the various worms in it. In general blood tests, increased levels of eosinophils and white blood cells are detected when the body is infected with worms.
To identify worms during pregnancy, analyzing stool alone may not be enough. For a more reliable diagnosis, ultrasound scans, blood tests, and amniotic fluid analysis are necessary.
treat
Treatment is based on the type of parasite when signs of a worm invasion are detected and the diagnosis is verified using blood and stool tests. For this, doctors prescribe specific deworming medicines. More commonly, these drugs do not enter the bloodstream and only work in the gut. Therefore, the possibility of toxic effects on the body is low.
In some cases, a single application of the drug is sufficient to eliminate the worms, while in other cases a longer treatment period is required, according to the specialist's individual plan.
This is a prerequisite so that the disease does not develop a chronic course. The main task of the repeated course of treatment is to destroy the parasites that enter the body in the form of eggs and have not yet completed their developmental life cycle. After a while, they become adults and are destroyed by the drug.
Generally, for good results, the whole family should be treated under the control of blood and stool tests.
Pathogen treatments include antiallergic drugs, drugs that normalize the gut flora.
At the same time, concomitant diseases are treated, often developing complications of helminthiasis (anemia, vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition).
During pregnancy, in addition to the antihelminthic effect of the drug, its possible effects on the fetus were also considered.
Generally, this treatment is best avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the laying of the embryo's major organs and systems is in the formative stage. During this time, the harm to the fetus from any drug far outweighs the possible risk of exposure to the worms.
At this stage, you can try to get rid of the parasite with the help of non-drug means.
It is well known that many recipes can complement basic treatment and sometimes even completely replace medication. The most established worm methods are:
- pumpkin seeds;
- onion;
- garlic;
- Pomegranate juice;
- An infusion of tansy and wormwood.
During the second and third trimesters, the drug is less likely to negatively affect the fetus and its bearings.
After the course of treatment, it is necessary to re-analyze the worms - scraping. This is done to ensure that the prescribed treatment is correct and that all worms are eliminated.
It must be remembered that treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. Repeat analyses were performed no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of the treatment course. A course of treatment completed with 3 negative tests, 2 weeks apart, may be considered.
prevention
Measures to prevent helminthiasis:
- Observe personal hygiene measures (wash hands before meals, use personal
- personal hygiene products, personal underwear and bed linen);
- Vegetables, fruits and vegetables must be washed with water before consumption;
- Full heat treatment of meat and fish;
- fight blood-sucking insects;
- Regular wet cleaning indoors;
- Comprehensive care of pets;
- Change underwear and sheets regularly and force ironing;
- Exclude swimming in bodies of water with a high probability of infection with parasites.
When planning a pregnancy, you should check for worms. If they are present, a course must be received before pregnancy so as not to harm the child's body.
Prompt and thorough treatment of acute helminthiasis is the prevention of the chronic course of the disease.