Symptoms of worms in humans can be very different, it all depends on the type of parasite present in the body. Treatment must necessarily have an integrated approach, only in this condition it is possible to eliminate this problem. For this purpose, traditional medicines and methods are used.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, because helminth infections have symptoms that are very similar to the pathology of many diseases of the intestines, stomach, gallbladder, liver and infectious diseases. infected.
What types of worms are there?
Worms are often divided into several groups, namely:
- round;
- tapeworm;
- fluke.
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 eggs in the intestine and spread throughout the body.
Along with the bloodstream, they are carried throughout the internal organs, causing mild bleeding. Among the main symptoms of worms (in the photo, one of the signs of helminth infection is abdominal pain), one can highlight the presence of fever and body aches. Often no one pays special attention to these signs because they associate them with a cold. Meanwhile, the larvae along with the blood stream are transferred to the lung tissue. From there, after maturing, they enter the oral cavity, then the intestines, where they grow and multiply. Throughout their lives, roundworms release toxic substances into the human intestine, causing unpleasant symptoms and poor health.
Among the main symptoms of worms in adults are:
- stomach-ache;
- frequent urge to defecate;
- loose stools;
- signs of poisoning.
As a result, weight loss is possible, rashes on the body and other signs of allergies may appear.
During childhood, pinworms are the main concern. These are small, gray roundworms. Their appearance is due to non-compliance with hygiene rules and consumption of low-quality products. In addition, it can be transmitted through pets. Pinworms live and reproduce in the intestines.
Removing this parasite is quite difficult because the self-infection process continuously occurs. At night, pinworms lay eggs in folds near the anus. At this time, a very intense feeling of itching and pain is noted. General health deteriorates significantly because parasites have a toxic effect on the body, causing severe inflammation. This appears as:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- stomach-ache.
Another type of roundworm is the whipworm. Its back is thick and barrel-shaped, while its head is very thin and hair-shaped. Using a thin part of the body, the parasite penetrates the intestinal wall and sucks blood. Infection occurs when roundworm eggs enter food.
Parasites damage the intestinal wall, poisoning the body, often leading to appendicitis.
A broad tapeworm is a long worm that belongs to the tapeworm family. This flat parasite reaches very large sizes. Larvae go through many stages during development. Its intermediate hosts are river fish and crayfish. A person eats river fish infected with helminths, which then enter the body and begin to develop.
This parasite is large in size so it needs a lot of food. As a result, the patient develops symptoms quite characteristic of worms, namely rapid weight loss, poor health, fainting, and anemia.
Beef and pig tapeworms are classified as tapeworms. They reach several meters. You can become infected if you eat undercooked or undercooked meat. The body of the tapeworm consists of several flat parts in which the eggs develop.
They can live in the human body for several years. Thanks to special suction cups and hooks, these parasites cling very firmly to the intestinal wall. 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 liver flukes enter the body, they cause opisthorchiasis. You can get infected by eating river fish that has not been adequately heat-treated. If a person has this type of worm, symptoms are manifested in the form of pain and a feeling of fullness in the right abdomen, stool disorders, and sometimes yellowish skin may be seen. Most people who see a doctor have signs of hepatitis and cholecystitis. If the parasite is not eliminated from the body for a long time, cirrhosis and malignant tumors can form.
Infection method
Before identifying the signs and symptoms of worms in humans, you need to understand exactly how the infection occurs. Main ways of worm infection:
- through land;
- contact with animals;
- food;
- open reservoirs.
Sometimes the source of infection can be an insect bite. You can get sick from food that has not been sufficiently heat-treated.
Main signs in adults
Symptoms of worms in humans are not always recognized immediately. Parasites cause a number of symptoms. If they occur, you should definitely consult your doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. If you recognize the symptoms of worms in a person at an early stage, this will allow you to avoid some diagnostic errors. Among the main features to highlight:
- allergic skin rash;
- frequent cough;
- the appearance of runny nose, pneumonia;
- constipation;
- frequent colds;
- nervous.
If the worms are long, they form round masses that prevent the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. As a result, symptoms of worm infection in humans appear such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Teeth grinding may occur.
Against the background of constant chronic poisoning by worm waste, depression is noted. As the parasite moves throughout the body and damages 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 an accurate diagnosis.
Signs of helminth infection in children
Symptoms and signs of worm infection in children are quite specific. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether your child has intestinal parasites by symptoms such as:
- increased activity;
- salivation;
- itching near the anus;
- eyelid peeling;
- crave 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 possibility that there are parasites in the body. In this case, you should definitely see a doctor for an accurate and effective diagnosis and prescription of treatment.
Manifestations of the acute phase
The first symptoms of worms in adults 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 as an allergic reaction. During growth and life activities, helminths release toxic substances that lead to body poisoning.
