Parasitesit is a very common phenomenon that can be easily detected in most people when they undergo a standard medical examination.
Specialists have many methods and techniques for identifying and diagnosing worms in the body of a child and an adult. At the present stage of development of medicine, this is quite simple. 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 should be carried out in special clinics during a complete examination.
Types of worms in humans
Representatives of helminths are identified on the basis of general characteristics and lifestyle, life cycle and developmental characteristics. It also takes into account how worms manifest in humans, how long they live in the body and what diseases they cause.
Doctors can detect the presence of the following types of worms in the body:
- filamentous, roundworm.The life cycle does not exceed 40 years, they parasitize in the intestines. It can affect the respiratory system and stomach. Representatives: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms.
- tapeworms.They can live in the intestines and migrate throughout the body for about 20 years. Large sizes reach 8-10 meters. People from beef and pork tape, tapes.
- algae, foraminifera.They appear in internal organs and subcutaneous tissues. It moves to all organs and can become life-threatening.
Each of the above groups has representatives that are most often found in humans.
And each of them poses a serious risk to health and the normal functioning of the body:
- round wormIt can cause: appendicitis, jaundice, inflammation of the bile ducts.
- pinworm.It leads to complications: gastritis, allergic reactions, nervous disorders.
- whipIt can cause dysentery, rectal prolapse.
- Archer.It manifests itself in reduced vision, bronchitis, necrosis of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, brain function disorder.
- echinococcus.It carries a risk in the form of anaphylactic shock, urticaria, swelling of the liver, cyst formation and death.
- Trichinella.It 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, spinal cord damage.
- filariae.It can cause diseases: conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, asthma, abscesses. pulmonary grooves. They cause enteritis, bronchitis, fever, meningitis, tachycardia.
These are just some of the pests that are mentioned quite often. There are worms that are less dangerous, but still harmful. Therefore, it is important to study them in laboratory conditions.
Worm infestation
It is not difficult for parasites to penetrate the human body. They are impossible to spot or identify in the environment, as they are often in the small larval stage or tiny eggs.
There are certain methods and routes of infection:
- bodies of water In most parasites, the larvae spend the intermediate stages of their life cycle in both fresh and salt water. They are sometimes found in intermediate hosts such as fish and shellfish.
- wet sand or soil. Together with the faeces, mainly the eggs, they are released for further development or the search for a temporary carrier.
- dirty unprocessed vegetables, berries, fruits, herbs. From the soil, future pests penetrate the surface of the products.
- animals: stray and domestic. Temporary means.
Even an ordinary walk with a child or a trip to the store, a phone call in the elevator or dirty handrails can cause pests to appear. To avoid this, it is necessary to follow simple rules of personal hygiene, regularly wet clean the house and ventilate the room where the workplace is located.
Worms in an adult, their signs and symptoms
Characteristics alone cannot clearly determine whether a person has a helminth infestation.
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 for determining them:
- changes in appetite, including increase and decrease;
- nervousness, fear, excitement. Fatigue and weakness may also occur.
- snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep.
- bowel problems, including both diarrhea and constipation;
- inflation?
- headache, dizziness;
- swelling of the limbs;
- itching in the anus;
- increased body temperature;
- blood pressure fluctuations;
- skin rashes, redness.
- nausea, vomiting;
- stomach ache?
- fragility of hair and nails.
These are just a few signs that may indicate the presence of worms in an adult. However, these symptoms can also be characteristic of other diseases. Therefore, only a proper examination will allow you to get an accurate result.
Signs of worms in children
Having still insufficient immunity and protective protein cells, children are often susceptible to more serious consequences of the presence of parasites in the body:
- intestinal dysfunction, dysbacteriosis.
- bloating, flatulence;
- skin inflammation, urticaria;
- involuntary urination or urinary incontinence.
- diseases of the respiratory tract. Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma?
- In girls, genital inflammation is possible.
- vomiting, nausea;
- itching and burning in the anus.
- severe abdominal pain and colic.
- Sleep disorder;
- nervousness,
- Newborns may experience serious complications or developmental delays.
It is quite difficult to identify worms on your own, and many parents do not think about their presence. By trying to treat their children without the help of specialists, they can worsen the spread of parasites in the children's bodies. The consequences in such cases are unpredictable.
Tests for various worms
How to understand that a person develops helminthiasis?
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 appropriate research methods depending on the symptoms and signs of the parasites:
- scrapeThis 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 tried, but it is not always effective, since not all helminths are found in the discharge.
- chemical general blood test.It allows you to determine only the inflammatory process with indicators of low hemoglobin levels and also takes leukocytes into account.
- Diagnostic CPR.This method consists in studying the DNA material of the parasite found in the blood in comparison with the available samples. It provides an accurate determination of the category of helminths and their quantity.
- linked immunosorbent assay.This method is also based on the analysis of the patient's blood. The detected samples of IgM and IgG antibodies indicate a protective reaction of the immune system to the worms.
In addition, ultrasound, x-ray and tomography may be prescribed. Their need is connected with the migration of parasites to all organs and their frequent change of position. The biopsy or probing method is also used to obtain material from the affected organs. The choice of the diagnostic method depends on the category of helminths and the effect on the organs.
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 completely get rid of the larvae and eggs of all parasites in one course of treatment. Patients often need to be under constant medical supervision and undergo regular examinations.
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 medicines for small children and newborns. The strong ingredients of pharmaceutical anthelmintics are not always suitable for an organism with low immunity.
Only an experienced doctor can prescribe drugs that are suitable for the age of the patient and the degree of complication of the disease.
FAQ
What symptoms may indicate the presence of worms in a person?
Symptoms of worms can include constant 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, a blood test for anti-worm antibodies, as well as diagnostic research methods such as ultrasound and X-rays can be used.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances and allergic reactions.
Tip #2
Contact your doctor for special stool or blood tests to check for worm eggs or antibodies to them.