Helminthiases are prevalent in the modern world. They are able to affect many organs and tissues, disrupting their work. Moreover, the clinical picture of helminthiasis in humans can be very diverse. What are the symptoms of worms in humans?
According to statistics, every year about two million people become infected with helminths, however, given the unregistered cases, this number could increase several times. Infection of children and adolescents occurs more often.
All helminths can be divided into extraintestinal (tissue) and intestinal. Tissue hosts are animals, humans serve as an intermediate host for them. In this case, the disease will appear in different ways, depending on which organ the larvae will migrate. For example, if the larva migrates through the lungs, then the symptoms will mimic pneumonia, if through the intestines - bleeding, an inflammatory reaction; migration through the pancreas or bile ducts threatens to block them.
How can you get infected?
What are the ways of infection?
- Through soil and water (geohelminthiasis) - soil pollution occurs when helminth eggs enter it with human or animal feces. If you eat poorly processed root vegetables or water from open tanks, helminth eggs will enter the body. Therefore, all vegetables, fruits, berries should be thoroughly washed with tap water and treated with boiling water. Drinking water from open tanks is prohibited. This route of infection is also possible when humans come in contact with animals, especially pets. Therefore, children are more likely to become infected when they play with them.
- Contact an infected person (for example, breast worms). During sleep, the worm is able to crawl out of the anus and lay eggs. The patient has itching. Eggs remain on the hands, under the nails and, if not removed in time from the skin, remain on all items with which the infected person has come in contact.
- Biohelminthiasis - an infection when eating meat, lard, fish that has not been subjected to adequate heat treatment, or has been eaten raw.
- Through insect bites.
Helminths are basically a problem of children, as children in the process of learning about the world pull dirty hands and various objects in the mouth enjoying them. This problem will only be resolved between the ages of three and six, and before that time, children have a higher risk of infection than adults.
Common signs of infection
What signs will indicate the onset of helminthiasis?
The symptoms of helminthiasis can be similar to diseases of certain organs: gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, nervous system, immune system. Helminthiases can appear as allergic reactions.
Gastrointestinal tract disorders
The localization of parasites in the intestine is manifested by symptoms of upset stomach and intestines: the appearance of vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, bloating, pain in the umbilical region, in the right hypochondrium. Constipation may be associated with mechanical closure of the intestinal lumen by helminths. The severity of the symptoms depends on the number of helminths in the body.
Nervous system disorders and general manifestations
They are associated with the release of toxic substances from parasites. The intensity of the manifestation also depends on the number of helminths. Symptoms of nervous system dysfunction are as follows: dizziness, headache, vomiting - migraine-like symptoms. Fever, muscle and joint pain are possible. Drowsiness, irritability, sleep disturbances, anemia appear.
Allergic manifestations
With allergic manifestations, the gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory system are affected. Itching, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness appear, sometimes vomiting may be observed. A burning sensation is possible in the throat, mouth and nose. Nasal congestion and sneezing occur. How to distinguish allergies from the symptoms of helminth infection? The following anamnestic and laboratory signs should be considered:
- the patient's relatives have no history of allergies;
- the patient had no history of allergic reactions;
- attending kindergarten;
- have difficulty breathing every two weeks;
- eosinophils in blood test over 8%;
- lack of effect from antiallergic therapy;
- in the study for immunoglobulins IgE is increased, while the study for allergens is negative.
If the patient has the listed symptoms, allergic manifestations are associated with parasitic invasion.
Respiratory dysfunction
When parasites enter the lungs, pneumonia-like symptoms may appear: cough, fever, hemoptysis. Sore throat can also indicate helminthiasis. When worms migrate from the intestines to the lungs, a sore throat can occur. Sore throat is a sign of the presence of a foreign body. There is a dry cough that can not be stopped. A cough of this type can occur not only due to the presence of parasites in the throat, but also if they migrate through the nasopharynx. The mucosa taken for analysis will help identify worms in the throat.
Decreased immune defense
Due to the fact that helminths deprive the host of vitamins and minerals, and also have a toxic effect, a decrease in immune defense is observed. This is manifested by frequent colds or exacerbations of chronic diseases in remission, inflammation in the throat.
