Unfortunately, even in modern developed times there is a risk of helminth infection. In order to be able to treat and prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary, at the very least, to become familiar with the main types of worms.
Types of worms
In medical sources, where you can find the answer to the question of what types of worms a person has, they provide information on a large number of types. Of course, certain types are the most common. According to the classification, they can be divided into 3 main types. These are: roundworms and tapeworms, as well as flukes.
round worms
The first on the list of types of worms in humans is the labeling of roundworms. They are also known as nematodes. They got their name because of their body structure, because if you make a cross-section of an individual, you can see the resulting roundness. Despite the fact that there are more than 20 thousand of their species in the world, only a few of them are usually found in humans.
The most common roundworms include:
- A rotten worm. These worms are quite large in size. They can reach half a meter in length. The width varies between 4-5 cm. The color is usually pink, but in different cases it can be more white or more red. These helminths are mainly localized in the small intestine, but in rare cases they can also be in the bile ducts. At the same time, the larvae move quite easily around the body, through the bloodstream. Their last stop is the lungs. Here there are the most comfortable conditions for their maturation, because this type of parasite belongs to anaerobes. When they become more viable, they move into the intestines. Roundworms have a long lifespan, which can be 12-14 months. Outside the human body, these worms live in soil conditions, where they lay several thousand eggs a day;
- Pinworms. It is most often found in children, because the cause of infection can be poorly washed hands or products. Somewhat less often, they enter the body with dust particles. Their size is much smaller than the size of roundworms. Males reach 3 mm in length, and females - up to 13-14 mm. The color is completely white. Their favorite habitat is the beginning of the large intestine. Eggs are laid in the anus, closer to the anus. Their lifespan is also much shorter than that of roundworms and is only a few months.
- Trichinella. These worms of modest size, reaching only 4 mm in length, most often enter the living human body as part of infected meat. Larvae live in muscle tissue, mainly in oculomotor and masticatory tissue, but adults prefer to localize in the intestines. Trichinella is dangerous for humans, because without proper treatment it can be fatal.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are characterized by a flat body structure and the complete absence of a gastrointestinal tract. The length of individuals can reach several meters, which is why they look like a long ribbon. They prefer to live in the intestines or stomach canals. Among them are the following types:
- Bull tapeworm. This is one of the largest varieties of tapeworms. The length of the individual can reach 15-20 meters. The worm sticks to the surface of the small intestine and begins to absorb substances necessary for a person. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, he can live up to 10 years. Infection usually occurs by eating contaminated, undercooked meat;
- Dwarf tapeworm. It got its name because of its small size, which is 4-5 mm on average. You can get infected with such a tapeworm through poorly washed vegetables and even dirty hands;
- Wide band. Another big view. Its length can be up to 10 meters, its width is usually greater than that of other worms. Larvae enter the body of an infected fish and grow into an adult in just 3. 5 weeks. It lives mainly in the small intestine. Life expectancy can reach tens of years;
- Echinococcus. Small worms, whose length, as a rule, does not exceed 5 mm. Infection occurs from infected animals: cats and dogs. This species differs in that individuals are not localized in the intestines, but in the lungs or liver. They are dangerous because they can cause the formation of cysts that later require surgical removal.
These worms can be very harmful to the body, so the sooner they are discovered, the better.
flukes
Butterflies, like tapeworms, are flat parasites due to their body structure. They are also called liver worms, because their main habitat is the liver and bile ducts. Their main types are:
- Fluke. Also known as cat fluke. It lives mainly in rivers and lakes, which means that it enters the human body together with infected fish that has undergone poor processing. Pets can be carriers. Individuals are quite small and rarely reach 12-13 mm. Inside a person they can live in absolutely every organ;
- Chinese or oriental fluke. It is characterized by a transparent red body color and a small size, no more than 2. 5 cm. It enters the human body identically to an ordinary fluke. It can lay more than 3. 5 thousand eggs per day;
- Fasciola. This is a larger flatworm, its length can be 5-7 cm. Viable only in freshwater conditions. It dies in salty springs. A person can become infected with fasciola by drinking raw contaminated water, for example, while bathing, as well as by eating plants. The risk is especially high if they are aquatic or wild species.
Liver flukes, although small in size, can be dangerous to humans. The patient, in addition to the standard symptoms, may develop a fever.
The simplest organisms
The simplest organisms have existed on Earth for millions of years. To date, science reads more than 14. 5 thousand species. Like other parasites, their favorite habitat is the soil, water in reservoirs and, of course, the human body. They can remain for some time on the surface of vegetables and fruits, the use of which often causes infection.
In the vast majority of cases, when it comes to infecting a person with protozoa, Giardia is meant. Their vitality is to be envied. They withstand even the most unfavorable environmental conditions.
In their structure, they are characterized by the presence of four pairs of flagella and a special disc that performs the suction function. Thanks to them, Giardia reliably adheres to the inner surface of the intestine and begins to parasitize.
