The symptoms of worms in people can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasites present in the body. The treatment necessarily requires an integrated approach, only with this condition is it possible to eliminate the problem. Medicines and traditional methods are used for this purpose.
Sometimes it is very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, because the symptoms of helminthic infection are very similar to many diseases of the intestines and stomach, gall bladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What types of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- wheel;
- tapeworms;
- they are unfortunate.
Roundworms are thin and long worms with a yellowish or pink tint. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of the worms are ingested, which can occur when contaminated food is consumed. The larvae hatch from eggs in the intestines and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood flow, they pass through the internal organs, causing minor bleeding. Among the main symptoms of worms (abdominal pain is one of the signs of helminthic infection in the picture), the presence of fever and body aches can be highlighted. Often, no one pays much attention to these signs, as they associate them with the common cold. Meanwhile, the larvae enter the lung tissue with the bloodstream. From there, after maturation, they enter the oral cavity and then the intestines, where they grow and multiply. During their lifetime, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestines, causing poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
The main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- stomach ache;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of poisoning.
Because of this, weight loss may occur, rashes may appear on the body, and other signs of allergy may also appear.
In childhood, pinworms are the main problem. These are small, gray roundworms. Their appearance is caused by non-compliance with hygiene rules and the consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection by domestic animals is also possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestines.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, as self-infection occurs all the time. At night, pinworms lay eggs in folds near the anus. At this time, very strong itching and painful sensations are observed. The general state of health deteriorates significantly, as the parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears as:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain.
Another roundworm is the whipworm. The back part is thick, barrel-shaped, the head part is very thin, hair-shaped. With the help of a thin body part, the parasites penetrate the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Infection occurs when whipworm eggs enter food.
The parasite damages the intestinal walls, causes poisoning of the body, which often leads to appendicitis.
A broad tapeworm is a long worm that belongs to the tapeworm family. This flat parasite reaches very large sizes. Larvae go through several stages during development. Its intermediate hosts are river fish and crabs. Humans eat river fish infected with worms, with which the latter enter the body, where they begin to grow.
This parasite is large and therefore requires a lot of food. As a result, humans develop quite characteristic symptoms of worms, especially rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Cattle and pig tapeworms are tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected by eating undercooked or poorly cooked meat. The tapeworm's body consists of several flat parts in which the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to special suction discs and hooks, these parasites adhere very firmly to the intestinal wall. They suck out all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. The main symptoms of worms include severe weakness, weight loss, nausea and bowel dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines and dizziness. There are fainting spells.
When the liver fluke enters the body, it causes opisthorchiasis. You can become infected if you eat river fish that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment. If a person has this type of worms, the symptoms are expressed in the form of pain and a feeling of fullness on the right side, stool disorders, and sometimes a slight yellowing of the skin. Most people go to the doctor with symptoms of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If the parasites are not removed from the body for a long time, liver shrinkage and malignant tumors can develop.
Methods of infection
Before you can identify the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, you need to understand exactly how the infection occurs. The main ways of infection by worms:
- through the ground;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open reservoirs.
Sometimes the source of infection can be the bite of stinging insects. You can become infected with food that has not been properly heat treated.
Main signs in adults
The symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be recognized right away. Parasites cause many symptoms. If they occur, be sure to see a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person at the initial stage, this will allow you to avoid many diagnostic errors. Among the main features, the following should be highlighted:
- allergic skin rashes;
- frequent cough;
- runny nose, appearance of pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- nervousness.
If the worms are long, they form whole balls that prevent the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. As a result, people experience symptoms of worms such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Teeth grinding may occur.
Depression can be observed against the background of constant chronic poisoning caused by waste products of worms. When the parasites move through the body and damage the tissues, a person begins to feel pain in the joints. If there are worms, the symptoms can be very different, only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
Signs of childhood helminthic infection
Symptoms and signs of worms in a child are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether the baby has parasites in the intestines, for example:
- increased activity;
- salivation;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling of the eyelids;
- craving for sweet foods;
- lethargy and drowsiness;
- signs of anemia;
- frequent colds.
