Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasite present in the body. Treatment necessarily requires an integrated approach; only under these conditions this problem can be eliminated. For this purpose, traditional medicines and methods are used.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, because helminthic attacks are very similar in their symptoms to the pathology of many diseases of the intestines and stomach, gall bladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What types of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- tape worm;
- flukes.
Roundworms are thin and long worms with a yellowish or pink color. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are swallowed, which can happen if contaminated food is eaten. Larvae develop from eggs in the intestine and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood stream, they are carried throughout the internal organs, causing minor bleeding. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo one of the signs of helminthic attack is abdominal pain) one can highlight the presence of fever and body aches. Often no one pays special attention to these signs, because they associate them with a cold. Meanwhile, the larvae, along with the bloodstream, are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after maturity, they penetrate the oral cavity, and then into the intestine, where they grow and reproduce. During their life, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestine, which cause poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- stomachache;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss may occur, rashes may appear on the body, and other signs of allergies may appear.
In childhood, pinworms are a major concern. These are small gray roundworms. Their appearance is due to non-compliance with hygiene rules and the use of low-quality products. In addition, infection through pets is possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestine.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, because self-infection always occurs. At night, pinworms lay their eggs in the folds near the anus. At this time, very severe itching and painful sensations are observed. General health deteriorates significantly, because parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears in the form of:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomachache.
Another roundworm is the whipworm. The back is thick, barrel-shaped, and the head is very thin, hair-shaped. Using the thin part of the body, the parasite penetrates the intestinal wall and feeds on blood. Infection occurs when whipworm eggs enter food.
Parasites damage the intestinal wall, causing intoxication, which often leads to appendicitis.
Broad tapeworms are long worms that belong to the tapeworm family. This flat parasite reaches a very large size. Larvae go through several stages during development. Its intermediate hosts are river fish and crayfish. A person eats river fish infected with helminths, the latter of which enter the body, where they begin to develop.
This parasite is large in size, so it needs a lot of food. As a result, a person experiences quite characteristic symptoms of worms, in particular, rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting, and anemia.
Cattle and pig tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected by eating undercooked or undercooked meat. The tapeworm's body consists of several flat areas where the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of suction cups and special hooks, this parasite is very strongly attached to the intestinal wall. They suck up all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. Among the main symptoms of worms are severe weakness, weight loss, nausea, and intestinal dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines, and dizziness. There is a fainting spell.
When liver fluke enters the body, it causes opisthorchiasis. You can become infected by eating river fish that have not undergone adequate heat treatment. If a person has this type of worm, the symptoms are expressed in the form of pain and fullness on the right side, stool disturbances, and sometimes a slight yellowing of the skin can be observed. Most people go to the doctor with signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If the parasite is not removed from the body for a long time, cirrhosis of the liver and malignant tumors may form.
Method 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 by worms:
- through the ground;
- relationship with animals;
- food;
- open reservoir.
Sometimes the source of infection can be a stinging insect bite. You can become infected through food that has not undergone adequate heat treatment.
Main symptoms in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be identified correctly. Parasites cause several symptoms. If it happens, you definitely need to see a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person at an early stage, this will allow you to avoid some diagnostic errors. Among the main features it is necessary to highlight:
- allergic skin rash;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of a runny nose, pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- feeling nervous
If the worm is long, it forms a whole ball that prevents the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. As a result, symptoms of worms in humans appear, such as constipation, diarrhea and flatulence. Teeth grinding may occur.
Against the background of persistent chronic poisoning by worm waste products, depression is observed. When the parasite moves through the body and injures the tissues, a person begins to experience 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 infestation of children
Symptoms and signs of worms in children are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether the baby has parasites in the intestines with manifestations such as:
- increased activity;
- saliva;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling eyelids;
- cravings for sweet foods;
- lethargy and sleepiness;
- signs of anemia;
- frequent colds.
