ParasitesThis is a very common phenomenon that can be easily identified in most people during a routine medical examination.
Specialists have many methods and techniques for identifying and diagnosing worms in the body of a child and an adult. At the current stage of the development of medical science, this is quite simple. In addition, many helminths can be detected independently, leaving the body and entering the external environment. This process usually occurs when the female is breeding and laying eggs.
Further determination of the type, quantity and life cycle duration of worms in humans must be carried out in special clinics during a full-scale examination.
Types of worms in humans
Representatives of helminths are identified based on general characteristics and lifestyle, life cycle and developmental characteristics. It also takes into account how worms appear in humans, how long they live in the body and what diseases they cause.
Doctors can detect the presence of the following types of worms in the body:
- nematode, roundworm.Their life cycle does not exceed 40 years in the intestines. It can affect the respiratory system and the stomach. Its representatives: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- tape parasites.They can live in the intestines and migrate through the body for about 20 years. Large sizes reach 8-10 meters. Cattle and pig tapeworms, individual tapeworms;
- flukes, trematodes.They appear in internal organs and subcutaneous tissue. It passes through all organs and can become life-threatening.
All of the above groups have representatives that are most often found in humans.
And all of them pose a serious threat to the health and normal functioning of the body:
- roundwormIt can cause: appendicitis, jaundice, inflammation of the bile ducts;
- pinworm.It leads to complications: gastritis, allergic reactions, nervous system disorders;
- whipwormIt can cause dysentery, rectal prolapse;
- Toxocara.It manifests itself in reduced vision, bronchitis, death of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and brain dysfunction;
- echinococcus.It poses a danger in the form of anaphylactic shock, hives, liver enlargement, cyst formation and death;
- Trichinella.It can infiltrate, damage the heart and brain;
- Giardia.Consequences: anemia, gastritis, Quincke's edema, pancreatitis;
- hookworms.May cause intestinal dysfunction;
- wide band.Promotes the development of anemia, hypovitaminosis, intestinal tissue necrosis, spinal cord damage;
- filariae.It can cause diseases: conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, asthma, abscesses; pneumonia. They provoke enteritis, bronchitis, fever, meningitis, tachycardia.
These are just a few of the parasites that are often mentioned. There are less dangerous, but still harmful worms. Therefore, it is important to study them under laboratory conditions.
Infection with worms
It is not difficult for parasites to penetrate the human body. They are impossible to detect or identify in the environment, as they are often in the stage of small larvae or microscopic eggs.
There are certain methods and routes of infection:
- bodies of water In the case of most parasites, the larvae spend the intermediate stages of their life cycle in both fresh and salt water. They are sometimes found in intermediate hosts such as fish and shellfish;
- wet sand or soil. Together with the feces, eggs are mainly released for further development or in search of a temporary carrier;
- dirty unprocessed vegetables, berries, fruits, herbs. From the soil, future parasites penetrate the surface of the products;
- animals: homeless and housewives. Temporary media.
Even a casual walk with a child or a trip to the store, taking the elevator or dirty handrails can cause the appearance of parasites. In order to prevent this, simple rules of personal hygiene should be observed, wet cleaning of the house should be carried out regularly and the room where the workplace is located should be ventilated.
Adult worms, signs and symptoms
Characteristics alone cannot clearly determine whether a person is infected with worms.
How can you check if you really have worms?
For this, there are general characteristic signs of the presence of worms in a person and methods for determining them:
- changes in appetite, including its increase and decrease;
- nervousness, fear, excitement. Fatigue and weakness may also occur;
- snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep;
- bowel problems, including both diarrhea and constipation;
- bloating;
- headache, dizziness;
- swelling of the limbs;
- itching in the anus;
- increased body temperature;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- skin rashes, redness;
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the stomach;
- fragility of hair and nails.
These are just some of the signs that can indicate the presence of worms in an adult. However, these symptoms can also be characteristic of other diseases. Therefore, only a proper test allows you to get an accurate result.
Signs of worms in children
Due to the still insufficient immunity and protective protein cells, children are often susceptible to the more serious consequences of the presence of parasites in the body:
- intestinal dysfunction, dysbacteriosis;
- flatulence, flatulence;
- dermatitis, hives;
- involuntary urination or urinary incontinence;
- respiratory diseases. Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma;
- In girls, inflammation of the genital organs is possible;
- vomiting, nausea;
- itching and burning in the anus;
- severe aching abdominal pain and colic;
- sleep disorder;
- nervousness,
- Newborns can experience serious complications or developmental delays.
It is quite difficult to identify worms on your own, and many parents do not think about their presence. If you try to treat your children without the help of a professional, they can aggravate the spread of parasites in the children's bodies. The consequences in such cases are unpredictable.
Examination of various worms
How to understand that a person develops helminthiasis?
The exact determination of the presence of worms in adults and children is only possible with the help of specially developed research methods.
The doctor prescribes appropriate research methods depending on the symptoms and signs of the parasites:
- scrapingThis is a traditional and simple method of taking a smear from the anus to determine the presence of worm eggs;
- stool analysis.This method has been tested, but is not always effective, since not all helminths are found in the secretions;
- chemical general blood test.It allows you to determine only the inflammatory process with indicators of low hemoglobin level, and also takes leukocytes into account;
- CPR diagnostics. This method consists of examining the parasite DNA material in the blood, comparing it to available samples. It accurately determines the helminth class and its quantity;
- coupled immunosorbent assay.This method is also based on the analysis of the patient's blood. The detected patterns of IgM and IgG antibodies indicate the defensive reaction of the immune system against the worms.
In addition, ultrasound, radiography and tomography may be prescribed. The need for these is related to the migration of the parasites in the organs and frequent changes of location. The method of biopsy or probing is also used to extract material from the affected organs. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the class of the helminth and its effect on the organs.
Worms: treatment for adults and children
It is important to recognize that in most cases the process of treating diseases caused by helminth infections is complex. It is not always possible to completely get rid of all parasite larvae and eggs in one treatment. Patients often need to be under constant medical supervision and undergo regular examinations.
What to do in this case?
It is important to follow your doctor's advice and recommendations.
They usually prescribe drugs with a broad spectrum of action.
You should be especially careful when taking medicines for small children and newborns. The strong components of medical anthelmintics are not always suitable for an organism with low immunity.
Only an experienced doctor can prescribe drugs that correspond to the age of the patient and the degree of complications of the disease.
F. A. Q
What symptoms can indicate the presence of worms in a person?
Symptoms of worms can include constant fatigue, weight loss, insomnia, itching in the anus, worms in the stool and abdominal pain.
What diagnostic methods are used to determine the presence of worms in a person?
Stool tests for worm eggs, blood tests for anti-worm antibodies, and survey diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and X-ray can be used to diagnose worms.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Watch for symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances, and allergic reactions.
Tip #2
See your doctor for special stool or blood tests to check for worm eggs or antibodies against them.