As you know, parasites are considered to be the most resistant organisms to the external environment. To date, about 250 species are recognized as helminths that can infect humans. They all pose a threat to the health and, in more severe cases, to the lives of those infected. Knowledge of the types of helminths in humans and their properties greatly facilitates treatment and helps in drawing up an effective prevention plan.
What kind of worms do humans have?
It takes a long time to get familiar with the types of worms. The fact is, scientists have not yet been able to provide the most detailed information on how to classify parasites. This is to a greater extent due to the fact that a given area is characterized by the presence of specific helminthic invasions. In this regard, it is almost impossible to get data on all types of human helminths on earth.
Therefore, the worms most often diagnosed in the southern zone are practically non-existent in the population of the northern geographic regions. For the temperate climate zone and mid-latitudes, about 20 types of worms are recognized as the most common. They can conditionally be divided into three main categories:
- Round parasitic worms (nematodes).
- tapeworms (cestodes).
- Flat worms (trematodes).
1. Round and flat helminths
Each of the above groups encompasses a wide variety of parasitic organisms for which a brief description is required. Most often in children and adults it is necessary to treat such representatives of worms that belong to the class of trematodes:
- Chinese coincidence;
- cat coincidence;
- Liver fluke.
Among the nematodes, there are 7 of the most famous and common types of parasites that inhabit the body of all ages. The roundworms that are transmitted by all possible means are:
- pinworms;
- roundworm;
- intestinal acne;
- whipworm;
- Trichinella;
- trichostrongylide;
- hookworms.
2nd Cestode invasions
Tapeworms (or cestodes) are parasitic worms that pose the greatest threat to the body. The diagnosis of such a helminth infestation occurs much less often than infections with round parasites in children and adults. However, infection with the following types of worms is associated with the most serious consequences:
- bullish tapeworm;
- dwarf tapeworm;
- pork tapeworm;
- wide band;
- Echinococcus;
- rat tapeworm.
Acanthocephalus can be called one of the rarest types of helminth invasions. These include the giant ridge and the pearl comb. Such worms can only penetrate the body in the rarest of cases, for example when they eat an insect or a larva infected with parasites.
Why are worms dangerous to humans?
In order to be able to adequately assess the degree of risk to the patient's health in the event of a helminth settlement, it must first be determined to which types of worms they belong. Treatment and its duration are determined depending on the type of worms. The main damage from the presence of parasites in the body is felt by the intestines - the vast majority of all helminths are localized in this organ. All nutrients that should be ingested and will benefit a person are selected by worms.
In the meantime, other types of worms not only settle in the intestines and "steal" all the necessary valuable micro-elements from humans. They actively reproduce and affect other vital human organs and systems. In addition to the heart muscle, liver and lungs, worms can cause tremendous damage to the brain and blood vessels. Worms can even infect the eyes.
Main routes of worm infection
You can protect yourself and your loved ones from the outbreak of the disease if you know how helminths of a certain species get into the body. Only in this way can all necessary measures be taken in good time and the risk of infection minimized. It is known about the main transmission routes that:
- The infection occurs through soil and water. If you walk on the floor with your bare feet, the risk of laying eggs in it increases many times. An unverified source of drinking, and in common cases even water from a common water supply, may contain worm larvae.
- Helminth eggs get into the body together with animal products. The result of helminthic invasions is inadequate or substandard processing of meat, fish, seafood, and eggs. People who prefer exotic Asian cuisine are at risk of contracting worms. Er, sushi, sashimi are based on raw fish and meat.
- Some types of parasites can settle in the intestines if they enter the intestines with unwashed vegetables and fruits. Rejection of animal products does not solve the problem of the likelihood of developing helminthiasis. As mentioned earlier, eggs from worms can be found in the soil. It is recommended to pour boiling water over the fruits before use.
- Worms are transmitted to humans and animals. Pets don't often become a source of infection for their owners. However, worms can be found both in the animal and on its fur. From dogs and cats, parasite eggs fall into the ground and continue to spread with melt water.
