Worm infection - infection of the human body with parasitic worms - worms (helminths). The symptoms of helminthic invasion are determined by the mode of infection, the number of parasites admitted, the degree of their adaptation to the human body and other characteristics.
The first signs of the disease in adults can appear both 2-3 days after infection and after a year and a half, but usually the incubation period is 2-3 weeks.
Helminths do not tend to multiply in the human body (except for worms and some other worms)
Ways of infection:
- contact with family;
- food;
- transmissible;
- perkutane.
The source of infection is a sick person or carrier.
Classification of helminths
In adults, parasitism of more than two hundred species of helminths has been recorded, which, according to their structural features, belong mainly to two types of worms:
- Roundworms are nematodes that cause diseases such as ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichuriasis, trichinosis, dracunculiasis, filariasis, toxocariasis.
- Flatworms are divided into:
- a class of tapeworms that cause teniarinhosis, teniasis, cysticercosis, diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, echinococcosis;
- a class of fluxes causing schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorrhea, fascioliasis, dicrocele.
Depending on the life cycle characteristics and transmission factors, three main types of helminths are distinguished: geohelminths, biohelminths, contact helminths.
Impact of parasites on the human body
The vast majority of worms live in the intestines of adults, however, some types of parasitic worms in the larval stage mature in the tissues of other organs (liver, brain, heart, lungs, eyes, etc. ). In the process of vital activity of helminths, toxic substances are formed that penetrate into the bloodstream and are carried by it to various organs. Moreover, helminths in the human intestine absorb substances necessary for life (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, enzymes and others), leading to malfunctions in the physiological systems of the body.
During pregnancy, helminth infestations are doubly dangerous: the harmful effect is reflected not only in the condition of the mother, but also in the maturation of the embryo.
Worm infection can complicate the development of pregnancy. As a result of the infection in a woman's body, the absorption of nutrients is reduced, which is very undesirable during pregnancy.
In addition, helminths during pregnancy can cause severe toxicosis. Worms can penetrate a woman's genitals. This leads to severe itching and, as a result, constant discomfort and sleep disturbance.
There are toxins that can damage the intestinal wall. As a result, a small but long-term blood loss is possible. This is fraught with the formation of iron deficiency anemia in a pregnant woman.
Helminths are able to penetrate the placental barrier and parasitize the trunk and body of the fetus. Furthermore, they can enter the brain and lead to an increase in head size, which complicates the flow of birth.
Their presence in the lungs is also dangerous - then, the child will develop their chronic inflammation.
clinics
Distinguish between the acute phase of helminthic invasion, which is characterized by a more pronounced clinical, and chronic, which can last several years and appear as erased symptoms.
The most common symptoms of helminth infestation:
- Occurrence of malfunctions in the digestive system, namely:
- constipation (due to blockage of the intestinal lumen, bile ducts by worms);
- loose stools (due to the influence of substances produced by helminths);
- excessive gas formation (due to indigestion).
- Joint and muscle pain - occurs when parasites penetrate the joint fluid and muscles.
- Skin symptoms (redness, eczema, itching, acne) caused by the influence of toxic substances produced by helminths.
- Nervous system disorders, expressed:
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- mall;
- sleep disorder etc.
- Weight loss associated with metabolic disorders.
- Catarrhal symptoms of the respiratory tract (runny nose, cough), arising from the penetration of helminths in them.
Indirect signs of helminthic invasion:
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- increase in body temperature;
- fatigue, asthenia;
- nausea (may be during pregnancy, as a manifestation of toxicosis);
- headache;
- anemia (due to blood loss);
- itching in the perineum.
Diagnosing
Usually, to detect helminth infestation in adults, a fecal analysis or itching from the folds around the anus is performed. Worm eggs are examined microscopically and their appearance is determined.
However, this analysis does not always help identify helminths. More specific to helminthic invasion is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to different types of worms in it. In a general blood test, when the body is infected with helminths, an increase in the content of eosinophils and leukocytes is detected.
Fecal analysis alone may not be enough to identify worms during pregnancy. For a more reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound scan, a blood test, and an amniotic fluid analysis.
therapy
When signs of helminthic invasion are detected and the diagnosis is verified using blood and fecal tests, treatment is performed taking into account the type of parasite. For this, the doctor prescribes specific anthelmintic drugs. Most often, these drugs do not enter the bloodstream, exerting an effect exclusively within the intestines. Because of this, the possibility of toxic effects on the body is minimal.
In some situations, a single use of the medicine is enough to get rid of the worms, in others a longer treatment is needed, built according to an individual scheme by a specialist.
This is a prerequisite for the disease not to take a chronic course. The main task of the repeated course of treatment is the destruction of parasites that have entered the human body in the form of eggs and have not yet completed the life cycle of their development. After a while, they will turn into adults and will be destroyed under the influence of medication.
Usually, to achieve a good result, the whole family should be treated under the control of blood tests and defecation.
Pathogenetic therapy includes anti-allergic drugs, drugs to normalize the intestinal flora.
At the same time, concomitant diseases are treated, often developed as a complication of helminthiasis (anemia, hypovitaminosis, malnutrition).
During pregnancy, in addition to the anthelmintic effect of the drug, its possible effect on the fetus is taken into account.
As a rule, in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the laying of the main organs and systems of the embryo is in the stage of formation, it is better to avoid such treatment. During this period, any medication can do far more harm to the fetus than the potential risk of exposure to worms.
At this stage, you can try to get rid of the parasites with the help of non-drug means.
Many prescriptions are known that can complement the basic treatment, and sometimes completely replace drug therapy. The most proven tools of helminths are:
- pumpkin seeds;
- onions;
- garlic;
- pomegranate juice;
- infusions of tansy and wormwood.
In the second and third trimesters, the likelihood of a negative effect of the medication on the fetus and its retention decreases.
Upon completion of the course of therapy, it is necessary to re-test for worms - scraping. This is done to ensure that the treatment described is correct and that all the worms are destroyed.
It should be remembered that therapy should be performed under the supervision of a specialist. Repeated analysis is taken no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of the course of treatment. It is possible to consider the course of therapy completed with 3 negative tests with an interval of 2 weeks.
prevention
Measures to prevent helminthiasis:
- observance of personal hygiene measures (washing hands before eating, individual use
- personal hygiene products, individual underwear and bed linen);
- mandatory washing with water of vegetables, fruits, greens before eating;
- complete thermal treatment of meat, fish;
- the fight against blood-sucking insects;
- regular wet cleaning indoors;
- complete care for pets;
- regular change of underwear and sheets, with their obligatory ironing;
- exclusion of swimming in water bodies with a high probability of infection with helminths.
When planning a pregnancy, you should be screened for helminths. If they are present, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment before pregnancy, so as not to damage the baby's body.
Timely and complete treatment of the acute form of helminthiasis is the prevention of the chronic course of the disease.