Worm infection belongs to a group of diseases common to humans and animals. This is caused by the penetration of various worms into the body, which have more than three hundred species in our time. Parasites are localized primarily in the intestines and liver, but some species are able to penetrate the lungs, heart, brain, and other vital organs, which can have very serious consequences. It is important to detect the presence of helminths in the body as early as possible and take steps to eliminate them to avoid health problems. After all, this disease can have many, even fatal, consequences. But it is quite difficult to determine the presence of helminthic invasion in the body, as the symptoms are similar to other diseases, and it is difficult to tell exactly which infection is attacking the body. It is important to understand what to look for when contacting a parasitologist.
Types of helminths dangerous to humans
Worms that pose a threat to humans can be divided into two groups:
- Cavitary - fungal worms, tapeworms, whipworms, broad tapeworms and other parasites that live in the intestines.
- Tissue - echinococcosis, paragonimiasis, cysticercosis and other types of parasites that can spread to and affect all important internal organs.
The following types of helminthic invasions are most commonly diagnosed in the human body: enterobiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis.
Methods of infection with worms
Parasitic larvae enter the body in a number of ways, the main ones being distinguished:
- Contact - larvae spread from person to person.
- Through insect bites.
- Through the ground
- Through the water.
- With dust particles.
- From food that has not undergone an appropriate heat treatment.
- Fecal-oral.
The first manifestation of worms in the body
In the human body, worms do not appear immediately. This is the main problem. The first signs of helminthic invasion may appear after only two weeks. These include:
- increased body temperature;
- skin rashes;
- aching abdominal pain;
- anorexia;
- appearance of headache;
- disturbance of the intestines.
If you need to see a doctor in time to feel the first signs, many problems can be avoided.
Symptoms of the presence of worms in the human body
While in the body, parasites eat most of the nutrients and vitamins, which significantly affects their well-being.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion in adults:
- presence of allergies;
- appearance of pimples and boils;
- annoying cough;
- decreased immunity;
- depressed and irritable states;
- pain in the joints;
- gastrointestinal disorders.
Symptoms of lungworm infection
Infection of the lungs with helminths can be asymptomatic for several years. After penetrating the human body, parasites actively multiply when they reach significant amounts, with symptoms such as:
- weakness and lack of strength;
- shortness of breath;
- wet cough;
- pain and discomfort in the chest area;
- nausea and vomiting;
- decreased appetite and weight loss.
At the places where parasites enter the lungs, adhesions form and over time the shape of the lungs changes. Parasites provoke diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and pleurisy. In advanced cases, a fatal outcome is likely.
The main signs of intestinal helminthiasis
Most often, worms inhabit the human body through the intestines. The very first symptoms appear when helminths start active reproduction:
- indigestion;
- nausea;
- bloating;
- lack of strength and fatigue;
- itching in the anus;
- dermatitis and eczema on the skin.
Parasites poison the body with the products of their vital activity, all of which leads to general weakness and apathy.
Symptoms of the presence of worms in the stomach
This place is also a favorite of worms, the symptoms are as follows:
- frequent indigestion, constipation may suddenly become diarrhea;
- pain in the stomach and navel;
- decreased appetite;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- gnashing of teeth;
- insomnia.
Signs of Dirofilaria infection
This type of parasite occurs in humans due to insect bites. There are two forms of dirofilariasis - the eye and the skin:
- The skin shape can be most common with mosquito bites, a small seal is formed at this site that gradually migrates under the skin, causing discomfort. If you do not seek timely professional help, severe redness and pain will occur at the site of the lesion.
- In the ocular form, the parasite lives under the skin of the eyelids and has the potential to penetrate the eyeball. Symptoms include redness and swelling, conjunctivitis and itching in the affected area, as well as a constant foreign body in his eyes. All this is accompanied by insomnia, increased nervousness and general weakness.
Symptoms of intestinal worm in the throat
The throat is one of the most sensitive places in the human body. If it becomes inflamed, we immediately feel pain and discomfort, but sometimes we can also feel strong tickling and swelling in the throat, which is often caused by the intestinal worm. It is worth noting that parasites cannot live in the throat as this is not a favorable habitat for them. Occasionally, parasites that develop in the digestive system grow to such a size that they enter the throat through the esophagus, usually accompanied by suffocation, a strong cough.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion of the brain
Brain damage usually occurs through the nasal passages. Once in the brain, helminths infect the cortical center, killing brain cells, and actively multiplying. Dead cells are retained instead of dead cells, leading to inflammatory processes in the brain. If emergency medical care is not provided to a patient, he or she could die within two weeks.
