How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man had a stomach ache caused by worms

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

Helminthiases or helminthic attacks are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms that live in the human body. According to the latest data, 1 in 100 people is a hidden carrier, and about 80% of new cases of this disease occur in children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiases are recorded not only in less developed countries: often outbreaks of enterobiasis and ascariasis occur among the wealthy population segment.

The wide distribution of helminthiases is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the early stages. Also, symptoms of an attack do not appear when the number of parasites in the body is small. Patients may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time, but still infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

Today, there are 360 species of worms known to be dangerous to humans. Mostly parasites in the human intestine or liver, but, depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (eggs, larvae, adults), any organ and system can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs. , etc. Further on.

The main damage caused by helminths is:

the gradual development of anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms take nutrients from the intestines, as a result of which the body does not receive enough micro and macro elements, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal wall and damage the surrounding tissue during migration. Microscopic wounds and ulcers form on organs, the gastrointestinal mucosa is constantly inflamed, and the risk of infection increases;
pathology of the nervous system.Worms not only destroy the tissues around them, but also release waste products - toxins that have a damaging effect on the central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes nervous, irritable, and disturbed by headaches, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reaction.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic attacks, skin rashes often develop, itching appears, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

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

Helminths are common representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworms– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not followed;
roundworm– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During the development cycle, they can migrate along with the bloodstream and lymph, entering the lungs and heart;
whipworm- roundworms that live in the large intestine. It penetrates into the mucous membrane with the help of a thin head, damages the integrity of the tissue and causes microulcers;
opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. Parasites clog the ducts, cause bile stagnation and interfere with the normal function of organs;
curved head- roundworms that are parasites of the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with larvae, which penetrate the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body;
cattle tapeworm- tapeworms reach a length of up to 10 meters. Occupies almost the entire intestine, which leads to severe fatigue;
intestinal eel– roundworms that penetrate the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, worms move closer to the anus, causing severe itching in the anal area;
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.

Parasitologists treat helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to the WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people worldwide suffer from soil-transmitted helminthiases. There is a common misconception that you can only get worms by consuming low-quality food: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed meat and fish. But that 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 humans, such a puncture is insensitive - it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also become infected with parasites by inhaling microscopic eggs with dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organ is affected by the helminthic attack, the patient may experience conjunctivitis, cough, headache, swelling, and tremors in the limbs. In cases of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain appears, hair falls out, and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can cause delays in physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

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

How to know if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of helminthic infestation. In the early stages, the disease can be almost symptomless. The patient does not experience pain; The immune system can suppress the effects of pathogens, toxins and allergens for some time. As a rule, deterioration begins during the period of larval migration or with an increase in the number of worms. The stronger the infestation (that is, the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, traveling without symptoms of invasion is dangerous - the patient infects others, and his health gradually worsens. To detect the disease, it is necessary to undergo periodic preventive examinations in the hospital. As part of prevention, the therapist prescribes a test for worms at least once a year. If you live in an endemic area - once every six months.

Helminth analysis

To detect helminthic infestation, the following tests may be prescribed:

stool analysis.Stools are checked for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require preliminary preparation: the patient only needs to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiasis.To determine enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to take a scraping (smear) from the anal area. Usually the test is set in the morning before going to the toilet;
blood test for certain antibodies.The most revealing study that allows us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchis, acne, and lamblia.

How long is a stool test for worms valid?

A stool test for worms allows specialists to detect helminth eggs (if any). This study does not provide a 100% guarantee of detection, because the number of eggs depends on the life cycle of the worms and periodically they may not be detected in the feces, even if the invasion remains. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend taking stool tests two or three times with a short interval between tests.

Blood test for parasites

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

Worms are recognized by the human immune system as pathogens: the body begins to produce specific antibodies to fight the parasite. This is what the analysis revealed.

Which test for worms is better?

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

Where to go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminthic attack, you must make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the early stages, helminthiasis does not have specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one has worms. As a rule, patients complain of mild pain: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not disappear within a week or the condition returns periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you feel unwell), you should see your doctor. Bad health attacks may be associated with parasite migration.

Which doctor treats worms in humans?

Treatment of parasitic infestations is carried out by infectious disease specialists or parasitologists. But you should not immediately see 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 a gastroenterologist.

How to treat helminthiasis?

If worms are detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at combating certain types of worms. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms at every stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, one dose of tablets is sufficient, but sometimes a course of medication is required - the treatment is developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed treatment tactics - this can cause worm eggs to remain in the body, which will then cause a relapse.

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

Helminthiasis: treatment with folk remedies

There are a sufficient number of methods to treat helminthiases with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume large amounts of food with strong essential oils: for example, drink clove infusion or eat garlic. Such methods are not only ineffective, but also dangerous.

If the intestines are injured by worms, then consuming products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation to the mucous membrane, increasing pain and problems with bowel movements.

You should also not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not trigger their migration, i. e. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe invasive treatment can only be done 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 his family members. It is also necessary to boil bedding and underwear and carry out wet cleaning using a disinfectant. In the future, to avoid helminthic attacks, it is recommended:

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

Helminth infections are highly treatable and do not cause serious damage to the body if detected in time. Therefore, the main thing is to get medical help in time. To avoid helminthiasis, it is necessary to follow hygiene rules and undergo regular examinations by a doctor.