How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infestations are seen 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 infestations 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, helminthiasis is recorded not only in underdeveloped countries: outbreaks of enterobiosis and ascariasis often occur among the wealthy segments of the population.

The wide distribution of helminths is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the initial stages. Also, symptoms of infestation 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, there are 360 known species of worms that are dangerous to humans. Most of them parasitize the human intestine or liver, but, depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (egg, larva, adult), any organs and systems can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs. , 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 of which the body does not receive enough micro- and macronutrients, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency.
organ and tissue damage.Many worms penetrate the walls of the intestine and destroy 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 surrounding them, but also release waste products - toxins that have a destructive effect on central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes nervous, irritable and disturbed by headaches, insomnia, lethargy and apathy.
allergic reactions.Worm waste (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic infestations, a skin rash often develops, itching occurs, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

Helminthic infestations 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 typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworms– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when the rules of personal hygiene are not observed.
round worms– roundworms that infect the small intestine. During the growth cycle, they can migrate along with the blood and lymph flow, entering the lungs and heart.
whip- 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.
backward– flatworms that infect the liver. Parasites clog the ducts, causing stagnation of bile and disrupting the normal functioning of the organ.
curved heads- roundworms that parasitize the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with larvae, which pierce the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
bull film- a tape that reaches a length of up to 10 meters. It occupies almost the entire intestine, leading to severe exhaustion.
intestinal eel– roundworms that penetrate the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, the worms move closer to the anus, causing intense itching in the anal area.
Echinococcus– films that affect not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also the liver and lungs. They cause echinococcus, 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 helminthiasis. There is a common misconception that you can become infected with worms only by eating low-quality food: raw water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed 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 people, such punctures are not sensitive - it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also become infected with parasites by inhaling tiny eggs along with dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organs are affected by the helminthic infestation, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headaches, swelling and tremors of the extremities. In cases of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain occurs, hair falls out and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can lead to delayed physical and mental development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

malaise, weakness, fatigue.
allergies, such as skin rashes, 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.
inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes.
fever without reason;
muscle and joint pain without exercise;
snoring or grinding teeth in sleep.
presence of worms in the stool.
itching in the anus area (often with pinworms).

How to know if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of helminthic infestation. In the initial stages, the disease can be essentially asymptomatic. The patient does not feel pain; the immune system can suppress the pathogenic effects of toxins and allergens for some time. As a rule, the outbreak begins during the larval migration period 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 area - once every six months.

Helminth analysis

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

stool analysis.Feces are examined for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require preliminary preparation: the patient just 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 anus 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, pinworms, 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 doing 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 helminth infestation. 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 a pathogen: the body begins to produce specific antibodies to fight the parasites. This is what the analysis reveals.

Which worm test is best?

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 do several tests to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.

Where to go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminthic infestation, you should make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the initial stages, helminthiasis has no specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one have worms. As a rule, the patient complains of mild malaise: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If the symptoms do not subside within a week or the condition returns periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you feel unwell), you should consult your doctor. Attacks of ill health may be related to parasite migration.

Which doctor treats worms in humans?

Parasitic infestations are treated by an infectious disease specialist 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 found, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at fighting a specific type of worms. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms at each stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, a single dose of tablets is enough, but sometimes a series of drugs is required - the treatment is developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

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

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 are a sufficient number of methods for treating helminths with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume a large number of foods 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 the consumption of products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane, increase in pain and problems with bowel movements.

Also, you should not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not cause their evacuation, i. e. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of the 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 to do wet cleaning with disinfectants. In the future, to prevent helminth infestation, it is recommended:

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

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