Transmission of parasites from sick people
Worms can also move from one infected person to another. There are several ways to transmit helminthic invasions:
- from unwashed hands (for example when shaking hands, hugging);
- when using common utensils;
- while wearing someone else's underwear;
- Group use of personal care products by several people.
The eggs of pinworms mostly pass from person to person, which often fall under the nail plates and linger there for a long time. The spread of this type of worms in children is explained by the neglect of the elementary rules of cleanliness. A child can simply put their hands in their mouths or bite their nails, so pinworms will have no difficulty entering a new human body. The task of parents at this stage is to timely identify the signs of helminthiasis and prevent the development of helminth invasions in their baby, beginning treatment for the disease immediately.
Symptoms of the acute stage of helminthiasis
It is not easy to spot early signs of parasitic infection in an adult or child. Diagnosing the presence of worms is also complicated by the fact that the incubation period in some species can be up to a year and a half.
As a rule, the first symptoms of a worm infestation appear after various periods of time. In addition, the course of helminthiasis can conditionally be divided into two stages:
- acute stage (does not last on average more than two months after the incubation period);
- chronic (characterized by the development of sexually mature parasites and can last for decades).
In the acute phase of the invasion, the most important, clearly expressed symptom can be described as an allergic reaction. Due to the production of antibodies against the migration of parasitic larvae, pathological manifestations on the skin should be alerted. An indicator of infection with any type of worm in humans is the following symptoms:
- hyperemia of the skin;
- Burning and itching;
- small rashes on the surface of the epidermis or mucous membranes;
- slight enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- local edema;
- chest pain (up to attacks of suffocation);
- vomiting and persistent nausea;
- diarrhea or constipation.
In addition, dangerous pathologies such as pneumonia, meningoencephalitis and hepatitis can become complications of the appearance of other living things in the body.
Reliable confirmation of the presence of helminths in the internal organs is the index of eosinophils in the clinical blood test. The increased level of these particles is caused by dysproteinemia - a violation of the normal numerical relationship between protein fractions.
Types of symptoms in the chronic form of the disease
The signs of chronic helminthiasis in humans are determined by the localization of the colonization of parasites. In simple terms, the manifestations of the disease depend on which organ becomes the main habitat for a particular type of worm.
In particular, the most common parasitism in the intestines of roundworms can occur without the slightest symptoms. When larger types of worms are affected, once the worms reach puberty, signs of the disease will be felt. Dyspeptic disorders in adults and children, pain syndrome and neurotic manifestations are its characteristic features. Often, ascariasis is characterized by the development of intestinal obstruction and pancreatitis, and the risk of oncological disease increases.
Medicines against parasites
It is necessary to undergo helminthiasis treatment as early as possible. Effective therapy is knowing exactly what type of parasite has settled in the body before you start. There are many anthelmintics available today.
These are different types of drugs that can target a specific type of worm. Stronger worm drugs are broad spectrum drugs and are great for treating combined helminthiasis. Both are considered toxic, have many side effects and contraindications. The use of such drugs should only be done with extreme caution as recommended by a doctor.
Most types of worms in adults require long and permanent treatment. Often parasitologists prescribe the simultaneous administration of several anthelmintics.
The scheme and dosage of a particular drug should be determined exclusively by a specialist. This will help avoid allergies and serious side effects. For some types of helminth infections, treatment must be repeated. Often this is due to the fact that during the first therapy, most of the adult worms were neutralized, but some forms of larvae and helminthic eggs still remain in the patient's body. If not treated again, the worms will return.
Basic preventive measures
Drug therapy is undoubtedly an important part of the process of getting rid of and, in some cases, preventing parasites. However, in order to cope with invasive worms, you need to follow the simplest rules for preventing worms. The treatment will not work if you ignore the following rules:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
- If it is not possible to clean the skin of your hands with soap, it is advisable to use damp antibacterial wipes.
- All food should be rinsed thoroughly before cooking.
- It is important to expose meat and fish to prolonged exposure to heat.
- Only use water from trusted sources for drinking.
- At least once a year, it is extremely important to be tested for worms.