How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

Worm infections are observed in more than 1. 5 billion people. You can get worms through food, raw water or by contact with sick people.

Helminth disease or helminth infection is a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms living in the human body. According to the latest data, 1 in 100 people are hidden carriers of the disease, and about 80% of new cases occur in children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiasis is not only recorded in underdeveloped countries: outbreaks of onchocerciasis and whipworm often occur in wealthy segments of the population.

The wide distribution of helminths is explained by the fact that the disease is asymptomatic in its early stages. In addition, symptoms of parasitic infection do not appear when the number of parasites in the body is low. Patients may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time but still infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

Today, there are 360 species of worms known to be 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 organ and system can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs, etc. v. Furthermore.

The main damage caused by helminths is:

gradually develop anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms eat nutrients from the intestines, so the body does not receive enough micro and macro elements, the patient loses weight and lacks vitamins;
destroys organs and tissues.Many types of worms penetrate the intestinal wall and damage surrounding tissues during migration. Microscopic wounds and ulcers form on organs, the lining of the digestive tract is constantly inflamed, the risk of infection increases;
pathology of the nervous system.Worms not only destroy surrounding tissues but also release waste products - toxins that destroy central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes anxious, irritable and suffers from headaches, insomnia, lethargy and lethargy;
allergic reaction.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, when infected with helminths, a rash often appears on the skin, itching appears, and nausea and vomiting may occur.

Helminth infections in children can cause developmental delays and lead to dangerous complications: from intestinal perforation to paralysis of the arms and legs.

Helminths are typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworm– Roundworms invade the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not followed;
roundworms– Roundworms attack the small intestine. During their developmental cycle, they can travel through the blood and lymphatics, entering the lungs and heart;
whipworm- Roundworms live in the large intestine. It penetrates the mucous membrane with the help of a thin tip, damaging the integrity of tissues and causing microscopic ulcers;
opisthorchis– Flatworms attack the liver. Parasites clog ducts, causing bile stagnation and disruption of normal organ function;
curved head- Parasitic roundworms in the duodenum. Infection occurs from contact with larvae that penetrate the skin, enter the bloodstream, and spread throughout the body;
beef tapeworm- a tapeworm up to 10 meters long. Occupies almost the entire intestine, leading to severe exhaustion;
eel intestines– Roundworms invade the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, the worms move close to the anus, causing intense itching in the anal area;
Echinococcus– Tapeworms not only affect the digestive tract but also the liver and lungs. They cause echinococcosis, a disease in which cysts form in various human organs.

A parasitologist treats helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people worldwide suffer from soil-transmitted helminths. There is a common misconception that you can only get worms by consuming poor quality foods: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables or unprocessed meat and fish. But that's not true. Some parasites can penetrate through intact skin.

Helminth larvae penetrate the skin, enter the capillaries and spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. For humans, such punctures are insensitive - it is difficult to suspect infection. You can also become infected with the parasite by breathing in microscopic eggs along with the dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organs are affected by helminths, the patient may experience conjunctivitis, cough, headache, swelling and tremor of the limbs. In case of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain appears, hair falls out and nails begin to peel off. In children, helminths can lead to delayed physical and mental development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

irritability, weakness, fatigue;
allergies, such as skin rash, cough, asthma attack;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach-ache;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss, even if appetite is good;
difficulty sleeping, insomnia;
inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
fever for no reason;
muscle and joint pain when not exercising;
snoring or grinding teeth while sleeping;
presence of worms in feces;
itching in the anal area (often accompanied by pinworms).

How to know if there are worms?

It is not possible to independently determine the presence of helminth infection. In the early stages, the disease may have virtually no symptoms. The patient does not feel pain, the immune system is able to suppress the pathogenic effects of toxins and allergens for some time. As a rule, exacerbation begins during the period of larval migration or when the number of worms increases. The stronger the infestation (i. e. the more parasites present), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic invasive process is dangerous - the patient infects others and his health gradually deteriorates. To detect the disease, regular preventive examinations at the hospital are necessary. As part of prevention, the therapist prescribes tests for worms at least once a year. If you live in an endemic area - every six months.

Worm analysis

To detect helminth infections, the following tests may be ordered:

stool analysis.Stools are tested for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis requires no preliminary preparation: the patient only needs to bring a stool sample;
Enterobosis analysis.To determine enterobosis (disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to scrape (smear) the anal area. Usually the test is prescribed in the morning before going to the toilet;
Blood test for specific antibodies.The most revealing research allowed us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchis, acne and lamblia.

How long is a stool test for worms valid?

Stool testing for worms allows experts to detect helminth eggs (if present). This study does not guarantee 100% detection, since the number of eggs depends on the life cycle of the worms, and periodically they may not be detected in the stool, although colonization remains. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend two or three stool tests with short intervals between tests.

Blood test for parasites

Blood testing for specific antibodies is the most useful method for detecting helminth infections. After analysis, the doctor can not only tell about the presence of worms, but also determine their type and thereby choose the most effective complex treatment method.

Worms are recognized by the human immune system as pathogens: the body begins to produce specific antibodies to fight the parasites. Here's what the analysis revealed.

Which worm test is better?

If a parasitic infection is suspected, your doctor will order a number of tests. A comprehensive study allows you to 100% accurately determine the presence of worms, determine the type and stage of the life cycle. It is impossible to say which analysis is better or worse: it is necessary to carry out several tests to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.

Where to go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminth infection, you must make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the early stages, helminth disease has no specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one is infected with worms. As a rule, patients complain of mild discomfort: indigestion, headache, lethargy.

If your symptoms do not go away within a week or the condition recurs periodically (for example, you feel unwell every 3-4 months), you should consult your doctor. Attacks due to poor health may be related to parasite migration.

Which doctors treat worms in humans?

Treatment for parasitic infections is performed by an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist. But you should not immediately consult a specialist: it is better to consult a therapist. He will prescribe a series of tests and, if necessary, will refer you to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.

How to treat helminths?

If worms are detected, your doctor will prescribe anti-parasitic medication aimed at fighting a specific type of worm. Modern drugs are effective against worms at each stage of the life cycle: adult worms, larvae and eggs. In most cases, a single dose of the drug is enough, but sometimes a course of medication is required - treatment methods are developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed treatment tactics - this can lead to worm eggs remaining in the body, which will subsequently cause reinfection.

Along with antiparasitic drugs, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins to eliminate vitamin deficiency and antihistamines (for allergic reactions) can be prescribed.

Helminth disease: treatment with folk remedies

There are a sufficient number of methods of treating helminths with folk remedies. The patient should consume more 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 damaged by worms, then consuming products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation to the mucous membrane, increasing pain and problems with bowel movements.

You should also not use deworming medication without consulting your doctor. Some drugs can kill worms but do not stimulate their evacuation, i. e. they remain in the body, causing serious poisoning. Safe invasive treatment can only be performed under the supervision of an experienced doctor!

Preventing helminths

Treatment of helminthiasis should be carried out not only by the patient, but also by all members of their family. It is also necessary to boil bed linen and underwear and carry out wet cleaning with a disinfectant. In the future, to prevent helminth infections, it is recommended to:

control the quality of the food you eat: do not eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and herbs, unprocessed meat or fish;
comply with 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 detected promptly. Therefore, the main thing is to seek medical help promptly. To prevent helminthiasis, it is necessary to comply with hygiene rules and be regularly examined by a doctor.