Worm infestation - infection of the human body with parasitic worms - worms (helminths). The symptoms of helminth infestation are determined by the mode of infection, the number of parasites received, the degree of their adaptability in the human body and other characteristics.
The first signs of the disease in adults can appear 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 reproduce in the human body (except for pinworms and some other worms)
Ways of infection:
- contact with the household;
- nutritional;
- portable;
- percutaneous.
The source of infection is a sick person or a carrier.
Classification of helminths
In adults, parasitism of more than two hundred species of helminths has been registered, which according to their structural features belong mainly to two types of worms:
- Roundworms are nematodes that cause diseases such as ascariasis, enterobiosis, trichuria, trichinosis, dracunculiasis, filariasis, toxocariasis.
- Flatworms are divided into:
- class of tapeworms that cause tapeworm disease, tapeworm disease, cysticercosis, diphyllobotriasis, hymenolepiasis, echinococcosis;
- a class of flukes that cause schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, dicroceliasis.
Depending on the characteristics of the life cycle and transmission factors, three main types of helminths are distinguished: geohelminths, biohelminths, contact helminths.
The influence of parasites on the human body
Most worms live in the intestines of adults, but some species 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, which penetrate into the bloodstream and are transferred from it to various organs. In addition, helminths in the human intestine absorb substances necessary for life (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, enzymes, etc. ), which leads to malfunctions in the physiological systems of the body.
During pregnancy, helminth infestations are doubly dangerous: the harmful effect affects not only the condition of the mother, but also the maturation of the embryo.
Worm infestation can complicate the development of pregnancy. As a result of an 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. Pinworms can penetrate a woman's genitals. This leads to severe itching and as a result constant discomfort and sleep disturbance.
There are helminths that can damage the intestinal wall. As a result, small but prolonged blood loss is possible. This is accompanied by the formation of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.
Helminths are able to penetrate the placental barrier and parasitize the trunk and body of the fetus. In addition, they can enter the brain and lead to an increase in the size of the head, which complicates the course of birth.
Their presence in the lungs is also dangerous - later the child will develop their chronic inflammation.
clinic
Distinguish between the acute stage of helminth infestation, which is characterized by a more pronounced clinic, and the chronic, which can last several years and manifest itself as erased symptoms.
The most common symptoms of helminth infestation:
- The appearance of malfunctions in the digestive system, namely:
- constipation (due to obstruction of the intestinal lumen, bile ducts with worms);
- liquid stools (due to the influence of substances produced by helminths);
- excessive flatulence (due to indigestion).
- Joint and muscle pain - occurs when parasites enter the joint fluid and muscles.
- Skin symptoms (rash, eczema, itching, acne) caused by the influence of toxic substances produced by helminths.
- Nervous system disorders expressed:
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- longing;
- sleep disturbance, 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;
- fever;
- fatigue, asthenia;
- nausea (may be during pregnancy, as a manifestation of toxicosis);
- headache;
- anemia (due to blood loss);
- itching in the perineum.
Diagnosis
Stool analysis or scraping of the folds around the anus is usually performed to detect helminth infestation in adults. The eggs of worms are examined microscopically and their appearance is determined.
However, this analysis does not always help to identify helminths. The most specific for the helminth infestation is a blood test for the presence of antibodies against different types of worms. A general blood test, when the body is infected with helminths, shows an increase in the content of eosinophils and leukocytes.
To identify worms during pregnancy, it may not be enough to simply analyze the stool. For a more reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound scan, blood test and analysis of amniotic fluid.
therapy
When signs of helminth infestation are found and the diagnosis is confirmed by blood and stool tests, treatment is carried out taking into account the type of parasite. Therefore, the doctor prescribes specific anthelmintic drugs. More often than not, these drugs do not enter the bloodstream, having an effect exclusively inside the gut. Therefore, the possibility of toxic effects on the body is minimal.
In some situations, a single use of the drug is enough to get rid of worms, in others it requires longer treatment, built on an individual schedule by a specialist.
This is a prerequisite for the disease not to become chronic. 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 their life cycle. After a while, they will become adults and will be destroyed under the influence of drugs.
Usually, in order to achieve a good result, the whole family must be treated under the supervision of blood tests and stools.
Pathogenetic therapy includes antiallergic drugs, drugs to normalize the intestinal flora.
At the same time, concomitant diseases are often treated, often developing 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 formation stage, it is better to avoid such treatment. During this period, any medication can cause much more harm to the fetus than the likely risk of worm exposure.
At this stage you can try to get rid of parasites with the help of non-drugs.
Many prescriptions are known that can complement the basic treatment, and sometimes completely replace drug therapy. The most proven remedies for helminths are:
- pumpkin seeds;
- onions;
- garlic;
- pomegranate juice;
- infusions of tansy and wormwood.
During the second and third trimesters, the likelihood of adverse effects of the drug on the fetus and its carrying decreases.
After the end of the course of therapy it is necessary to repeat the analysis for worms - scraping. This is done to ensure that the prescribed treatment is correct and that all worms are destroyed.
It should be remembered that therapy should be performed under the supervision of a specialist. Re-analysis is taken no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of treatment. It is possible to consider that the course of therapy was 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, use of individual
- personal care products, individual linen and bed linen);
- mandatory washing with water of vegetables, fruits, vegetables before meals;
- full heat treatment of meat, fish;
- control of blood-sucking insects;
- regular wet indoor cleaning;
- complete care for pets;
- regular change of linen and bed linen, with their obligatory ironing;
- exclusion of swimming in water bodies with a high probability of helminth infection.
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 harm the child's body.
Timely and complete treatment of the acute form of helminthiasis is the prevention of the chronic course of the disease.