One person can be a carrier of four hundred types of parasites.Every year, helminths (commonly known as worms) infect millions of people around the world.The problem itself is called “helminthiasis” and is considered very common.How to promptly identify the first signs, what are the consequences of ignoring symptoms, why consult a doctor before going to the pharmacy and what should pet owners know?Parasitology expert Marina Zeonovna answered these questions for us.
The most common types of worms are pinworms and roundworms.
Marina Zenonovna, what kind of worm should you know about first?
— I think many people have heard about the so-calledintestinal diseaseis a type of helminth disease caused by worms of the genuspinworm(medium-sized cavities, belonging to the group of white or gray-white roundworms).According to the latest data, in the majority of known cases, up to 37% of people suffered damage caused by this worm.Although personally I am sure that this number is underestimated, since mainly pediatric groups were studied, adults are also infected.
In second placeAscaris diseaseis a type of helminth disease caused by roundworms of the nematode class, familyroundworms(a type of roundworm with a red color (after death, the body color changes to yellow-white). Its prevalence in the population is many times lower, but the course of roundworm disease is more severe and has a number of serious complications.
On average, there are about 20 species of helminths found in countries.In addition, infections can combine 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 and larval migration, 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 infection, that is, the number of larvae entering the body and the degree of their development.Immunity plays an important role, as most parasites are dead on arrival due to saliva, gastric juices, enzymes, etc.Worms that still manage to survive infect the body and interfere with its harmonious functioning.
SymptomBoth children and adults can have very different things:
- lack of appetite;
- indigestion;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bad breath;
- runny nose and persistent cough;
- skin rash;
- itching at night around the anus;
- navel pain;
- increased fatigue
and so on.
Normally, the body gives the above signals at a later stage of helminth development.In the early stages, it is quite difficult to suspect something.
Worms do not like onions and garlic
— Why is it believed that children are more susceptible to infections than adults?
—First, in adults the body is healthier.Immunity is generally higher and it copes better with uninvited guests.
Monday, the pH levels in the stomachs of infants and their parents are different.In children it is neutral.In adults, acidity is higher and helminths really do not like acidic environments.
Tuesday, adults have different diets.What increases acidity?Onions, garlic, mustard, spicy spices, bitter herbs (like wormwood, tripoli, St. John's wort) and...wine.When these products are consumed, gastric juice becomes especially caustic, not giving many parasites a chance to live there.Although adults also eat unheated fish, meat and seafood, they may actually contain worms.This is a certain risk.
With the fashion for a healthy lifestyle, fresh juices have appeared on the tables of many people.This is good, they contain phytoncides that prevent the growth of parasites and even kill them.I advise you to pay special attention to carrot, cabbage and beet juice.
The nutrition of boys and girls is monitored by parents, who are more likely to agree to give their children candy than onions (although in small quantities, if the child wants, he can of course be allowed to try this vegetable, taking into account the individual characteristics of his health).
Unfortunately, today there have appeared beautiful and delicious fast food dishes that are extremely loved by children.But such food is fast, easily digestible carbohydrates that do not increase the acidity of the stomach, but only prepare a cozy and pleasant living environment for parasites.
- What treatment is prescribed?
— You should not make your own decisions, especially regarding your children.If you have any doubts, contact your doctor or pediatrician.Your doctor will order tests, the results of which will determine whether an infection is present and how severe it is.
To diagnose, it is necessary to examine the stool for the presence of helminths (stool for helminth eggs).General blood tests are also helpful.A possible problem is: low hemoglobin content, increased ESR, increased eosinophil count.A modern laboratory diagnostic method is also effective - blood testing using ELISA.
Based on the data obtained, as well as the characteristics of your particular organism or the child's body, the specialist will choose the appropriate drug and (very important) its dosage.
Why can't you go to the pharmacy and ask for “something for worms”?We must remember: drugs intended to fight helminths are very toxic.To be sure about 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 important that the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment and that while healing one thing, we do not paralyze another.
Important!Since helminthiasis is characterized by a fairly high infectiousness (the possibility of an infectious disease being transmitted from a sick person or animal to a healthy person (animal), it is necessary to examine the relatives of an infected person. Therefore, treatment may be necessary not only for the person suffering from helminthiasis, but also for all family members (adults, children and even pets).
Worms live long enough in open environments and are transmitted through contact and objects from infected people to healthy people.This is why personal hygiene is so important.
Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women should be especially careful
– Are these medications prescribed to pregnant women?
– Helminth disease is an extremely undesirable condition for pregnant women.It will be better if you try to check everything and solve the problem at the pregnancy planning stage.
Of course, if an infection is detected, this process cannot begin.The problem needs to be resolved.There are no special anthelmintic medications for pregnant women.Therefore, the doctor, after carefully examining the woman's condition, will follow the path of least resistance.He must choose an individual treatment regimen that is effective but at the same time gentle on the body in each specific case.
– Can worms be transmitted from mother to child through milk?
- Are not.On the contrary, milk contains immunoglobulins that protect children.But the mother is in contact with her child, so through contact, milk bottles, clothes... can still transmit parasite larvae.
By the way, I think everyone understands that if a nursing mother is prescribed anthelmintic drugs, she should be warned that during this period it is necessary to transfer the child to artificial nutrition, because the toxic substances of the ingested drugs are also excreted with 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 check for the presence of worms?
– The opinions of experts here are very different.Many epidemiologists believe that it is necessary to provide courses in preventive medicine to the entire group (in kindergartens, schools, work settings).But if at least one person rejects these actions, they are of little use.Even if there is only one infected animal left, as I said, the possibility of further spread of helminths is very high.
But this does not mean that you should not check your body from time to time and get help if something suddenly goes wrong.The disease often breaks out in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).During these periods, it would be good to independently contact a pediatrician or therapist, check and check that everything is okay, and at the same time (if we talk about children), if a problem is identified, you should warn the group teacher in the kindergarten or the teacher at school about it so that they inform all other parents and take action.
— Can helminths be transmitted from animals to owners?
- Yes, in addition, as a rule, cats transmit more of their species than dogs, but helminths in the latter species are more serious.For example, dogs can cause itToxocariasis of dogsin humans.This is a type of helminth disease belonging to 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 more separate areas for pets to roam, and why owners don't clean up after their pets outside, like in all civilized countries.After all, it is mainly due to dog feces that helminths spread throughout the area.Furthermore, you must admit that “mines” can often be found near children's playgrounds.It turned out that there was no dog in the house, but the child had a bunch of typical worms.
If you have pets, remember the following rules:
- Do not kiss pets;
- don't let them into your bed;
- Don't forget to wash your hands regularly, especially before eating;
- Take your pet to the veterinarian promptly;
- If your dog has worms, consult your doctor;it is likely that the entire family will need medication;
- Try to walk your pet in the right places.
I would like to draw the attention of lovers of everything unusual that before buying an exotic animal, study in detail information about its physiology, make sure that it is healthy and learn about possible risks.After all, turtles, monkeys, iguanas, lemurs, etc.can bring parasites into your home that are completely unfamiliar to our bodies.All this sometimes leads to great difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.