A 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 identify the first signs in time, what are the consequences of ignoring the 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.
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 roundwormsbreast worms(medium-sized cavity worm, belongs to the group of white or gray-to-white roundworms).According to the latest data, from the majority of known cases, up to 37% of people suffer from the damage of these worms.Although I am personally sure that the number 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 nematode class, familyroundworms(a round worm with a reddish color (after death, the color of the body changes to yellow-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, the 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 be located anywhere: in the liver, intestines, lungs and even in the brain.
- Why are helminths dangerous?
— The risk will be determined by the degree of infection, i.e. the number of larvae that have entered the body and the degree of their development.Immunity plays a big role, as most parasites die upon arrival due to saliva, gastric juice, enzymes, etc.Those poisons 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;
- constant runny nose and cough;
- skin rash;
- itching at night around the anus;
- pain in the navel area;
- increased fatigue
and so on.
Typically, the body gives the above signals in the later stages of the development of helminthic infection.In the early stages, it is quite difficult to suspect anything.
Worms do not like onions and garlic
— Why is it believed that children are more susceptible to infection than adults?
-First of all, in adults the body is stronger.Immunity is generally higher and 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, acidity is higher, and helminths really do not like an acidic environment.
Thirdly, adults have a different diet.What increases acidity?Onion, garlic, mustard, hot spices, bitter herbs (like wormwood, tripoli, St. John's wort) and...alcohol.When these products are consumed, the gastric juice becomes particularly caustic, which does not give life to many parasites that get there.Although adults also consume uncooked fish, meat and seafood, which can actually contain toxins.This is a definite 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 beet juices.
The nutrition of boys and girls is monitored by parents, who are more likely to agree to give younger candy than onions (although in small quantities, if the child wants, he can be allowed to try this vegetable, of course, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby's health).
Unfortunately, a beautiful and delicious fast food has appeared today, which children love very much.But such food is fast, easily digestible carbohydrates, which do not change the acidity of the stomach upwards, but simply prepare a comfortable and pleasant habitat for parasites.
- What treatment is prescribed?
— You should not make decisions on your own, especially regarding your children.If you have any doubts, contact your doctor or pediatrician.The doctor will order a test, the results of which will determine if there is an infection and how extensive it is.
For diagnosis, it is necessary to examine the feces 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 diagnosis is also effective - blood testing using ELISA.
Based on the data obtained, as well as on the characteristics of your particular body or the body of the child, the specialist will choose the right medicine and (which is very important) its dose.
Why can't you just go to the drugstore and ask for "something for the worms"?We must remember: drugs aimed at combating helminths are very toxic.To be sure of this, just look at the list of possible side effects.Trust me, what you see may leave you in a state of shock.That is why it is so important that the doctor prescribes the right treatment and, by 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, even adults, even adults.
Worms live quite a long time in an open environment and are transmitted through contact and through objects from an infected person to a healthy person.This is why personal hygiene is so important.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women should 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 solve the problem at the stage of pregnancy planning.
If an infection is detected, of course, the process cannot start.The problem must be solved.There are no specific anthelmintic drugs for pregnant women.Therefore, the doctor, after carefully examining the woman's condition, will follow the path of least resistance.He should choose an individual treatment regimen that will be effective, but at the same time gentle to 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, 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 food, since the toxic substances of the drug taken are also excreted together 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 be tested for worms?
- Experts' opinions differ here.Many epidemiologists believe that it is necessary to provide preventive medicine courses for whole groups (in kindergartens, schools, work institutions).But if at least one person refused these actions, there is not much sense in them.Even if he remains the only one infected, 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 goes 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, take a test and check if everything is in order, and at the same time (if we talk about children), if a problem is identified, it would be good to warn about it the teacher of the group in the kindergarten or the teacher at school, so that they inform all other parents and take measures.
— Are poisons transmitted from animals to owners?
- Yes, in addition, cats, as a rule, transmit more of their species than dogs, but the helminths of the latter are more serious.For example, dogs can causetoxocariasisto people.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 special areas for pet walking and why owners don't clean their pets outside like in all civilized countries.After all, it is mainly thanks to dog feces that the helminths are spread throughout the area.In addition, you must admit that "mines" can often be found near children's playgrounds.So it turns out that there is no dog in the house, 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 leave them in your bed;
- don't forget to wash your hands often, especially before eating;
- have your pet checked by a veterinarian at the right time;
- if your dog has worms, consult a doctor;most likely, the whole family will have to take the medicine;
- try to walk your pets in the right place.
I would like to draw the attention of lovers of anything unusual to the fact that before buying an exotic animal, study in detail the information about its physiology, make sure that it is healthy and learn about possible dangers.After all, turtles, monkeys, iguanas, lemurs, and so on can bring parasites into your home that our bodies are not completely familiar with.All this sometimes leads to great difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.