Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasites present in the body. Treatment definitely requires an integrated approach, only in this case it will be possible to overcome this problem. Medicines and traditional methods are used for this purpose.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in people, because the symptoms of helminthic infestation are very similar to the pathologies of many diseases of the intestine and stomach, gall bladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What kinds of worms are there?
Worms are generally divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- tapeworms;
- flakes.
Roundworms are thin and long worms that are yellowish or pink in color. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, and this can occur when contaminated food is consumed. Larvae hatch in the intestines and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood flow, they are carried along the internal organs and cause minor bleeding. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the picture, one of the signs of helminthic infection is abdominal pain) it is possible to emphasize the presence of fever and body pain. Often, no one pays special attention to these symptoms, because they associate them with a cold. Meanwhile, the larvae are transferred to the lung tissue along with the blood stream. From there, after they mature, they penetrate the oral cavity and then the intestines, grow and multiply. Throughout their lives, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestines, which causes poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults:
- stomach ache;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss, body rashes and other allergy symptoms may appear.
Pinworms are a major concern in childhood. These are small, gray roundworms. Their appearance is associated with non-compliance with hygiene rules and the consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection through domestic animals is possible. Pinworms live and multiply in the intestines.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, because self-infection occurs constantly. At night, pinworms lay eggs in folds near the anus. At this time, very intense itching and painful sensations are noted. General health deteriorates significantly, because parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. It looks like this:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach pain.
Another lump is the worm whip. The back is thick, barrel-shaped, and the head is very thin, hairy. Using a thin part of the body, parasites penetrate the intestinal walls and feed on blood. Infection occurs when whipworm eggs enter food.
The parasite damages the intestinal walls, causes intoxication of the body, which often leads to appendicitis.
A broad tapeworm is a long worm that belongs to the tapeworm family. This flat parasite reaches very large sizes. Larvae go through several stages during development. Intermediate hosts are river fish and crustaceans. One person consumes river fish infected with helminths, the second enters the body and begins to grow there.
Due to its large size, this parasite requires a lot of food. As a result, a person develops quite characteristic symptoms of worms, in particular, rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Beef and pork tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected by consuming undercooked or undercooked meat. The tapeworm's body consists of several flattened areas where the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Due to the presence of special suction cups and hooks, these parasites stick very firmly to the intestinal walls. They poison the human body with toxins and absorb all the nutrients. The main symptoms of worms include severe weakness, weight loss, nausea, intestinal dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines and dizziness. There are fainting spells.
When liver fluke enters the body, it causes opisthorchosis. You can become infected by consuming river fish that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment. If a person has this type of worms, the symptoms are expressed in the form of pain and a feeling of fullness on the right side, stool disturbances, and sometimes a slight yellowing of the skin can be observed. Most people consult a doctor with symptoms of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If the parasites are not removed from the body for a long time, liver cirrhosis and malignant tumors may develop.
Methods of infection
Before identifying the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, you need to understand exactly how the infection occurs. The main ways of infection of worms:
- through land;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open reservoirs.
Sometimes the source of infection can be the bite of biting insects. You can get infected through food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Main symptoms in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans are not always immediately recognized correctly. Parasites cause a number of symptoms. If they occur, you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the signs of worms in a person at the initial stage, this will allow you to avoid a number of diagnostic errors. Among the main features, it is worth highlighting:
- allergic skin rashes;
- cough often;
- a runny nose, the appearance of pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- nervousness.
If the worms are long, they form whole balls that prevent the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. As a result, people experience symptoms of worms such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Teeth grinding may occur.
Depression is observed against the background of constant chronic poisoning with waste products of worms. When parasites move through the body and damage tissues, a person begins to feel pain in the joints. If there are worms, the symptoms can be very different, only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis.
Signs of helminthic infection in childhood
Symptoms and signs of worms in a child are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether there are parasites in the intestines of the baby with such manifestations:
- increased activity;
- salivation;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling of the eyelids;
- craving for sweet foods;
- lethargy and drowsiness;
- symptoms of anemia;
- frequent colds.