Symptoms:
- severe pain in the head;
- What number;
- hallucinations;
- weakness.
Symptoms of helminthic invasion in human blood
Blood is home to several types of worms that have very harmful effects on the body. Symptoms include:
- dizziness;
- febrile seizures;
- pain in the joints;
- numbness of the limbs;
- enlargement of the lymph nodes.
How to recognize a helminthic invasion based on skin rash
One of the main manifestations of the presence of helminths is the severe deterioration of the condition of the skin and the appearance of various rashes on it. This is due to the toxic substances emitted by the parasites. The most characteristic signs are:
- hives;
- severe itching;
- allergic rhinitis;
- dermatitis;
- psoriasis;
- appearance of papillomas;
- the fragility of the nails;
- increased hair loss;
- acne and furunculosis.
But not all skin manifestations should be attributed to the presence of worms in the body, the causes may be different, and only after a dermatologist has done research can you identify them.
Symptoms of helminthiasis in the form of metabolic disorders
They should also warn of failures in the body’s metabolic processes. If there has been a sudden decrease or increase in weight with normal diet, anemia or hypovitaminosis, infection with parasites should be considered. Rapid weight loss is due to the fact that worms absorb all the nutrients a person consumes. Weight gain can be triggered by toxins excreted by helminths, in response to which the body needs more food to remove toxins.
Symptoms from the immune system
Because the parasites eat all the nutrients and vitamins that enter the body, the immune system is severely suppressed and humans become susceptible to all infectious diseases and inflammatory processes in various organs. Chronic diseases are also on the rise.
Nervous system
From the side of the nervous system, helminthic invasion is manifested by the following symptoms:
- insomnia;
- increased fatigue;
- memory impairment;
- depressed state;
- decreased activity and performance.
Signs of infection in children
Note! Pinworms and ascaris are most commonly diagnosed in children.
Worm infection in children has the following symptoms:
- bad appetite;
- pale facial skin;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- poor sleep, gnashing of teeth in a dream;
- headache, dizziness;
- general lethargy and weakness;
- the presence of worms in the child's stool;
- itching in the anus;
- indigestion;
- large amounts of saliva in the mouth;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- an increase in body temperature for no apparent reason;
- allergic reactions, dermatitis, hives;
- inflammatory processes in the genitals;
- bad breath;
- fever;
- annoying cough;
- nausea and vomiting;
- frequent colds.
Advice! If your baby has three or more symptoms, see a doctor right away. Often, even a stool test does not give an accurate result, so it is most effective to have a comprehensive test.
It is important to understand that the small number of adult helminths in the body causes almost no symptoms of helminthic invasion in adults and children. Confirmation or denial of infection is possible only by performing laboratory tests and examinations individually prescribed by the parasitologist.
Diagnosis of helminthiasis
Because parasites can only be treated after they have been detected, and the symptoms of the infection are similar to those of other diseases, a competent diagnosis is important. His methods are as follows:
- Serological analysis - detection of helminth antibodies in the blood;
- Stool analysis - helps identify the presence of larval and adult fragments;
- Coprological examination - the study of scraping taken near the anus;
- Check for dysbacteriosis;
- CT scan;
- endoscopy;
- ultrasound.
It can be easily infected with worms, but is difficult to treat, especially chronic forms of helminthic invasion. Treatment includes antiparasitic agents, immunomodulators, and sorbents. The therapeutic regimen is prescribed only by a doctor, self-healing can be not only useless but also dangerous.
Preventive measures against infection of helminth samples
Preventing helminthic infestation is extremely important for children and adults, and following certain rules can significantly reduce the chances of getting infected with parasites. The presence of helminthic invasion in humans is usually due to a lack of basic hygiene:
- Wash hands before contact with animals before each meal, returning from the street;
- well, preferably with special products, wash fruits and vegetables before eating or boil them in boiling water;
- drink only purified or boiled water;
- try to avoid insect bites;
- fish, meat and other similar products are subjected to a thorough heat treatment;
- make sure the child's nails are cut short;
- wash children's toys regularly with special products;
- be sure to boil the objects used by the patient for five minutes;
- examination of a child and an adult twice a year for the presence of helminth samples;
- to wean the child from taking hands and other objects in his mouth, especially those that have been in contact with the ground.
These measures are not very difficult to implement. Adherence to them will be enough to best protect yourself and your children from parasites. If something is missed and symptoms of helminthic invasion begin to appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent complications.