A person can be a carrier of four hundred types of parasites.Every year, helminths (popularly known as worms) infect millions of people around the world.The problem itself is called “helminthiasis” and is considered very common.How to spot the first signs in time, what are the consequences if you ignore the symptoms, why is it important to consult your doctor before going to the pharmacy and what should pet owners know?Specialist parasitologist Marina Zeononovna answered these questions for us.
The most common types of worms are pinworms and roundworms.
Marina Zenonovna, what types of worms should you know about first?
— I think many have heard of the so-calledenterobiasisit is a type of helminthiasis caused by such wormspinworms(a medium-sized cavity worm, belongs to the group of white or gray-white nematodes).According to the latest data, in most known cases, up to 37% of people suffer from damage caused by these worms.Although personally I am sure that the figure is underestimated, since mainly groups of children are studied, but adults are also infected.
In second placeascariasisis a type of helminthiasis caused by roundworms belonging to the roundworm class, familynematodes(a roundworm of reddish color (after death, the color of the body changes to yellowish-white). Its prevalence in the population is several times lower, but the course of ascariasis is more serious and is characterized by a number of serious complications.
On average, about 20 species of helminths are found in countries.Also, the infection can be combined when several groups of helminths are detected in the body.
Symptoms of the infection rarely appear immediately
— Where exactly do these parasites live in the human body?
“Their localization is complex, there are many classifications, and depending on the species, as well as the migration of the larvae, worms can settle anywhere: in the liver, intestine, lungs and even the brain.
— Why are helminths dangerous?
— The danger will be determined by the degree of infestation, that is, the number of larvae that have entered the body and the degree of their development.Immunity plays an important role, since most parasites die upon arrival due to saliva, gastric juice, enzymes and so on.Those helminths that still managed to survive infect the body and interfere with its harmonious functioning.
Symptomsboth children and adults can have very different things:
- lack of appetite;
- indigestion;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bad breath;
- persistent runny nose and cough;
- skin rashes;
- nocturnal itching around the anus;
- pain in the navel area;
- increase in fatigue
and so on.
Usually, the body provides the above signals in the later stages of the development of helminth infestation.In the initial stages, it is quite difficult to suspect anything.
Worms don't like onions and garlic
— Why are children believed to be more vulnerable to infections than adults?
—First of all, in adults the body is stronger.Immunity is generally higher and tolerates uninvited guests better.
Secondly, the pH level in the stomachs of children and their parents is different.In children it is neutral.In adults, acidity is higher, and helminths really do not like the acidic environment.
Thirdly, adults have a different diet.What increases acidity?Onions, garlic, mustard, hot spices, bitter herbs (such as wormwood, tripoli, St. John's wort) and... alcohol.When consuming these products, gastric juice becomes especially caustic, which gives no chance of life to many parasites that get there.Although adults also consume unheated fish, meat and seafood, which may actually contain helminths.This is a certain risk.
With the fashion for a healthy lifestyle, freshly squeezed juices have appeared on many people's tables.This is good, they contain phytoncides that suppress the development of parasites and even kill them.I would recommend paying special attention to carrot, cabbage and beetroot juices.
The nutrition of boys and girls is monitored by parents, who are more likely to agree to give their little ones candy than onions (although in small quantities, if the child wishes, he can be allowed to try this vegetable, of course, taking into account the individual characteristics of the child's health).
Unfortunately, today a beautiful and tasty fast food has appeared, which children love very much.But this food consists of fast and easily digestible carbohydrates, which do not change the acidity of the stomach upwards, but simply prepare a cozy and pleasant habitat for parasites.
— What treatment is prescribed?
— You shouldn't make decisions alone, especially in relation to your children.If you have any suspicions, contact your doctor or pediatrician.The doctor will order a test, the results of which will determine whether there is an infection and what its extent is.
For diagnosis it is necessary to examine feces for the presence of helminths (feces for worm eggs).A general blood test also helps.A possible problem is indicated by: low hemoglobin, increased ESR, increased number of eosinophils.A modern method of laboratory diagnostics is also effective - blood analysis by ELISA.
