How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infestations are observed in more than 1. 5 billion people. You can get worms through food, raw water, or contact with a sick person.

Helminthoses or helminthic infestations are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms living in the human body. According to recent data, 1 in 100 people are latent carriers, and about 80% of new cases of the disease occur in children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiasis is recorded not only in underdeveloped countries: outbreaks of enterobiosis and ascariasis often occur among the wealthy population.

The widespread prevalence of helminthiasis is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the early stages. Also, if the number of parasites in the body is low, no signs of infestation are visible. The patient may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time, but still infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

Today, there are 360 known species of worms that are dangerous to humans. Most of them parasitize in human intestines or liver, but depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (egg, larva, adult), any organs and systems: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs can be damaged. and so on. Later.

The main damage caused by helminths:

gradual development of anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms consume nutrients from the intestines, as a result, the body does not receive enough micro- and macroelements, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal walls and damage the surrounding tissues during their migration. Microscopic wounds and ulcers form in the organs, the gastrointestinal mucosa is constantly inflamed and the risk of infection increases;
pathologies of the nervous system.Worms not only destroy the tissues surrounding them, but also release waste products - toxins that have a devastating effect on the central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes irritable, nervous, worried with headache, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reactions.Worm waste (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic infections, a skin rash often develops, itching appears, nausea and vomiting are possible.

Helminthic infections in children can cause developmental delay and cause dangerous complications: from perforation of the intestines (through ulcers) to paralysis of the arms and legs.

Helminths are typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworms– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and large intestine. Infection occurs when personal hygiene is not followed;
roundworms– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During development, they can migrate to the lungs and heart along with blood and lymph flow;
whipped up- a roundworm that lives in the large intestine. With the help of a thin head, it penetrates the mucous membrane, disrupts the integrity of tissues and causes microulcers;
opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. Parasites block the ducts, cause stagnation of bile and disrupt the normal functioning of the organ;
crooked heads- roundworms parasitizing the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with larvae that pierce the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body;
the bull built a ribbon- a tapeworm up to 10 meters long. It involves almost the entire intestine, causing severe emaciation;
gut eel– roundworms that penetrate the large intestine and colon. To lay eggs, worms approach the anus, causing severe itching in the anal region;
Echinococcus– tapeworms that affect not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also the liver and lungs. They cause echinococcosis, a disease in which cysts form in various organs of a person.

A parasitologist treats helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people in the world suffer from soil-transmitted helminthiasis. There is a common misconception that you can only get worms by consuming low-quality foods: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed meat and fish. But this is not true. Some parasites can penetrate through intact skin.

Helminth larvae penetrate the skin, enter the capillaries and spread throughout the body along with the bloodstream. For people, such punctures are not sensitive - it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also become infected with parasites by inhaling microscopic eggs along with dust.

How to tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organs are affected by the helminthic infection, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headaches, swelling, and tremors. In cases of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain occurs, hair falls out, and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can cause retardation of physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans include:

faintness, weakness, fatigue;
allergies such as skin rashes, cough, asthma attacks;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach pain;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss even if the appetite is good;
sleep problems, insomnia;
inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
unexplained fever;
pain in muscles and joints without exercise;
snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
presence of worms in feces;
itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).

How to find out if you have worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of helminthic infection. In the initial stages, the disease may be virtually asymptomatic. The patient does not feel pain, the immune system suppresses the pathogenic effects of toxins and allergens for a while. As a rule, an exacerbation begins during the migration of larvae or with an increase in the number of worms. The stronger the infestation (i. e. the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic course of the infection is dangerous - the patient infects others and his health deteriorates. In order to detect the disease, it is necessary to periodically undergo a preventive examination in the hospital. As part of prevention, the therapist prescribes tests for worms at least once a year. If you live in an endemic region - once every six months.

Analysis of helminths

The following tests can be prescribed to detect helminthic infection:

stool analysis.Feces are checked for the presence of helminth eggs. Preliminary preparation for the analysis is not required: the patient only needs to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiosis.To determine enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to take a scraping (smear) from the anal area. Usually the test is prescribed in the morning before going to the toilet;
blood test for specific antibodies.The most revealing study that allows you to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchs, pinworms and lamblia.

How reliable is the stool test for worms?

A stool test for worms allows experts to detect helminth eggs (if any). This study does not guarantee 100% detection, as the number of eggs depends on the life cycle of the worms and may not be detected in the feces from time to time despite the presence of infestation. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend doing a stool test two or three times with a short break between tests.

Blood test for parasites

A blood test for specific antibodies is the most informative method for detecting helminthic infection. After the analysis, the doctor can not only tell about the presence of worms, but also determine their type and therefore choose the most effective therapeutic complex.

Worms are recognized as pathogens by the human immune system: the body begins to produce special antibodies to fight the parasites. The analysis reveals that.

Which test is better for worms?

If you suspect a parasitic infection, the doctor will prescribe several tests. A comprehensive study allows you to determine the presence of worms with 100% accuracy, determine the type and stage of the life cycle. It cannot be said that any analysis is better or worse: to increase the reliability of the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct several tests.

Where should you go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminthic infection, you should make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the early stages, there are no specific symptoms of helminthosis, so it is very difficult to suspect that you or your loved ones have worms. As a rule, the patient complains of mild discomfort: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not disappear within a week or if the condition returns periodically (for example, if you feel bad once every 3-4 months), you should consult your doctor. Attacks of poor health can be attributed to the migration of parasites.

What doctor treats worms in humans?

Treatment of parasitic infections is carried out by an infectious disease specialist or a parasitologist. However, you should not immediately consult a specialist doctor: it is better to consult a therapist. He will prescribe a series of tests and, if necessary, refer you to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.

How to treat helminthosis?

If worms are detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at combating a specific type of worm. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms in all stages of their life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, one dose of tablets is enough, but sometimes a course of drug treatment is required - the treatment is prepared by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed treatment tactics - this can lead to worm eggs remaining in the body, which subsequently leads to re-infection.

In addition to antiparasitic drugs, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins that eliminate vitamin deficiency, and antihistamines (for allergic reactions) can be prescribed.

Helminthosis: treatment with folk remedies

There are quite a few methods for treating helminths with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume large amounts of food containing strong essential oils: for example, drink clove infusions or eat garlic. Such methods are not only ineffective, but also dangerous.

If the intestines are damaged by worms, then the consumption of products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane, increased pain and problems with bowel movements.

You should not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs cause the death of worms, but do not cause their evacuation, ie. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of infection is possible only under the supervision of an experienced doctor!

Prevention of helminthiasis

Treatment of helminthiasis should be carried out not only by the patient, but also by all members of his family. It is also necessary to boil bedding and underwear and carry out wet cleaning using disinfectants. To prevent helminthic infection in the future, it is recommended:

control the quality of the food you eat: do not eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and herbs, unprocessed meat or raw fish;
observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not use other people's towels and utensils;
undergo a comprehensive examination once a year, including tests for worm eggs.

Helminth infections are highly treatable and do not cause serious harm to the body if detected in time. Therefore, the main thing is to consult a doctor on time. In order to prevent helminthosis, it is necessary to observe hygiene rules and undergo regular medical examinations.