If these signs and symptoms of worms are observed in a child, then there is a high probability of parasites in the body. In this case, you must consult a doctor to determine the diagnosis and correct and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute stage
In adults, the first symptoms of worms appear not immediately after infection, but after a few days. The average incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself in the form of allergic reactions. In the process of growth and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that cause intoxication of the body.
Among the allergic symptoms of worms in adults, the following are observed:
- swelling;
- rashes;
- skin itching;
- cough
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be ruled out. Some types of parasites can cause serious reactions such as swelling of the face. Especially complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of the rupture of the cyst. In this case, the risk of anaphylactic shock and death of the patient increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in an adult in the acute stage are not only allergic manifestations, but also an increase in temperature. With a severe infection, your health deteriorates significantly. Cough and chest pain are common.
Manifestations of the chronic stage
In the chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in adults mainly depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms can be observed:
- intestinal dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- swelling;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete substances that have a negative effect on the digestive process. There may be a lack of nutrients in the body.
Symptoms of worms in adults often include various psychological disorders. The more parasites there are in the body, the more obvious the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, it is necessary to emphasize headache, insomnia and inattention.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with trematodes or worms as they are also called. These parasites live in various organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms look like this:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- increase in temperature;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- trembling;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can cause the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. Intestinal form manifests itself in the form of pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea mixed with blood.
Conducting diagnostics
If symptoms of worms occur in a person, treatment should be carried out immediately after diagnosis. Several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used to detect the presence of parasites in the body. These include:
- related immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA tests;
- serological methods;
- x-ray;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
Enzyme immunoassay helps to determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as to determine their type. ELISA tests show the body's reaction when infected with parasites. This technique is not independent. It should be used in conjunction with other types of research.
Serological methods are used to diagnose helminthosis in the acute stage. Bioresonance diagnostics is a study that allows identifying parasites at a very early stage.
Modern diagnostic methods with high accuracy will help not only to recognize the fact of infection with worms, but also to determine to which species they belong, to determine their age, stage of development, which significantly speeds up the recovery process.
Drug treatment for adults
If symptoms of worms occur in adults, treatment should be carried out immediately, because only this will prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Treatment of helminthiasis involves the use of a number of procedures and drugs, as well as strict doctor's instructions.
In order to eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment necessarily involves taking certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds is aimed at destroying many types of worms. There are also drugs with a narrow target.
It should be noted that all drugs cause certain side effects, especially nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other symptoms of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, you should take an enterosorbent.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in adults, treatment can be carried out with anthelmintic drugs in the form of drops. This drug is very convenient to use, as it allows you to accurately calculate the dose, which often cannot be done with tablets, because they are covered with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of helminthic infestation, but they are highly toxic substances and can cause intoxication of the body.
Drug treatment for children
Parasites cause serious discomfort and deterioration of well-being. Therefore, it is necessary to start treatment immediately after the symptoms of worms appear in children. Medicines are available in the form of tablets and suspensions.
These drugs contain different active ingredients that are effective only against a certain type of parasite, so the drug can be used only after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, treatment is selected individually in order to effectively get rid of parasites and not harm the child's body. It is important to strictly follow the prescription, because the dosage is always selected separately for each child and depends on his weight, age and type of parasite.
Many medicines are prohibited for children under 12 kg.
Folk treatment
If there are signs of worms in the house, treatment can be carried out using traditional methods. Various herbs are used to fight helminths, which are no less effective than drugs. These include:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- sage;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminthic infections is to consume raw pumpkin seeds. As a preventive measure, you can use carrot juice, which is recommended to be consumed for 2 weeks, 200 ml each.
In addition to decoctions and tinctures, it is recommended to make enemas that will help eliminate helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Any of these means is used only in a strained form so that small particles of plants do not enter the intestines and do not damage the mucous membrane.
Prevention
It is recommended to carry out preventive measures regularly, as this will prevent helminth infection and further treatment for a long time. For prevention, you should try to avoid foci of infection with worms, and also use folk remedies. It is advisable to include preventive measures:
- to observe hygiene rules;
- eat only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- destruction of insects carrying helminth eggs at home;
- drink only boiled water;
- conducting drug prevention.
You should use medicines only after consulting a doctor, because they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.