Based on the data obtained, as well as the characteristics of your body or the child's body, the specialist will select the appropriate drug and (which is very important) its dose.
Why can't you just go to the pharmacy and ask for "something for worms"?We must remember: drugs aimed at fighting helminths are very toxic.To make sure of this, just look at the list of possible side effects.Believe me, what you see might leave you in a state of shock.That is why it is so important that the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment and, while curing one thing, does not paralyze something else.
Important!Since enterobiasis is characterized by rather high contagiousness (the ability of infectious diseases to spread from sick people or animals to healthy, susceptible people (animals), it is necessary to examine the relatives of the infected person. Therefore, treatment may be necessary not only for the person who has helminthiasis, but also for all family members (adults, children and even pets).
Worms live long enough in an open environment and are transmitted through contact and objects from an infested person to a healthy person.This is why personal hygiene is so important.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women need to be especially careful
— Are such drugs prescribed to pregnant women?
— Helminthiasis is an extremely undesirable situation for pregnant women.It would be good to try to check everything and resolve the issue when planning your pregnancy.
If an infection is discovered, of course, the process cannot be started.The problem must be solved.There are no special anthelmintic drugs for pregnant women.Therefore, the doctor, having carefully examined the woman's condition, will follow the path of least resistance.He must select an individual treatment regimen that will be effective, but at the same time gentle on the body in each specific case.
— Are worms transmitted from mother to child through milk?
- No. On the contrary, milk contains immunoglobulins that protect the baby.But the mother is in contact with the baby, so through touch, the bottle, clothes and so on she can still transmit the larvae of the parasite.
By the way, I think everyone understands that if a nursing mother is prescribed an anthelmintic drug, she should be warned that during this period it is necessary to transfer the baby to artificial nutrition, since the toxic substances of the taken drug are also excreted together with milk.The child's body is not ready for such severe stress.
Dog worms are more dangerous to humans than cat worms
— How often should I be tested for worms?
— Expert opinions here vary.Many epidemiologists believe that it is necessary to provide courses of preventive drugs to entire groups (kindergartens, schools, work institutions).But if at least one person refused these actions, it would not make much sense.Even if he remains the only infected person, as I have already said, the chances of further spread of helminths are very high.
But this does not mean that you should not examine your body from time to time and help it if suddenly something is wrong.The epidemic of the disease is usually observed in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).In these periods it would be a good idea to independently contact a pediatrician or a therapist, take the test and check if everything is fine, and at the same time (if we are talking about children), if a problem is identified, it would be a good idea to inform the teacher of the kindergarten group or the teacher at school, so that they inform all the other parents and take action.
— Are helminths transmitted from animals to owners?
- Yes, moreover, cats, as a rule, transmit more of their species than dogs, but helminths from the latter are more serious.For example, dogs can causetoxocariasisin humans.It is a helminthiasis of the nematode group, characterized by fever, bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatosplenomegaly and eosinophilia.
I still don't understand why we don't strictly ensure that there are multiple separate areas for walking pets and why owners don't clean their pets outside, like in all civilized countries.After all, it is mainly thanks to dog feces that helminths spread throughout the area.Furthermore, it must be admitted that "mines" are often found near children's playgrounds.Then it turns out that there is no dog at home, but the child has a lot of characteristic worms.
If you have a pet, remember the following rules:
- do not kiss pets;
- don't let them into your bed;
- don't forget to wash your hands often, especially before eating;
- have your pet examined by a veterinarian promptly;
- if your dog has worms, consult a doctor;most likely the whole family will have to take the medicine;
- try walking your pets in the right place.
I would like to draw the attention of lovers of everything unusual to the fact that before buying an exotic animal, study in detail information about its physiology, make sure that it is healthy and inquire about possible risks.After all, turtles, monkeys, iguanas, lemurs and so on can bring parasites into our home that our body is not at all familiar with.All this sometimes leads to great difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.