Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasites present in the body. Treatment necessarily requires an integrated approach; only in this condition will it be possible to eliminate 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, since helminthic infection is very similar in its symptoms to the pathologies 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;
- ribbons;
- the blows.
Roundworms are thin, long worms with a yellow or pink tint. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, which can happen if contaminated food is consumed. The larvae hatch from eggs in the intestines and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood circulation, they are carried through the internal organs, causing small hemorrhages. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo one of the signs of helminthic infection is abdominal pain) the presence of fever and body aches can be noted. Often no one pays special attention to these signs, as they associate them with the cold. Meanwhile, the larvae, along with the bloodstream, are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after maturation, they penetrate into the oral cavity, and then into the intestines, where they grow and multiply. During their lifetime, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestines, which provokes poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- stomach ache;
- 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 allergy may appear.
In childhood, worms are the main concern. These are small, gray roundworms. Their appearance is caused by non-compliance with hygiene rules and the consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection through domestic animals is possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestines.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, since self-infection occurs constantly. At night, pinworms lay eggs in the folds near the anus. At this time, very severe itching and painful sensations are observed. General health deteriorates significantly, as parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears in the form:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach ache.
Another roundworm is the whipworm. Its back is thick, barrel-shaped, and the head is very thin, hair-shaped. 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, causing intoxication of the body, which often leads to appendicitis.
The 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. Its intermediate hosts are river fish and crayfish. A person consumes river fish infected with helminths, with which the latter enter the body, where they begin to grow.
This parasite is large, so it 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 strips are classified as strips. They reach several meters. You can become infected by consuming undercooked or undercooked meat. The body of the tapeworm consists of several flat parts in which the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of suckers and special hooks, these parasites are firmly attached to the intestinal walls. They absorb all nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. Among the main symptoms of worms are severe weakness, weight loss, vomiting and bowel dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines and dizziness. There are periods of fainting.
When liver fluke enters the body, it causes the disease opisthorchiasis. You can become infected by consuming river fish that has 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 discomfort 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 parasites do not leave the body for a long time, cirrhosis of the liver and malignant tumors can form.
Methods of infection
Before you can identify the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, you need to understand exactly how the infection occurs. The main ways of infection by worms:
- across the land;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open reservoirs.
Sometimes the source of infection can be the bite of stinging insects. You can become infected through food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Main signs in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be recognized correctly. Parasites cause a variety of symptoms. If they occur, you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person in the initial stages, this will allow you to avoid a number of diagnostic errors. Among the main characteristics it is necessary to highlight:
- allergic skin rash;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of a runny nose, 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, symptoms of worms appear in humans, such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Grinding of teeth may occur.
Against the background of continuous chronic poisoning by waste products of worms, depression is observed. When parasites move through the body and damage 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 the correct diagnosis.
Signs of childhood helminthic infection
Symptoms and signs of worms in a child are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether the baby has parasites in the intestines by manifestations such as:
- increased activity;
- saliva;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling of the eyelids;
- cravings for sweet foods;
- lethargy and drowsiness;
- signs of anemia;
- frequent colds.
If these signs and symptoms of worms are observed in a child, then there is a high probability of the presence of parasites in the body. In this case, you should definitely visit a doctor for the correct and effective diagnosis and prescription of treatment.
Manifestations of the acute phase
The first symptoms of worms in an adult 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 appear in the form of allergic reactions. During the process of growth and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that lead to intoxication of the body.
Among the allergic symptoms of worms in an adult, the following are noted:
- swelling;
- redness;
- itching of the skin;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be excluded. Some types of parasites can cause severe reactions such as facial swelling. 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 phase include not only allergic manifestations, but also an increase in temperature. With severe infection, your health deteriorates significantly. Cough and chest pain often occur.
Manifestations of the chronic phase
In the chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in an adult depend mainly on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms can be observed:
- bowel dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- bloating;
- 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 are the signs of damage to the nervous system. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, it is necessary to emphasize headaches, insomnia and lack of mind.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with worms such as trematodes, or, as they are also called, flukes. These parasites live in various organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms appear as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- Increase in temperature;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- chills;
- enlargement of the spleen and liver.
These helminths can lead to the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. The intestinal form appears in the form of pain, poor appetite and diarrhea mixed with blood.
Performing diagnostics
If symptoms of worms appear in a person, treatment should 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:
- linked immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA tests;
- serological techniques;
- 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 identify 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 helminthiasis in the acute phase. Bioresonance diagnostics is a study that allows you to identify parasites at a very early stage.
Modern diagnostic techniques with high accuracy will help not only to recognize the fact of infection with worms, but also to determine to which type they belong, to determine the age, stage of development, which significantly accelerates the recovery process.
Drug therapy for adults
If symptoms of worms appear in adults, treatment should be carried out immediately, as only this will prevent the development of dangerous complications and pathologies. Therapy for helminthiasis includes the use of a number of procedures and medicines, as well as strict doctor's orders.
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 narrowly targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs provoke some side effects, in particular, nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations appear, you should take 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, since they are coated with a protective layer.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to eliminate the symptoms of helminth infection quickly and effectively, but they are very toxic substances and can lead to intoxication of the body.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites provoke serious discomfort and deterioration of well-being. That is why, once symptoms of worms appear in children, treatment should begin immediately. Medicines are available in the form of tablets and suspension.
These drugs contain different active ingredients that are effective only against a specific type of parasite, so the drug can only be used after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, treatment is selected individually to effectively get rid of parasites and not harm the child's body. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescription, since 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 who weigh less than 12 kg.
Folk remedies
If you have symptoms of worms at home, treatment can be carried out using traditional methods. To combat helminthiasis, various herbs are used, which are no less effective than drugs. These include the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- sage brush;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminthic infestations 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 also recommended to do enemas that will help remove helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Each of these drugs is used only in strained form, so that small plant particles do not enter the intestines and damage the mucosa.
Conducting 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 foci of infection with worms, and also use folk remedies. It is also appropriate to include preventive measures:
- maintaining hygiene;
- eating only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- extermination of insects in the house that carry helminth eggs;
- drinking only boiled water;
- conducting drug prophylaxis.
Medicines should be used only after consulting a doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.