Worms in the human body

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

Characteristics and types of helminthiasis

Helminth infections are a group of human diseases caused by the ingestion of worms of parasitic origin, namely helminths that parasitize the internal organs of a person, affecting tissues and disrupting their normal function.

Parasites can settle in almost any organ: intestines, lungs, gall bladder, liver and even the brain.The name of helminthiasis, its course, consequences and symptoms depend on the type of parasite that caused 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 dwarf tapeworm, and enterobiasis, caused by pinworms.Parasites crawl out of the rectum and lay eggs on a person's skin.Further distribution occurs through food and household items.The main cause of infection by contact helminthiasis is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, as well as improper processing of products and non-compliance with storage rules.
2. Geohelminthiases.Characteristically, there is no need for an intermediate host; parasitic worms complete their entire life cycle in one organism.The eggs and larvae of parasites can only live in the external environment, most often in the soil.Very rare species are able to develop indoors, most only in soil or water.Children who often play with the soil, and workers on farms and pastures are most susceptible to geohelminthiasis.Human infection occurs by 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 through blood-sucking insects.These types of parasites live in the blood of the final host, enter the insect’s body through a bite, then develop in it and through the same bite reach another person.But it is also possible to release eggs and larvae into the external environment, as with geohelminthiases.Each type of helminth requires its own specific type of intermediate host.

Symptoms and causes of helminthiases

The clinical symptoms of helminthiasis directly depend on the type of parasites in the human body and their habitat.Depending on the affected organ, various manifestations of the disease occur, which often interferes with an accurate diagnosis.

Helminthiasis goes through acute and chronic stages of development.The acute stage lasts no more than 8 weeks, but the chronic stage can last for years.The acute stage is distinguished by similar symptoms for all types of helminthiasis, since after the appearance of a foreign object in the human body, an immediate reaction of the immune system follows.

For the chronic stage, symptoms become more specific for each specific disease and cannot be generalized.It all depends on the affected organ, for example, when parasites are localized in the intestines, abdominal pain and problems with stool 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 level of leukocytes.
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 the stool or when urinating.
13. Pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis, intestinal obstruction.

Some types of helminthiases are characterized by an asymptomatic, latent course of the disease.This is dangerous because, due to severe damage, a person’s internal organ can simply rupture, after which the entire body will inevitably become infected with parasites and, as a consequence, such severe consequences as anaphylactic shock or peritonitis.

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

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

The most common childhood disease is enterobiasis.In second place are various types of roundworms, which are most characteristic of children's diseases.It is imperative to pay attention to the consistency and regularity of stool, the appearance of various skin rashes, and do 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 comply with hygiene and sanitary standards.Carefully process purchased products; for children, it is advisable to use special products for washing fruits and vegetables.Hand washing is mandatory before every meal.
2. Meat and fish products.To avoid infection and serious consequences, high-quality heat treatment is required, as well as certification for the purchased product.Monitor compliance with the storage conditions of prepared semi-finished products.It is unacceptable to consume fish products purchased on the roadside.
3. Earth and sand.This primarily applies to children, since they tend to put everything in their mouth.During games, do not let your child eat sand in the sandbox or earth in the summer cottage.Anything that fell on the floor or open ground is excluded.

Helminth eggs surround us everywhere, so we should 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 thousand species of helminths of this class have been described.They can cause serious damage to the human body and cause various helminthic diseases.The development of roundworms goes through 5 stages, of which four are larval and one is adult.With each transition, the environment or 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 a cough, in which the larvae are pushed into a person’s throat and returned back to the intestines as already mature individuals;
  • Pinworm worms 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 larval stages of development and reach the final host as an adult.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 an epileptic 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 cause of trematodes.The most dangerous varieties of this class:
  • fluke opisthorchiasis - enters the human body with fish meat, most often carp species, affecting the bile ducts of the liver;
  • schistosomes - transmitted through water, causing schistosomiasis, a very serious disease with extremely serious consequences;
  • paragonim is a pulmonary fluke, the cause of paragonimiasis, infection is possible only by eating crabs, crayfish or pork.

All of the listed types of worms in humans are only a small part of the variety of parasites that currently exist.According to some data, there are more than 1 million varieties.

Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiases

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 at their location.

Basic methods for diagnosing helminthiases:

1. Microhelminthoscopic.Used to detect eggs and larvae of worms.These include the methods of Kato, Kalantaryan and Fulleborn.Separately, each of these methods does not make it possible to accurately identify all types of parasites.But in total they give good results, especially with regard to the intensity of the spread of parasites living in the body.
2. Macrohelminthoscopic.Most effective in identifying pinworms and roundworms.They help detect parasites in feces through the use of a Petri dish and a magnifying glass.
3. Biopsy.If there is a possibility of helminth parasitism in human muscle tissue, then 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 to detect 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, gall bladder and duodenum.
6. Instrumental.These include ultrasound, 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 with an active ingredient such as levamisole.The dosage is selected according to the patient's age.This helps weaken the parasites.

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

Quite often, a person may not even know about worms in his body.In this connection, it is recommended to carry out preventive courses of antihelminthic drugs.This is especially true for preschool children 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.