If these signs and symptoms of worms are observed in a child, there is a high probability that parasites are present in the body. In this case, be sure to consult a doctor in order to diagnose and prescribe the correct and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute stage
The first symptoms of worms in an adult do not appear immediately after infection, but after a few days. The average incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself in the form of allergic reactions. During growth and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that lead to poisoning of the body.
Among the allergy symptoms of worms in adults, the following can be observed:
- swelling;
- rashes;
- skin itching;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be ruled out. Certain types of parasites can cause severe reactions, such as swelling of the face. Particularly complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of the rupture of the cyst. In this case, the risk of anaphylactic shock and the patient's death increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in an adult in the acute stage include not only allergic manifestations, but also an increase in temperature. In case of severe infection, the state of health deteriorates significantly. Cough and chest pain are common.
Manifestations of the chronic phase
In the chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in adults largely depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms are observed:
- bowel dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- bloating;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete substances that negatively affect the digestive process. There may be a lack of nutrients in the body.
In adults, the symptoms of worms often mean various psychological disorders. The more parasites there are in the body, the more pronounced the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, headache, insomnia and inattention should be highlighted.
Specific symptoms
There is a risk of infection with worms such as trematodes, also known as worms. These parasites live in different organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms are as follows:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- temperature rise;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- chills;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can lead to the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. The intestinal form manifests itself in the form of pain, poor appetite and diarrhea mixed with blood.
Performing diagnostics
If a person develops symptoms of worms, treatment should be carried out immediately after diagnosis. Several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used to detect the presence of parasites in the body. These include:
- coupled immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA tests;
- serological techniques;
- X-ray;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
The enzyme immunoassay helps to determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as to identify their type. ELISA tests indicate the body's reaction when infected with parasites. This technique is not independent. It should be used in conjunction with other types of research.
Serological methods are used to diagnose helminthiasis in the acute stage. Bioresonance diagnostics is a test that allows parasites to be identified at a very early stage.
Modern, high-precision diagnostic techniques help not only to recognize the infection of worms, but also to determine what type they are, determine the age and stage of development, which significantly speeds up the healing process.
Drug therapy for adults
If the symptoms of worms appear in adults, treatment should be carried out immediately, as this is the only way to prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. The therapy of helminthiasis includes a whole series of procedures and drugs, as well as strict medical instructions.
In order to eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment necessarily involves taking certain medications. Anthelmintic compounds are used to kill a wide variety of worms. There are also narrowly targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs cause certain side effects, especially nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, you need to take an enterosorbent.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in adults, the treatment can be done with anthelmintic drugs in the form of drops. This medicine is very convenient to use, as it allows you to accurately calculate the dose, which is often not possible with tablets, since they are covered with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of helminthic infection, but they are highly toxic substances and can lead to poisoning of the body.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites cause severe discomfort and deterioration of well-being. That is why, after symptoms of worms appear in children, treatment should be started immediately. Medicines are available in the form of tablets and suspensions.
These drugs contain various active ingredients that are only effective against a certain type of parasite, so the drug can only be used after a diagnosis has been made. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, the treatment is selected individually in order to effectively get rid of the parasites and not harm the child's body. The recipe must be strictly followed, as the dose is always chosen individually for each child and depends on the weight, age and type of parasite.
Many medicines are prohibited for children weighing less than 12 kg.
Folk remedies
If there are symptoms of worms at home, treatment can be done using traditional methods. To combat helminthiasis, various herbs are used, which are no less effective than drugs. These are the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- sage;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminthic infections is to consume raw pumpkin seeds. As a preventive measure, you can use carrot juice, which is recommended to be consumed for 2 weeks, 200 ml each.
In addition to decoctions and tinctures, enemas are also recommended to help remove helminths. For enemas, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. This medicine is used only in strained form so that small particles of plants do not enter the intestines and do not damage the mucous membrane.
Implementation of prevention
We recommend that you regularly take preventive measures, as this will prevent helminth infection and subsequent treatment for a long time. For prevention, you should try to avoid foci of worm infection and use folk remedies. It is also advisable to include preventive measures:
- maintaining hygiene;
- eat only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- extermination of insects in the house that carry worm eggs;
- drink only boiled water;
- implementation of drug prophylaxis.
Medicines should only be used after consulting your doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.