Manifestation symptoms
The fact that worms appeared in the human body can be understood by a large number of signs. But most of them are of a general nature, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. This can confuse the patient, forcing him to look for the cause in other diseases.
So, during this period, the patient may notice:
- Fatigue, malaise, weariness;
- Pale skin;
- Dizziness and sometimes headache;
- Increased anxiety, irritability. Expressed aggression can be observed in children;
- Worsening sleep. Usually worried about insomnia;
- Joint pain, pulling sensation in muscles;
- Increased salivation.
Fatigue is one of the signs of the presence of worms.
The following signs, reminiscent of an allergic reaction or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, may mislead the patient:
- Yellowing of the skin;
- Body rash;
- Attacks of bronchial asthma;
- Stool disorders: constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- A feeling of nausea, as well as vomiting;
- Pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium;
- Slightly elevated body temperature.
But the more typical symptoms for this situation, which most often make people suspect that they have parasites, are:
- Weight loss for no apparent reason. At the same time, it becomes very difficult to regain the lost pounds;
- Itching in the anus;
- Bruxism. This phenomenon is expressed in teeth grinding during sleep.
Despite the fact that there are many signs of the presence of parasites in the body, sometimes this phenomenon is completely asymptomatic, so people may not even be aware of it for months.
Diagnostics
Recognizing helminths in the body is not at all easy. The standard procedure in this case is examination of feces for ova. I must say that sometimes it may be necessary to take an analysis from 3 to 5 times to detect worms in the stool.
How to recognize certain types of worms, only a doctor knows. It is impossible to do it yourself without the test results. Depending on the symptoms present, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:
- Blood analysis. In this case, the number of indicators such as proteins and eosinophils is analyzed;
- Analysis of scrapings from the anus;
- Vaginal scraping analysis.
Also, in some cases additional measures may be required. such as:
- sputum examination;
- Study of the composition of urine and bile;
- endoscopy;
- CT scanner;
- Ultrasound procedure.
After the parasites are identified, the doctor draws up a treatment plan.
Treatment
Self-treatment of parasites is not allowed. This is due to the following factors:
- The preparations contain different active substances, which means that they have a harmful effect on different types of helminths;
- Some drugs can destroy only the larvae of worms, but not the adults;
- All medicines have some side effects.
In this regard, it is necessary to choose medicines based on the results of diagnostic procedures.
Preparations may have the following active ingredients:
- mebendazole. Affects only pinworms;
- Diethylcarbamazine. Medicines based on it are prescribed if there are filaria in the patient's body;
- Levamisole. It has a wide spectrum of action. It destroys both pinworms and roundworms, as well as other worms;
- Hydroxysinaphtoate bephenia. Effectively fights against roundworms;
- Albendazole. Necessary in the treatment of diseases caused by echinococcus;
- Piperazine adipate. It is used to remove round and pinworms from the body.
Traditional medicine also did not stand aside in this matter. It offers different ways that may not always be able to completely cleanse the body of parasites, but, at the very least, they can slow down their reproduction and development.
Examples of such methods are:
- Pumpkin seeds. They are taken in their pure form or a decoction is made on their basis;
- Watermelon seeds. Apply similarly to the pumpkin;
- Wormwood tincture;
- Tincture of alcohol and wormwood juice;
- Garlic;
- Tansy;
- Sand immortelle.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that before using folk methods you should get your doctor's approval and, of course, rule out an allergic reaction to the components used.
What are dangerous worms for humans
Worms do not only live in the human body, they literally parasitize, take away useful substances, and also suck blood. The body experiences a state of intoxication. The result of a long stay of helminths inside a person can be such negative consequences as:
- Weakening of the immune system;
- Violation of the gastrointestinal tract. Poor digestibility of food, appearance of ulcers;
- Development of allergies;
- cyst formation;
- Damage to the organs in which they live.
And don't forget that some types of parasites are very, very dangerous. Ignoring their presence can lead to the worst outcome.
Prevention
The vast majority of people have encountered worms at least once in their lives. Children are especially affected. And that is quite justified, apart from having weaker immunity compared to adults, they often neglect the rules of hygiene.
In general, methods that help reduce the risk of infection are not complicated at all. They think to themselves:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. Hands should not only be washed, but also washed well with soap;
- Vegetables, fruits, berries must be washed with plenty of water;
- Any meat: cattle, poultry or fish, should be washed well before cooking. The heat treatment must also be thorough. It is not worth taking a risk and cooking meat with blood if there is no confidence in its quality and safety;
- Periodic anthelmintic prophylaxis in children. It is best to do this in consultation with a doctor;
- Also, livestock and pets are subject to drug prophylaxis. At the same time, it makes no difference whether they live in the yard of a private house or in the room itself. If a dog or cat eats raw meat, worm prevention should be carried out without fail.
Such actions will help to avoid meeting parasites as long as possible.