Parasiteis a very common phenomenon that can be easily identified in most people when undergoing a standard medical examination.
Experts have many methods and techniques to identify and diagnose worms in the body of children and adults. At the current stage of medical development, this is not at all complicated. In addition, many helminths can be detected independently, leaving the body and entering the external environment. This process usually occurs when the female breeds and lays eggs.
Further determination of the type, quantity and duration of the life cycle of worms in humans must be carried out in a special clinic during a full examination.
Types of worms in humans
Representatives of helminths are identified based on general characteristics and lifestyle, life cycle and developmental characteristics. It also takes into account how worms manifest themselves in humans, how long they live in the body and the diseases they cause.
Doctors can detect the presence of the following types of worms in the body:
- nematodes, roundworms.The life cycle does not exceed 40 years; they are parasites in the intestines. Can affect the respiratory system and stomach. Representatives: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- tapeworm. They can live in the intestine and migrate throughout the body for about 20 years. Large size reaches 8-10 meters. Cattle and pig tapeworm individuals, tapeworms;
- flukes, trematodes.They appear in internal organs and subcutaneous tissue. It travels throughout the organs and can be life-threatening.
Each of the above groups has representatives that are most often found in people.
And each of them poses a serious danger to the health and normal functioning of the body:
- roundwormCan cause: appendicitis, jaundice, inflammation of the bile ducts;
- pinworms.Leads to complications: gastritis, allergic reactions, nervous disorders;
- whipwormCan cause dysentery, rectal prolapse;
- Toxocara.It manifests itself in decreased vision, bronchitis, necrosis of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, brain function disorders;
- echinococcus.It poses a danger in the form of anaphylactic shock, urticaria, liver enlargement, cyst formation, and death;
- Trichinella.Can cause the formation of infiltrates, damage to the heart and brain;
- Giardia.Consequences: anemia, gastritis, Quincke's edema, pancreatitis;
- hookworm.May cause intestinal dysfunction;
- wide band.Promotes the development of anemia, hypovitaminosis, intestinal tissue necrosis, damage to the spinal cord;
- filariae.Can cause diseases: conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, asthma, abscess; lung disease. They provoke enteritis, bronchitis, fever, meningitis, tachycardia.
These are just some of the parasites that are often mentioned. There are worms that are less dangerous, but still dangerous. Therefore, it is important to study them in laboratory conditions.
Infection with worms
It is not difficult for parasites to penetrate the human body. It is impossible to detect or identify them in the environment, because they are often in the stage of small larvae or microscopic eggs.
There are certain methods and routes of infection:
- bodies of water In most parasites, the larvae spend the middle stages of their life cycle in fresh and salt water. Sometimes it is found in intermediate hosts such as fish and shellfish;
- wet sand or soil. Together with feces, especially eggs, are removed for further development or to find a temporary carrier;
- dirty unprocessed vegetables, berries, fruits, herbs. From the soil, future parasites penetrate the surface of the product;
- animals: homeless and domestic. Temporary media.
Even a normal walk with children or a trip to the store, calling the elevator or dirty handrails can cause parasites to appear. To avoid this, it is necessary to follow simple personal hygiene rules, regularly carry out wet cleaning of the house and ventilation of the room where the workplace is located.
Worms in adults, signs and symptoms
Characteristics alone cannot clearly determine whether a person has a helminthic attack.
How can you check that you really have worms?
To do this, there are general characteristic signs of the presence of worms in a person and methods to determine them:
- changes in appetite, including increases and decreases;
- nervous, scared, excited. Fatigue and weakness may also occur;
- snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep;
- bowel problems, including diarrhea and constipation;
- bloated stomach;
- headache;
- swelling of limbs;
- itching in the anus;
- increased body temperature;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- skin rash, redness;
- nausea vomiting;
- pain in the stomach;
- fragility of hair and nails.
These are just some of the signs that may indicate the presence of worms in adults. However, these symptoms can also be characteristic of other diseases. Therefore, only a proper examination will allow you to get the right results.
Signs of worms in children
Having insufficient immunity and protective protein cells, children are often exposed to more serious consequences of the presence of parasites in the body:
- intestinal dysfunction, dysbacteriosis;
- flatulence, flatulence;
- skin inflammation, urticaria;
- involuntary urination or urinary incontinence;
- respiratory tract disease. Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma;
- In girls, inflammation of the genital organs is possible;
- vomiting, nausea;
- itching and burning in the anus;
- severe abdominal pain and colic;
- sleep disorders;
- nervous,
- Newborns may experience serious complications or developmental delays.
It is quite difficult to identify worms yourself, and many parents do not think about their presence. By trying to treat their children without specialist help, they can worsen the spread of parasites in the child's body. The consequences in such cases are unpredictable.
Test for various worms
How to understand that a person is developing helminthiases?
Accurate determination of the presence of worms in adults and children is possible only with the help of specially developed research methods.
The doctor prescribes the appropriate research method depending on the symptoms and signs of the parasite:
- scrapingThis is a traditional and simple method, which involves taking a smear from the anus to determine the presence of worm eggs;
- stool analysis.This method has been tested, but is not always effective, because not all helminths are found in the discharge;
- general chemical blood test.It allows you to determine only the inflammatory process with indicators of low hemoglobin levels, and also takes into account leukocytes;
- CPR diagnostics. This method consists of studying the parasite DNA material found in the blood compared to the available samples. It provides accurate determination of the class of helminths and their quantity;
- related immunosorbent assay.This method is also based on the patient's blood analysis. The detected IgM and IgG antibody samples indicate the protective response of the immune system against the worm.
In addition, ultrasound, radiography and tomography can be prescribed. The need for them is associated with the migration of parasites throughout the organs and frequent changes of location. The method of taking a biopsy or probing is also used to obtain material from the affected organ. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the class of helminth and the effect on the organ.
Worms: treatment for adults and children
It is important to realize that in most cases the process of treating diseases caused by helminth infections is complex. It is not always possible to get rid of the larvae and eggs of all parasites completely in one course of treatment. Patients often need to be under constant medical supervision and undergo regular tests.
What to do in this case?
It is important to follow your doctor's advice and recommendations.
Usually, drugs with a broad spectrum of action are prescribed.
It is necessary to be especially careful when taking medicine for small children and newborn babies. Strong anthelmintic components of the drug are not always suitable for organisms with low immunity.
Only an experienced doctor can prescribe the right medicine for the age of the patient and the level of complications of the disease.
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms may indicate the presence of worms in a person?
Symptoms of worms may include persistent fatigue, weight loss, insomnia, itching in the anus, worms in the stool, and abdominal pain.
What diagnostic methods are used to determine the presence of worms in a person?
To diagnose worms, stool tests for worm eggs, blood tests for antibodies against worms, as well as survey diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and x-ray can be used.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, such as persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances, and allergic reactions.
Tip #2
Call your doctor for a special stool or blood test to check for worm eggs or antibodies against them.