Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasites present in the body. Treatment necessarily requires a comprehensive approach; only under 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 humans, since helminthic infestation is very similar in its symptoms to the pathologies of many diseases of the intestine and stomach, gall bladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What kinds of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- film?
- stings.
Roundworms are thin and long worms that are yellowish or pink in color. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, which can happen if contaminated food is eaten. The larvae develop from the eggs in the intestines and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood flow, they are carried to all internal organs, causing minor bleeding. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo one of the signs of helminthic infestation is abdominal pain) one can point out the presence of fever and body aches. Often no one pays much attention to these signs, as they associate them with colds. Meanwhile, the larvae, along with the bloodstream, are carried 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 causes poor health and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- abdominal pain;
- frequent urge to defecate.
- watery stools?
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss, body rashes and other signs of allergies may occur.
In childhood, worms are the main concern. These are small, grayish roundworms. Their appearance is due to non-compliance with hygiene rules and the consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection through pets is possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestines.
It is quite difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, as self-infection occurs constantly. At night, pinworms lay eggs in the folds near the anus. At this time, very intense itching and painful sensations are observed. General health deteriorates significantly, as parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears as:
- motion sickness;
- 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 walls of the intestine and feed on blood. Contamination occurs when whipworm eggs enter food.
The parasite destroys the intestinal walls, causing poisoning of the body, which often leads to appendicitis.
Broad tape is a long worm that belongs to the tape 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 develop.
This pest is large in size, so it requires a lot of food. As a result, a person develops several characteristic symptoms of worms, in particular, rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Beef and pork strips are classified as strips. Several meters are enough. You can become infected by eating undercooked or undercooked meat. The body of the tapeworm consists of several flat parts on which the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of special suction cups and hooks, these parasites adhere very firmly to the intestinal walls. They suck out all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. Among the main symptoms of worms are severe weakness, weight loss, nausea and bowel dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, even migraines and dizziness. There are fainting spells.
When the liver pustule enters the body, it causes the disease opisthorchiasis. You can become infected by consuming river fish that have not undergone adequate 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 disorder 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 are not removed from the body for a long time, cirrhosis of the liver and malignant tumors can form.
Methods 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;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open tanks.
Sometimes the source of infection can be the sting of insect bites. You can become infected through food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Main signs in adults
The symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be correctly identified. Parasites cause a range of symptoms. If they appear, 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 features it is necessary to highlight:
- allergic skin rashes;
- 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 in humans occur, such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Teeth grinding may occur.
In the context of continuous chronic poisoning by useless worm products, depression is observed. When parasites move through the body and injure tissues, a person begins to feel pain in the joints. If worms are present, the symptoms can be very different; only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
Signs of childhood helminthic infestation
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 with manifestations such as:
- increased activity;
- salivation;
- itching near the anus;
- peeling of the eyelids;
- craving 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 diagnosis and prescription of correct and effective treatment.
Manifestations of the acute stage
The first symptoms of worms in an adult do not appear immediately after infection, but after a few days. The average incubation period is 2-3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself in the form of allergic reactions. In the process of development and vital activity, helminths release toxic substances that lead to poisoning of the body.
Among the allergic symptoms of worms in an adult, the following are observed:
- swelling;
- rash?
- itchy skin;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be ruled out. Some types of parasites can cause severe reactions such as swelling of the face. Particularly complex manifestations can appear against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of cyst rupture. In this case, the patient's risk of anaphylactic shock and death increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in an adult in the acute stage 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 stage
In the chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in an adult depend largely on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms may be observed:
- bowel dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- inflation?
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete substances that negatively affect the digestion 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 headaches, insomnia and absent mind.
Special symptoms
There is a high risk of infection by worms such as trematodes or, as they are also called, flukes. These parasites live in different organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms appear as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- temperature rise?
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- myalgia;
- chills;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can lead to the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. The intestinal form manifests itself in the form of pain, poor appetite and diarrhea mixed with blood.
Conducting 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, various accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used. These include:
- linked immunosorbent assay.
- ELISA tests.
- serological techniques;
- X-ray?
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography?
- bioresonance diagnosis.
Enzyme immunoassay helps to determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as to determine 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 stage. Bioresonance diagnosis 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 the type to which they belong, to determine the age, the stage of development, which significantly speeds up the recovery process.
Pharmacological treatment for adults
If symptoms of worms appear in adults, treatment must be carried out immediately, as only this will prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Treatment for helminthiasis involves the use of a whole series of procedures and drugs, 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 aims to destroy many types of worms. There are also narrowly targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs cause some side effects, in particular, nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations appear, 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 convenient to use, as it allows you to accurately calculate the dose, which often cannot be done with tablets, as they are coated with a protective coating.
All drugs for the treatment of worms help to eliminate the symptoms of helminthic infestation quickly and effectively, but they are extremely toxic substances and can lead to poisoning of the body.
Pharmacotherapy for children
Pests cause serious discomfort and deterioration of well-being. Therefore, after the appearance of symptoms of worms 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 effective only against a specific type of parasite, so the drug can be used only after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, the treatment is selected individually in order to effectively get rid of parasites and not harm the child's body. Strict adherence to the prescription is imperative, since the dosage is always selected individually for each child and depends on the 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 helminths, various herbs are used, which are no less effective than drugs. These include the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- sage?
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally common way to treat helminth 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 enemas that will help remove helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Any of this drug is used only in strained form, so that small plant particles do not enter the intestines and damage the mucous membrane.
Conduct prevention
It is recommended to take regular preventive measures, 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 advisable 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.
You should use medicines only after consulting a doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.