Worms in humans

Types of worms in humans

Worms, or helminths, are parasitic worms that live at the expense of animals and plants, feed and multiply inside living organisms. We are no exception.

– According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms. It is assumed that there is not a single adult person during whose life a single worm would not have settled in his body, says general practitioner, family doctor Aigul Kharisova.

In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many types of these unpleasant creatures actually exist.

Among all parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, there are three main groups:

• nematodes related to round helminths: pinworm, whipworm, trichinella, roundworm;
• tape, or flat worms related to cestodes (various types of tapeworms, tapeworms and echinococcus);
• parasitic flukes, or trematodes that cause opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other ailments.

Causes of worms in humans

The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis. It occurs when the larvae or eggs of worms enter the human body. This can happen for the following reasons:

• a person does not follow the basic rules of hygiene: does not wash his hands after walking down the street, after visiting guests or after the toilet, and also before eating;
• the cause of worms in humans is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers, holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils;
• the risk of infection with worms is great if there are pets, especially those walking on the streets.

• you can become infected with worms if you do not treat vegetables, fruits, berries, greens that you are going to eat with hot water;
• it is dangerous to use raw water from an unknown source or to wash food with it;
• improperly processed meat and fish is a chance to get infected. When using poorly processed thermally beef – bovine tapeworm, pork – pork tapeworm, a wide tapeworm lives in lightly salted and raw fish;
• you can catch worms in the house, if it is rarely cleaned and the floor is washed, street shoes are worn;
• worms can also be transmitted from an infected person if you share dishes, bed linen with him, you stay in the same room for a long time.

  Obviously, most of the causes of worms in humans rests on non-compliance with the rules of hygiene. Who takes care of himself, his home and his pets, he may never encounter these parasites.

Treatment of worms in humans

A general practitioner treats worms in a person if the patient is an adult, or a pediatrician if the child has worms.

– In case of worms, self-medication in case of worms is by no means worth it: the drugs used in the treatment of helminthiasis are quite difficult for the body, – notes Dr. Aigul Kharisova.

Usually, in the treatment of worms in humans, complex therapy is used, the purpose of which is not only to destroy the parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to manage with anthelmintic drugs alone. In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a narrow circle easily infect each other.

Along with medications, vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion may be prescribed. For more effective treatment of worms, a person will have to follow a diet, limit carbohydrates: sweet, starchy foods.

“If there are animals in the house, they definitely need to carry out anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be in vain,” clarifies Aigul Kharisova, a therapist.

What tablets can be used?

Worms – the problem is quite delicate, it pushes many people to self-medicate. Advertising constantly repeats that certain pills are able to instantly solve the problem. However, many do not notice that in any advertisement there is an indication that you should consult a doctor before using it. These are not simple words, we have already said that anti-worm drugs are very serious and can be harmful if taken uncontrolled.

As a treatment for worms in humans, use:

• anthelmintic drugs – they destroy worms;
• antihistamines, which will help if there is an allergic reaction to massively dying parasites;
• enterosorbents that remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body;
• iron preparations, vitamin B12, folic acid – for various types of anemia.
• hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
• probiotics.

The most commonly used are the following highly active and at the same time low-toxic drugs:

• Levamisole,
• Albendazole,
• Pirantel,
• Medamin,
• Praziquantel,
• Diethylcarbamazine.

– The frequency of taking the drugs is determined by the infectious disease specialist, according to the results of an objective examination, complaints, patient tests, – clarifies therapist Ekaterina Kosmacheva.

Traditional methods of treatment

As a folk remedy for the treatment of worms, children and adults can use dried pumpkin seeds. According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins that destroy worms. However, relying on a miraculous cure for worms with the help of pumpkin seeds is not worth it.

Parasites that have settled in the body are very dangerous. Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will spread throughout the body. They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts, enter the pancreatic ducts. Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia – a decrease in hemoglobin levels.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

For any suspicion of helminthiases, you need to make an appointment with a doctor: a general practitioner, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

• malaise, weakness, fatigue;
• allergies, such as skin rash, cough, asthma attacks;
• decreased or increased appetite;
• nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
• stomach ache;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
• sleep problems, insomnia;
• swollen or enlarged lymph nodes;
• fever for no reason;
• pain in muscles and joints without exertion;
• snoring or grinding teeth during sleep;
• the presence of worms in the stool;
• itching in the anus (often with pinworms).

– There are two phases of helminthiases: acute and chronic. The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body. Most often in this period there is a pronounced allergic reaction to the helminth. After about two months, the acute phase turns into a chronic one, and here the symptoms already depend on the pathogen that the person has caught and on its habitat, explains therapist Ekaterina Kosmacheva.

Prevention of worms in humans

As a rule, we learn the main rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we don’t follow them.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, after going to the toilet, and after going outside.
• It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits, herbs, and after washing, “douse” them with boiling water.
• Meat, fish and seafood need a long heat treatment.
• In everyday life, you need to use only high-quality, safe water.
• Each family member should have personal hygiene products and utensils.
• The house should be kept clean, regularly wet cleaning.
• Pets need regular preventive anthelmintic therapy.