Parasitesis a very common phenomenon that can be easily identified in most people during a standard medical examination.
Experts have many methods and methods to identify and diagnose worms in the body of a child and an adult. At the current stage of the development of medicine, it 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 breeds and lays eggs.
Further determination of the type, quantity and life cycle duration of worms in humans should be carried out in special clinics during a complete examination.
Types of worms in humans
Representatives of helminths are determined on the basis of general characteristics and lifestyle, life cycle and developmental characteristics. How worms manifest in humans, how long they live in the body and what diseases they cause are also taken into account.
Doctors can detect the presence of the following types of worms in the body:
- nematode, roundworm.Their life cycle is not more than 40 years, they are parasites in the intestines. May affect the respiratory system and stomach. Representatives: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- tapeworms. They can live in the intestines and migrate throughout the body for about 20 years. Large sizes reach 8-10 meters. tapeworms from beef and pork, individuals of tapeworms;
- flowers, trematodes.They appear in internal organs and subcutaneous tissues. It acts on all organs and can be life-threatening.
Each of the above groups has the most common representatives in humans.
And each of them poses a serious threat to the health and normal functioning of the body:
- roundwormThe cause may be: appendicitis, jaundice, inflammation of the bile ducts;
- pinworm.It leads to complications: gastritis, allergic reactions, nervous disorders;
- whipped upIt can cause dysentery, rectal prolapse;
- Tokhocara.It manifests itself with decreased vision, bronchitis, necrosis of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, brain function;
- echinococcus.Anaphylactic shock, urticaria, liver enlargement, cyst formation and death are dangerous;
- Trichinella.Infiltration can cause damage to the heart and brain;
- Giardia.Results: anemia, gastritis, Quincke's edema, pancreatitis;
- corn worms.May cause intestinal dysfunction;
- wide band.Contributes to the development of anemia, hypovitaminosis, intestinal tissue necrosis, spinal cord injury;
- filariae.It can cause diseases: conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, asthma, abscess; pulmonary flukes. They cause enteritis, bronchitis, fever, meningitis, tachycardia.
These are some of the commonly mentioned parasites. There are worms that are less dangerous, but still harmful. Therefore, it is important to study them in laboratory conditions.
Infestation with worms
It is not difficult for parasites to penetrate the human body. In the environment, they cannot be detected or identified because they are often in the stage of tiny larvae or microscopic eggs.
There are certain methods and ways of infection:
- bodies of water In most parasites, the larvae spend the intermediate stages of their life cycle in both fresh and salt water. Sometimes they occur in intermediate hosts such as fish and shellfish;
- wet sand or soil. Together with feces, mainly eggs are released to develop further or to look for a temporary carrier;
- dirty unprocessed vegetables, berries, fruits, greens. Parasites coming from the soil penetrate the surface of the products;
- animals: homeless and homeless. Temporary media.
Even an ordinary walk with a child or a trip to the store, a call to the elevator or dirty handles can cause the appearance of parasites. To prevent this, it is necessary to observe simple personal hygiene rules, regularly carry out wet cleaning at home and ventilate the room where the workplace is located.
Worms in adults, their signs and symptoms
Only the characteristics cannot unequivocally determine whether a person has a helminthic infection.
How can you check if you really have worms?
To do this, there are general characteristic signs of the presence of worms in a person and methods of determining them:
- changes in appetite, including its increase and decrease;
- nervousness, fear, excitement. Fatigue and weakness may also occur;
- snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep;
- intestinal problems, including both diarrhea and constipation;
- swelling;
- headache, dizziness;
- swelling of limbs;
- itching in the anus;
- increased body temperature;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- skin rash, redness;
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the stomach;
- fragility of hair and nails.
These are some of the symptoms that can indicate the presence of worms in adults. However, these symptoms can also be characteristic of other diseases. Therefore, only a proper examination will allow you to get an accurate result.
Symptoms of worms in children
Children who still have sufficient immunity and protective protein cells are often susceptible to more serious consequences of the presence of parasites in the body:
- intestinal dysfunction, dysbacteriosis;
- swelling, flatulence;
- skin inflammation, urticaria;
- forced urination or urinary incontinence;
- respiratory diseases. Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma;
- Inflammation of the genital organs is possible in girls;
- vomiting, nausea;
- itching and burning in the anus;
- severe aching abdominal pain and colic;
- sleep disorder;
- irritability,
- Newborns may have serious complications or developmental delays.
It is quite difficult to identify worms yourself, and many parents do not think about their existence. By trying to treat children without the help of specialists, they can aggravate the spread of parasites in the child's body. In such cases, the results are unpredictable.
Tests for various worms
How to understand that a person develops helminthiases?
Accurate determination of the presence of worms in adults and children is possible only with the help of specially developed research methods.
Depending on the symptoms and signs of parasites, the doctor prescribes appropriate research methods:
- scratchThis is a traditional and simple method that involves taking a smear from the anus to determine the presence of worm eggs;
- stool analysis.This method has been tested, but it is not always effective, because not all helminths are found in the discharge;
- chemical general blood test.With indicators of a low hemoglobin level, it allows determining only the inflammatory process, and also takes leukocytes into account;
- CPR diagnostics. This method consists in studying the parasite DNA material found in the blood in comparison with the available samples. Provides accurate determination of the class of helminths and their 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 a protective response of the immune system against worms.
In addition, ultrasound, X-ray and tomography can be prescribed. The need for them is related to the migration of parasites in all organs and their frequent change of location. A biopsy or probing method is also used to obtain material from the affected organs. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the class of helminths and their effect on organs.
Worms: treatment for adults and children
In most cases, it is important to understand that the treatment process for diseases caused by helminth infections is complex. It is not always possible to completely get rid of the larvae and eggs of all parasites in one course of treatment. Patients should often 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.
Typically, drugs with a broad spectrum of action are prescribed.
It is necessary to be especially careful when taking medicine for young children and newborns. Strong components of drug anthelmintics are not always suitable for an organism with low immunity.
Only an experienced doctor can prescribe drugs according to the age of the patient and the severity of the disease.
Frequently asked questions
What signs can indicate that a person has worms?
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?
For the diagnosis of worms, stool tests for worm eggs, blood tests for anti-worm antibodies, as well as survey diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and X-ray can be used.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Be on the lookout for symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, such as persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances, and allergic reactions.
Tip #2
Contact your doctor for special stool or blood tests to check for worm eggs or antibodies to them.