How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infections have been 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.

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

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

How dangerous are worms?

Today, 360 types of worms are known that are dangerous to humans. Most of them parasitize the human intestines or liver, but, depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (egg, larva, adult), any organ and system can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, the eyes. , etc. Further.

The main damages caused by helminths are:

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 a lack of vitamins;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal walls and damage the surrounding tissues during 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 around them, but also release waste products - toxins that have a devastating effect on central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes irritable, irritable and disturbed by headache, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reactions.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic infections, a skin rash often develops, itching appears, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

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

Helminths are typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

breast worms– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not respected;
roundworms– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During the developmental cycle, they can migrate along with the blood and lymph flow, entering the lungs and heart;
the whipworm- a roundworm that lives in the large intestine. It penetrates the mucous membrane with the help of a thin head, damaging the integrity of the tissues and causing microulcers;
opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. Parasites block the channels, causing stagnation of bile and disrupting the normal functioning of the organ;
curved heads- roundworms that parasitize the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with the larvae, which pierce the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body;
bull bar- a tapeworm that reaches a length of up to 10 meters. Occupies almost the entire intestine, leading to severe fatigue;
intestinal eel– roundworms that penetrate the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, the 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.

A parasitologist treats 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 get infected with worms only by consuming low-quality food: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables or raw 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 humans, such piercings 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 can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on the organs affected by the helminth infection, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headache, swelling and tremors of the extremities. In cases of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain appears, hair falls and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can lead to delayed physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

weakness, weakness, fatigue;
allergies, such as skin rash, cough, asthma attacks;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach ache;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
sleep problems, insomnia;
swollen or enlarged lymph nodes;
fever without reason;
muscle and joint pain without exercise;
snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
the presence of worms in feces;
itching in the anus area (often with worms).

How to find out if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of helminthic infection. In the initial stages, the disease can be practically asymptomatic. The patient does not experience pain; the immune system can suppress the pathogenic effects of 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 (ie, the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic course of the invasion is dangerous - the patient infects others, and his health gradually deteriorates. 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.

Helminth analysis

To detect helminthic infection, the following tests can be prescribed:

stool analysis.Feces are examined for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require prior preparation: the patient only needs to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiasis.To determine enterobiasis (disease caused by needles), 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 us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchis, acne and lamblia.

How long is the stool test for worms valid?

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

Blood test for parasites

Blood testing for specific antibodies is the most informative method for detecting helminthic infection. 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 parasites. This is what the analysis shows.

Which worm test is best?

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

Where to 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, helminthiasis has no specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one has worms. As a rule, the patient complains of mild discomfort: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not go away within a week or the condition returns periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you do not feel well), you should consult your doctor. Attacks of poor health can be accompanied by the migration of parasites.

Which doctor treats worms in humans?

The treatment of parasitic infections is carried out by an infectologist or a parasitologist. But 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 helminthiasis?

If worms are detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at fighting a specific type of worm. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms at any stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, a single dose of tablets is enough, but sometimes a course of medication is required - the treatment is carried out by a therapist or parasitologist.

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

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

Helminthiasis: treatment with folk remedies

There is a sufficient number of methods for the treatment of helminthiasis with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume a large number of foods with 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 consumption of products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane, increased pain and problems with stools.

You should also not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not provoke their evacuation, d. m. th. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of invasion 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 perform wet cleaning using disinfectants. In the future, to prevent helminthic infection, it is recommended:

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

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