If the signs and symptoms of these worms are observed in children, then there is a high probability of the presence of parasites in the body. In this case, you should definitely visit a doctor for a diagnosis and prescribe the correct and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute stage
The first symptoms of worms in adults do not appear immediately after infection, but after several days. The average incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself in the form of an allergic reaction. During the process of growth and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that lead to body intoxication.
Among the symptoms of worm allergy in adults, the following are noted:
- swollen;
- rash;
- skin itching;
- cough.
In severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be ruled out. Some types of parasites can cause severe reactions such as facial swelling. Very complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of cyst rupture. In this case, the risk of anaphylactic shock and death of the patient increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in adults in the acute stage include not only allergic manifestations, but also an increase in temperature. With a severe infection, your health declines significantly. Cough and chest pain often appear.
Manifestations of the chronic stage
In the form of chronic infection, the symptoms of worms in adults largely depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms can be observed:
- intestinal dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- bloated stomach;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete substances that negatively affect 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 in the body, the more pronounced the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, it is necessary to highlight headache, insomnia, and loss of mind.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of getting infected with worms such as trematodes, or, as they are also called, flukes. This parasite lives in various organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms appear as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- temperature increase;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- shivering;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can cause the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. The intestinal form manifests itself in the form of pain, lack of appetite, and diarrhea mixed with blood.
Run diagnostics
If symptoms of worms occur in a person, treatment must be carried out immediately after diagnosis. To detect the presence of parasites in the body, several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used. This includes:
- related immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA test;
- serological techniques;
- X-rays;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
Enzyme immunoassay helps determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as identify the type. The ELISA test shows the body's response when infected with parasites. This technique is not free. It should be used in conjunction with other types of research.
Serological methods are used to diagnose helminthiasis in the acute stage. Bioresonance diagnostics is a study that allows you to identify parasites at an early stage.
Modern diagnostic techniques with high accuracy will help not only to recognize the fact of infection with worms, but also to determine the type, determine the age, stage of development, which significantly accelerates the recovery process.
Drug therapy for adults
If symptoms of worms occur in adults, treatment must be carried out immediately, because only this will prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Therapy for helminthiasis involves the use of various procedures and drugs, as well as strict doctor's instructions.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment must include taking certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds aims to destroy various types of worms. There are also narrowly targeted drugs.
Keep in mind that all drugs cause certain side effects, in particular, nausea, dizziness, weakness, stomach pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, you need to 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 medicine is very easy to use, because it allows you to calculate the dose exactly, which is often not possible with tablets, because they are coated with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of helminthic attacks, but they are very toxic substances and can cause intoxication.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites cause severe discomfort and deterioration in well-being. That is why, after symptoms of worms appear in children, treatment should be started immediately. Medicines are available in tablet form and in suspension form.
These drugs contain various active ingredients that are only effective against certain types of parasites, so the drug can be used only after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, treatment is selected individually to effectively remove parasites and not harm the child's body. It is important to strictly follow the recipe, because the dose is always selected separately for each child and depends on his weight, age and type of parasite.
Many medicines are prohibited for children weighing less than 12 kg.
People's recovery
If you have symptoms of worms at home, treatment can be carried out using traditional methods. To combat helminthiases, various herbs are used, which are no less effective than drugs. This includes the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- sage brush;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminthic infestations is to eat 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 also recommended to do an enema that will help get rid of helminths. For enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Any of these drugs are only used in strained form, so that small particles of the plant do not enter the intestine and damage the mucous membrane.
Conduct prevention
It is recommended to carry out preventive measures regularly, as this will prevent helminth infection and subsequent treatment for a long time. For prevention, you should try to avoid the focus of infection with worms, and also use folk remedies. It is also appropriate to include preventive measures:
- maintain cleanliness;
- eat only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- destruction of insects in the house that carry helminth eggs;
- only drink boiled water;
- conduct drug prophylaxis.
You should use the medicine only after consulting a doctor, because it contains toxic substances that can harm your health.