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 identify the first signs in time, what are the consequences of ignoring symptoms, why is it important to consult a 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 about the so-calledenterobiasisis a type of helminthiasis caused by worms of the genuspinworms(a medium-sized cavity worm, belongs to the group of white or gray-white roundworms).According to the latest data, of the majority of known cases, up to 37% of people suffer from damage from these worms.Although I personally am sure that the figure is underestimated, since mainly groups of children are being studied, but adults also become infected.
In second placeascariasisis a type of helminthiasis caused by roundworms belonging to the class of nematodes, familyroundworms(a roundworm of a reddish color (after death, the body color changes to yellowish-white). Its prevalence in the population is several times lower, but the course of ascariasis is more severe and is characterized by a number of serious complications.
On average, about 20 species of helminths are found in countries.In addition, infection can be combined, when different groups of helminths are detected in the body.
Symptoms of 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, intestines, 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 a major 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:
- lack of appetite;
- indigestion;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bad breath;
- persistent runny nose and cough;
- skin rashes;
- night itching around the anus;
- pain in the navel area;
- increased fatigue
and so on.
Typically, the body gives the above signals at later stages of development of helminthic infestation.In the early stages, it is quite difficult to suspect something.
Worms don't like onions and garlic
— Why is it believed that children are more susceptible to infection than adults?
—Firstly, in adults the body is stronger.Immunity is generally higher, and it copes better with uninvited guests.
Secondly, the pH level in the stomach of babies and their parents is different.In children it is neutral.In adults, the acidity is higher, and helminths really do not like an acidic environment.
Thirdly, adults have a different diet.What increases acidity?Onions, garlic, mustard, hot spices, bitter herbs (like wormwood, tripoli, St. John's wort) and...alcohol.When these products are consumed, gastric juice becomes especially caustic, which does not give a chance for life to many parasites that get there.Although adults also consume unheated fish, meat and seafood, which may indeed contain helminths.This is a certain risk.
With the fashion for a healthy lifestyle, freshly squeezed juices have appeared on the tables of many people.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 youngest candy than onions (although in small quantities, if the child wants, he may well be allowed to try this vegetable, of course, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby’s health).
Unfortunately, today beautiful and tasty fast food has appeared, which children love very much.But such food is fast, easily digestible carbohydrates, which do not change the acidity of the stomach upward, but simply prepare a cozy and pleasant habitat for parasites.
— What treatment is prescribed?
— You shouldn’t make decisions on your own, especially in relation to your children.If you have any suspicions, contact your physician 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 stool for the presence of helminths (feces for worm eggs).A general blood test also helps.A possible problem is indicated by: low hemoglobin content, increased ESR, increased number of eosinophils.A modern method of laboratory diagnostics is also effective - blood testing using ELISA.
Based on the data obtained, as well as on the characteristics of your particular 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: medicines aimed at combating helminths are very toxic.To make sure of this, just look at the list of possible side effects.Believe me, what you see may leave you in a state of shock.That is why it is so important that the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment and, while healing one thing, we do not cripple something else.
Important!Since enterobiasis is characterized by a fairly high contagiousness (the ability of infectious diseases to be transmitted 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 through 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 settle the issue at the pregnancy planning stage.
If an infection is discovered, of course, the process cannot be started.The problem needs to 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 child.But the mother is in contact with the baby, so through touch, bottles, clothing, and so on, she can still transmit parasite larvae.
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 child to artificial nutrition, since the toxic substances of the drug taken are also excreted along with the milk.The baby’s body is not ready for such serious stress.
Dog worms are more dangerous to humans than cat worms
— How often should I be tested for the presence of worms?
— The opinions of experts here vary.Many epidemiologists believe that it is necessary to provide courses of preventive medications to entire groups (in kindergartens, schools, work institutions).But if at least one person refused these actions, there is not much point in them.Even if the only infected one remains, as I 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.An outbreak of the disease is usually observed in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).During these periods, it would be good to independently contact a pediatrician or therapist, get tested and check if everything is fine, and at the same time (if we talk about children), if a problem is identified, it would be a good idea to warn the group teacher in the kindergarten or the teacher at school about it, so that they inform all other parents and take action.
— Are helminths transmitted from animals to owners?
- Yes, besides, cats, as a rule, transmit more of their species than dogs, but the helminths of the latter are more serious.For example, dogs can causetoxocariasisin humans.This is a helminthiasis from the group of nematodes, characterized by fever, bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatosplenomegaly, and eosinophilia.
I still don’t understand why we don’t strictly ensure that there are more separate areas for walking pets and why owners don’t clean up after their pets outside, like in all civilized countries.After all, it is primarily thanks to dog feces that helminths are spread throughout the area.Moreover, you must admit that “mines” can often be found near children’s playgrounds.So it turns out that there is no dog at home, but the child has a whole bunch of characteristic worms.
If you have a pet, remember the following rules:
- do not kiss pets;
- don't let them into your bed;
- do not forget to wash your hands often, especially before eating;
- have your animal examined by a veterinarian in a timely manner;
- if your dog has worms, consult a doctor; most likely, the whole family will need to take the medicine;
- try to walk your pets in the right place.
I would like to draw the attention of lovers of everything unusual to the fact that before purchasing an exotic animal, study in detail the information about its physiology, make sure that it is healthy, and find out about the possible risks.After all, turtles, monkeys, iguanas, lemurs, and so on can bring parasites into your home that our body is completely unfamiliar with.All this sometimes leads to great difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.