Among the symptoms of worm allergy in adults, there are the following:
- swelling;
- rash;
- itchy skin;
- cough.
In especially severe cases, the development of bronchitis and asthma cannot be excluded. Some types of parasites can cause serious reactions such as facial swelling. Particularly complex manifestations can occur on the background of echinococcosis. This occurs due to cyst rupture. In this case, the patient's risk of anaphylactic shock and death increases significantly.
Symptoms of worms in adults in the acute stage include not only allergic manifestations, but also increased temperature. When you have a severe infection, your health will deteriorate significantly. Cough and chest pain often appear.
Manifestations of the chronic phase
In the chronic form of infection, symptoms of worm infection in adults largely depend on the location of the parasite. In particular, the following symptoms may be observed:
- bowel dysfunction;
- feeling of pain;
- bloating;
- decreased or increased appetite.
Helminths secrete substances that negatively affect the digestive process. Maybe the body is lacking nutrients.
Symptoms of worm infection in adults often include many different psychological disorders. The more parasites there are in the body, the more obvious the signs of nervous system damage are. Among the manifestations of the presence of helminths, we must mention headaches, insomnia, and forgetfulness.
Specific symptoms
There is a high risk of infection with worms such as roundworms, also known as trematodes. These parasites live in different organs of the human body. Signs and symptoms of worms appear as follows:
- local swelling;
- cough;
- increased temperature;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- muscle pain;
- chills;
- enlarged spleen and liver.
These helminths can lead to the development of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urinary stones. Possible complications include chronic kidney failure. Intestinal disease manifests itself in the form of pain, loss of appetite, and bloody diarrhea.
Perform diagnosis
If symptoms of worms occur in humans, treatment must be initiated immediately after diagnosis. To detect the presence of parasites in the body, several accurate and informative diagnostic methods are used. Including:
- linked immunosorbent assay;
- ELISA test;
- serological techniques;
- X ray;
- ultrasound diagnosis;
- CT scan;
- Bioresonance diagnosis.
Enzyme immunoassay helps determine the presence of adult parasites or their eggs in the body, as well as determine their type. The ELISA test shows the body's response to being 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 helminths in the acute stage. Bioresonance diagnostics is a study that allows you to identify parasites at a very early stage.
Modern diagnostic techniques with high accuracy help not only to determine the actual infection with worms, but also to determine what type they are, determine their age and stage of development, which significantly accelerates the recovery process.
Drug treatment for adults
If symptoms of worms occur in adults, treatment must be carried out immediately, because only this can prevent the development of complications and dangerous pathologies. Treatment of helminthiasis involves the use of a full range of procedures and medications as well as strict doctor's orders.
To eliminate the symptoms of worms in humans, treatment must necessarily include taking certain medications. The use of anthelmintic compounds is aimed at killing many types of worms. There are also narrowly targeted drugs.
It is worth noting that all drugs cause certain side effects, in particular nausea, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and many other signs of poisoning. If such manifestations occur, you need to take enteral absorbents.
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 because it allows you to accurately calculate the dosage, which is often not possible with tablets because they are covered with a protective coating.
All antihelminthic drugs help to quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of helminth infection, but they are highly toxic substances and can lead to intoxication of the body.
Drug treatment for children
Parasites cause severe discomfort and deterioration of health. That is why, after the appearance of worm symptoms in children, treatment should be carried out immediately. The drug is available in tablet and suspension form.
These medications contain various active ingredients that are only effective against a specific type of parasite, so the medication can only be used after diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms of worms in children, treatment is selected individually to effectively remove the parasites and not harm the child's body. It is imperative to strictly follow the recipe, since the dosage is always selected individually for each child and depends on his weight, age and type of parasites.
Many drugs 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 helminths, various herbs that are no less effective than drugs are used. They include the following:
- dandelion;
- onion;
- nettle;
- wormwood;
- sage;
- burdock;
- garlic.
An equally popular way to treat helminth infections is to eat raw pumpkin seeds. For prevention, you can use carrot juice, which should be drunk for 2 weeks, 200 ml at a time.
In addition to decoctions and tinctures, it is also recommended to make an enema to help get rid of helminths. To make an enema, you can use garlic tincture, tansy infusion or dried wormwood. Any of these remedies should be used only in strained form so that small particles of the plant do not enter the intestines and damage the mucous membrane.
Practice prevention
Regular preventive measures should be taken, as this will prevent helminth infections and their subsequent long-term treatment. For prevention, you need to try to avoid worm infestations and use folk remedies. It is also appropriate to include preventive measures:
- maintain hygiene;
- eat only washed vegetables and fruits;
- kill insects that bring helminth eggs into the house;
- drink only boiled water;
- Carry out disease prevention with medicine.
You should only use medications after consulting your doctor because they contain toxic substances that can harm your health.