The 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 under this condition it will be possible to eliminate this problem. For this purpose, traditional medicines and methods are used.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, since helminth infestation is very similar in its symptoms to the pathologies of many diseases of the intestine and stomach, gallbladder, liver and infectious diseases.
What types of worms are there?
Worms are usually divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- tapeworms;
- chance.
Roundworms are thin, long worms with a yellowish or pink hue. The disease begins to develop when the eggs of these worms are ingested, which can happen if contaminated food is consumed. Larvae grow from eggs in the intestines and spread throughout the body.
Together with the blood flow, they are transported through the internal organs, causing small hemorrhages. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo one of the signs of helminthic infestation is abdominal pain) the presence of fever and body aches can be highlighted. Often no one pays special attention to these signs, as they associate them with colds. Meanwhile, the larvae, along with the bloodstream, are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after maturation, they penetrate the oral cavity and then the intestine, where they grow and multiply. During their lives, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestine, which causes health problems and unpleasant symptoms.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- abdominal pain;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of intoxication.
As a result, weight loss, rashes on the body and other signs of allergies may occur.
In childhood, pinworms are the main concern. These are small, grayish roundworms. Its appearance is caused by non-compliance with hygiene standards and the consumption of low-quality products. In addition, infection through pets is possible. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestines.
It is very difficult to get rid of this type of parasite, as self-infection constantly occurs. 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 in the format:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomachache.
Another roundworm is the whipworm. The back part is thick, barrel-shaped, and the head part is very thin, hair-shaped. Using a thin part of the body, the parasites penetrate the intestinal walls and feed on blood. Infection occurs when whipworm eggs get into 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. The person consumes river fish infected with helminths, with which the helminths enter the body, where they begin to grow.
This parasite is large and requires a lot of food. As a result, a person develops symptoms that are quite characteristic of worms, in particular rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting and anemia.
Bovine and porcine tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected by consuming undercooked or undercooked meat. The tapeworm's body consists of several flat parts in which eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to the presence of special suction cups and hooks, these parasites are firmly attached to the intestinal walls. They suck out all the nutrients, poisoning the human body with toxins. Among the main symptoms of worms are intense weakness, weight loss, nausea and intestinal dysfunction. A person is constantly bothered by headaches, up to migraines and dizziness. There are fainting spells.
When the 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 in the right side, stool disturbances, and sometimes a slight yellowing of the skin can be observed. Most people go to the doctor with signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If parasites are not removed from the body for a long time, liver cirrhosis and malignant tumors may occur.
Infection methods
Before identifying the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, it is necessary to understand exactly how the infection occurs. The main ways of infection with worms:
- through the ground;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open reservoirs.
Sometimes the source of infection can be the bite of stinging insects. You can become infected from food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment.
Main signs in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans cannot always be recognized immediately and correctly. Parasites cause various 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 early stages, this will avoid several misdiagnosis. Among the main characteristics it is necessary to highlight:
- allergic skin rashes;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of a runny nose, pneumonia;
- cold;
- 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. Teeth grinding may occur.
Against the background of constant chronic poisoning with worm waste, depression is observed. When the parasites move through the body and injure tissues, the person begins to experience joint pain. If there are worms, the symptoms can be very different; Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
Signs of childhood helminthic infestation
The 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;
- 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, there is a high probability of the presence of parasites in the body. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor to diagnose and prescribe correct and effective treatment.
Acute phase manifestations
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 to 3 weeks. The presence of parasites in the body can manifest itself 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;
- skin rashes;
- itchy skin;
- cough.
In particularly severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be excluded. Some types of parasites can cause serious reactions, such as swelling of the face. Particularly complex manifestations can occur against the background of echinococcosis. This happens as a result of the cyst rupturing. 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 a serious infection, your health deteriorates significantly. Coughing and chest pain often appear.
Manifestations of the chronic stage
In the chronic form of infection, the symptoms of worms in an adult largely depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms may be observed:
- intestinal dysfunction;
- painful sensations;
- swelling;
- 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 distraction.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with worms such as trematodes or, as they are also called, pinworms. These parasites live in different organs of the human body. The signs and symptoms of worms appear as:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- temperature increase;
- 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, lack of appetite and diarrhea with an admixture of blood.
Making diagnoses
If symptoms of worms occur 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. These include:
- linked immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA tests;
- serological techniques;
- X-ray;
- ultrasound diagnosis;
- tomography;
- bioresonance diagnostics.
Enzyme immunoassay helps to determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as identify their type. ELISA tests indicate the body's reaction when infected by 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 diagnosis is a study that allows parasites to be identified at a very early stage.
Modern diagnostic techniques with high accuracy will help not only recognize the fact of worm infection, but also determine what type they belong to, establish the age, stage of development, which significantly speeds up the recovery process.
Drug therapy for adults
If symptoms of worms appear in adults, treatment must be carried out immediately, as this is the only way to prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Therapy for helminthiasis involves the use of a wide range of procedures and medications, as well as strict medical orders.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment necessarily includes the use of certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds aims to destroy different types of worms. There are also narrowly targeted medications.
It is worth noting that all medications cause some side effects, mainly nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, you will need to take enterosorbent.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in adults, treatment can be carried out with anthelmintic medications in the form of drops. This medicine is very practical to use, as it allows you to accurately calculate the dosage, which often cannot be done with tablets, as they are covered with a protective layer.
All medications for treating worms help eliminate the symptoms of helminth infestation quickly and effectively, but they are highly toxic substances and can lead to intoxication of the body.
Drug therapy for children
Parasites cause severe discomfort and deterioration in well-being. That is why, after the appearance of symptoms of worms in children, treatment should begin immediately. The medicines are available in tablets and suspension.
These medicines contain several active ingredients that are only effective against a specific type of parasite, so the medicine can only be used after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, treatment is selected individually to effectively eliminate the parasites and not harm the child's body. It is imperative to strictly follow the recipe, as the dosage is always selected separately for each child and depends on weight, age and type of parasite.
Many medicines are prohibited for children weighing 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 medicines. This includes the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- tansy;
- mugwort;
- 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 help remove helminths. For an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dry wormwood. Any of these remedies are used only in strained form so that small plant particles do not enter the intestine and damage the mucous membrane.
Preventing
It is recommended to regularly carry out preventive measures, as this will avoid infection with helminths and subsequent treatment for a long period. For prevention, you need to try to avoid foci of worm infection, and also use folk remedies. It is also appropriate to include preventive measures:
- maintain hygiene;
- eat only well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- extermination of insects in the house that carry helminth eggs;
- drink only boiled water;
- carrying out drug prophylaxis.
You should only use medications after consulting a doctor, as they contain toxic substances that can be harmful to your health.