Damage to the female reproductive system
Violation of the functioning of the reproductive system in a woman does not always indicate gynecological disease. Helminths in the female body can also appear as symptoms of reproductive system dysfunction. From what symptoms can be suspected the presence of helminths in the female genitals? Loss of the reproductive system by worms in women is manifested by secretions, an unpleasant odor from the genitals.
In women, thrush can become a sign of helminthiasis. Thrush in women can develop due to a decrease in immunity and a violation of the microflora, which is simply possible with helminthiasis. Possible inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system in women. Along with this, hair can fall out and nails can bloom, as well as drowsiness and fatigue may appear. All of the above are the symptoms of helminthic invasion in women.
How to determine the type of helminth according to the symptoms
How to determine which helminths have invaded the body? Symptoms are determined by the location of the parasite in the body and its type. When do the first symptoms appear? The first signs of helminth infestation can appear both after two days and after six months, depending on the type of helminth.
Worms, enterobiasis - you may suspect an infestation of these helminths if you are concerned about itching in the anal area, which becomes more frequent at night. Itching usually lasts for a few days, then goes away for a while and reappears.
Trichocephaly, schistosomiasis, difilobothriasis - the main symptoms are anemia and lack of vitamins. Such manifestations are associated with the toxic effects of worms in the intestines and the development of dysbiosis.
Roundworms - in the initial stage of roundworm infection, weakness, cough, there may be blood in saliva, fever, choking is possible (with a high number of parasite). In a blood test the level of eosinophils increases and allergic reactions appear. At a later stage, the functions of the gastrointestinal tract are disrupted: proteins are not digested, there is a strong weight loss.
Trichinosis - worms are localized in the muscles. In the initial stage, the disease is manifested by nausea, vomiting and impaired appetite. In the next stage, the helminths localize to the muscles and cause muscle pain, swelling in the eyelids, fever, and redness of the skin. Further, there is a noticeable recovery, but the worms are in the muscles. The parasites cause dense lesions in the muscles.
Fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis - it is possible to suspect an invasion of these parasites if there is yellowing of the skin, enlargement of the liver, spleen, inflammation of the pancreas, dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
Strongyloidosis - manifests itself with symptoms indicating a biliary tract dysfunction, indigestion and allergies.
Helminthiasis test
When should you seek help from a specialist? Positive answers to the following questions will help diagnose the presence of helminths in the body with a high degree of probability:
- itching in the anal area;
- nausea, vomiting;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- allergic manifestations;
- skin rash;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- frequent headaches, dizziness;
- restless sleep;
- there is bitterness in the mouth;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
- stomach ache;
- yellowing of the skin;
- the family has children attending kindergarten;
- pain in muscles and joints, not caused by anything;
- periodic increase in body temperature;
- there are pets in the house;
- eating insufficiently thermally processed meat, fat or fish;
- weight loss;
- use of unwashed vegetables and fruits that have not been previously treated with boiling water.
The more positive responses, the greater the risk of having helminths in the body. If there are seven positive answers, then there is a probability of the presence of a helminth, if more than fifteen, then the probability of the presence of a helminth in the body is very high.
Diagnosing
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
- Feces on worm eggs.
- Cracking from the anus.
- Scraping for enterobiasis.
- Complete blood count (increased eosinophil count).
- Cracking from the vagina in women.
- Blood test for giardiasis.
- Antibody search by serological methods; when can antibodies be found in the body? Twenty-one or more days after worm infection.
- Study of operative material (for echinococcosis).
- Lymph node biopsy (cysticercosis).
- Muscle biopsy - trichinosis.
Treatment
For the treatment of helminthiasis, there are tablets with a narrow and wide spectrum of action. Treatment of a certain type of helminth should be done with certain medications. The tablets are prescribed only by a doctor after all examinations, as worm pills have a toxic effect on the body. Therefore, the doctor will choose the necessary regimen and duration of treatment, taking into account age and weight.
The following tablets are often used to treat helminthiasis:
- mebendazole-containing drugs are suitable for the treatment of trichocephaly;
- Levamisole-containing tablets - used for ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichostrongylosis, strongyloidiasis.
In advanced cases, the pills may not help, then surgical treatment is used.