Parasitesis a very common phenomenon that can be easily identified in most people during 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 current stage of development of medicine, this is absolutely not complicated. In addition, many helminths can be detected independently, leaving the body and entering the external environment. This process usually occurs when the female is breeding and laying 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 comprehensive examination.
Types of worms in humans
Representatives of helminths are identified on the basis of general characteristics and features of lifestyle, life cycle and development. It also takes into account how worms manifest themselves 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:
- nematode, roundworm.The life cycle does not exceed 40 years; they parasitize the intestines. May affect the respiratory system and stomach. Representatives: pinworms, roundworms, whipworms;
- tape noise.They can live in the intestines and migrate throughout the body for around 20 years. Large sizes reach 8 to 10 meters. Individuals of bovine and porcine tapeworms, tapeworms;
- flukes, trematodes.They appear in internal organs and subcutaneous tissues. It travels to all organs and can be life threatening.
Each of the above groups has representatives that are most often found among people.
And each of them poses a serious danger to health and normal functioning of the body:
- roundwormMay cause: appendicitis, jaundice, inflammation of the bile ducts;
- pinworm.Leads to complications: gastritis, allergic reactions, nervous disorders;
- whipwormMay cause dysentery, rectal prolapse;
- Toxocara.Manifested by decreased vision, bronchitis, necrosis of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, disruption of brain functions;
- echinococcus.It poses danger in the form of anaphylactic shock, hives, liver enlargement, cyst formation and death;
- Trichinella.May cause the formation of infiltrations, damage to the heart and brain;
- Giardia.Consequences: anemia, gastritis, angioedema, pancreatitis;
- hookworms.May cause intestinal dysfunction;
- wide ribbon.Promotes the development of anemia, hypovitaminosis, necrosis of intestinal tissue, spinal cord damage;
- wired.May cause diseases: conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, asthma, abscess; pulmonary flukes. They cause enteritis, bronchitis, fever, meningitis, tachycardias.
These are just a few of the parasites that are mentioned quite often. There are worms that are less dangerous, but still harmful. It is therefore important to study them in the laboratory.
Worm infection
It is not difficult for parasites to enter the human body. It is impossible to detect or identify them in the environment, as they are often in the small larvae or microscopic egg stage.
There are certain methods and routes of infection:
- bodies of waterIn most parasites, the larvae spend the intermediate stages of their life cycle in fresh and salt water. Sometimes they are found in intermediate hosts such as fish and crustaceans;
- sand or damp earth. Along with feces, mainly eggs, are released for further development or for the search for a temporary carrier;
- unprocessed dirty vegetables, berries, fruits, herbs. From the ground, future pests penetrate the surface of the products;
- animals: homeless and domestic. Temporary media.
Even an ordinary walk with a child or a visit to the store, a call to the elevator or dirty handrails can provoke the appearance of pests. To avoid this, it is necessary to follow simple rules of personal hygiene, regularly carry out wet cleaning of the house and ventilate the room where the workplace is located.
Worms in an adult, their signs and symptoms
Characteristics alone cannot unambiguously determine whether a person has a helminthic infestation.
How to check if you actually 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 its increase and decrease;
- nervousness, fear, excitement. Fatigue and weakness may also occur;
- snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep;
- intestinal problems, including diarrhea and constipation;
- bloating;
- headache, dizziness;
- swelling of the limbs;
- itching in the anus;
- increased body temperature;
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- rashes, redness;
- nausea Vomiting;
- stomach pain;
- 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 obtain an accurate result.
Signs of worms in children
Not yet having 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, hives;
- involuntary urination or urinary incontinence;
- respiratory tract diseases. Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma;
- In girls, inflammation of the genitals is possible;
- vomiting, nausea;
- itching and burning in the anus;
- severe abdominal pain and colic;
- sleep disorder;
- nervousness,
- Newborns can suffer 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?
An 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 suitable research methods depending on the symptoms and signs of parasites:
- scrapingThis is a traditional and simple method, which consists of 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 by indicators of low hemoglobin levels and also takes into account leukocytes;
- CPR diagnosis.This method consists of studying the parasitic DNA material present in the blood in comparison with available samples. It provides an accurate determination of the class of helminths and their quantity;
- linked immunosorbent test.This method also relies on the analysis of the patient's blood. The detected samples of IgM and IgG antibodies indicate a protective reaction of the immune system against the worms.
Additionally, an ultrasound, x-ray and tomography may be prescribed. Their need is associated with the migration of parasites through organs and their frequent changes in localization. The biopsy or probing method is also used to obtain material from the affected organs. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the class of helminths and the effect on organs.
Worms: treatment for adults and children
It is important to understand that in most cases the process of treating diseases caused by helminths is complex. It is not always possible to completely get rid of the larvae and eggs of all parasites in one treatment. Patients often need to be under constant medical supervision and undergo regular testing.
What to do in this case?
It is important to follow the advice and recommendations of your doctor.
As a rule, drugs with a broad spectrum of action are prescribed.
Particular care should be taken when taking medications intended for young children and newborns. Potent components of medicinal anthelmintics are not always suitable for an organism with weak immunity.
Only an experienced doctor can prescribe medications appropriate to the patient's age and the degree of complication of the disease.
FAQs
What symptoms can 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 antibodies to worms, as well as investigative diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and x-rays can be used.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, such as constant fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, trouble sleeping, and allergic reactions.
Tip #2
Contact your doctor for special stool or blood tests to check for the presence of worm eggs or antibodies against them.