What do human worms look like and how to get rid of them?

Symptoms of human worms are not always noticed promptly. Worm infections often have symptoms similar to those of other illnesses, such as allergies or indigestion. Worms live in different parts of the human body. Infected people may treat liver failure, chronic colds, or skin conditions without knowing the real cause of their poor health.

what is worm

The worms found in humans are parasitic worms that vary in size. They can enter the body through the mouth, nasal passages, eyes, urethra or anus. Most commonly, parasites live in the intestines, attaching to the intestinal walls with suckers, tentacles, or special teeth. Parasites can live in lung and brain tissue, respiratory mucosa, muscles, liver and gallbladder.Worms feed on substances, red blood cells, and tissue fluid that enter the bloodstream from the intestines.

Classification of helminthiasis: Types of human helminths

Different types of worms can inhabit the human body. Medical helminthology divides them into several categories based on the peculiarities of their body size:

• round (nematode)- Having an overall shape of lemon, linear, barrel or spindle. The head and tail of the nematode are slightly pointed. Oral appliances are characterized by three layers. Parasites move freely in soil, freshwater and seawater. Humans contain pinworms (which cause pinworm disease), roundworms, hookworms, and trichinella spiralis, which are all considered intestinal parasites. Guinea worm - These roundworms are spread through the subcutaneous tissue.
• Tape (tapeworm). This includes the following types of parasites: cattle, pork, dwarf tapeworm, broad tapeworm. Their body is like a thin ribbon, which can be 10 meters or more in length. The front part of the parasitic worm is equipped with suckers and hooks through which it attaches to the intestinal wall. Echinococcus tapeworms have a complex fixation system - 4 suckers surrounded by two rows of hooks.
• Flukes (trematodes)— This worm is characterized by a specific habitat in the body: gallbladder, bile duct. Representatives of flukes are Siberian flukes (4-13 mm) and Fasciolia (length 3-7 cm).

The life activities of worms can interfere with the normal functions of the human body. The parasite poisons the blood with toxins, causing dizziness, itchy skin, coughing and a poor night's sleep.

How did you get the parasite?

Everyone should know why worms appear in humans and where they live in the body:

• Threadworms and flatworms Dwarf tapeworms enter the body through dirty hands, eating unwashed vegetables, and drinking dirty water. Habitat: Intestine.
• Trichinella spiralis, cattle, pork tapeworm - infection occurs when eating poorly heat-treated meat (beef, pork). Site: Intestine.
• Opisthorchis, a wide variety of tapeworms (class Flukes or Cestoda). People can become infected by eating raw, unsalted, or undercooked fish. In fish, parasite larvae live in fat layers and muscles. In humans, they colonize the liver and gallbladder.
• Echinococcus, Siberian flukes, and Fasciolia are transmitted through contact with infected dogs; cats are a less common source of infection. Worms can live in the human liver, lungs, kidneys and heart. They develop within echinococcal cysts.

What do worms in human feces look like?

People can see dead roundworms in their stool 3-4 days after taking deworming tablets. These parasites that live in the human body can be up to 40 centimeters long, have sharp edges and are white in color.Pinworms usually leave the body within a few hours after eating milk, garlic, or foods that are too salty or spicy. Small white worms (up to 12 mm long) with sharp edges are clearly visible in the feces and around the anus.Large flatworms or tapeworms are almost impossible to see in their entirety (length from 3 to 10 m). After feeding, the worms are excreted from the body in the form of decaying fragments.

Signs of worms in humans

Symptoms of helminth infections in adults and children are often similar to those of other illnesses. This is due to the location (respiratory tract, liver, gallbladder) and life processes of the worm.

during acute phase

The acute phase is believed to be asymptomatic. But in most cases, the first symptoms of worms are mild and people ignore the parasitic disease. Less commonly, infected people develop symptoms of helminthiasis, including fever, nausea, and vomiting. The patient feels weak and loses his appetite.

in chronic phase

Symptoms of chronic helminthiasis depend on the type, number and habitat of worms.

Intestinal helminthiasis

Symptoms of intestinal worms in adults:

• worsening of digestion;
• Tenderness in the navel area;
• Intestinal dysfunction;
• Loss of appetite;
• lose weight;
• Pale skin;
• Bruising under the eyes;
• Anal itching.

Intestinal obstruction may occur against the background of gastrointestinal diseases. The pathological condition manifests as paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting accompanied by fecal odor.

extraintestinal helminthiasis

Main symptoms of liver, gallstone and lung worm infections:

• persistent fatigue;
• neurasthenia;
• Paroxysmal pain in the upper abdomen;
• performance degradation;
• Foul-smelling, fatty stools (steatorrhea);
• Urticaria, itchy skin;
• chest pain;
• chronic dry cough;
• Changes in skin color.

Extraintestinal parasites (Giardia, Opisthorchis, Fasciola) can cause not only headaches or skin diseases, but also depression. As a rule, pathological conditions develop if the symptoms of skin allergies do not disappear for a long time (itching, dry skin, rashes) or reappear after treatment.

How to Detect Worms: Diagnosis of Worm Infection

To diagnose worms, stool containing worm eggs needs to be collected. But the analysis does not always show positive results for the presence of parasites. First, not all types of worms are identified this way. Second, the time of submission of feces for analysis may not coincide with the time of parasite reproduction. Repeat testing for eggs after 2-3 days. If the results for the presence of symptoms are negative, the following testing methods can be prescribed:

• blood analysis- Elevated eosinophil levels and decreased hemoglobin levels indicate helminth infection.
• duodenal probing- Examination of duodenal secretions helps identify opioditis, giardiasis, and other human extraintestinal helminths.
• Ultrasound examination of the abdomen and other parts of the body— Examine the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, ducts, pancreas, muscles, brain, lungs for the presence of pathological changes characteristic of worm life (seals, cysts, nodules, blockages).
• Chest X-ray- This test is performed if pulmonary parasites are suspected (roundworms, echinococcosis, tapeworm larvae detected).
• CT scan- Detection of worms in the human brain, eyes and lungs.
• capsule endoscopy- Identify tape parasites.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay— Tests blood for antibodies against most known parasites.

In order to assess the severity of damage caused by worms to the body, immunological studies are required. It helps identify weaknesses in the body's immune system. After this, the pathological condition is treated comprehensively.

How to get rid of worms quickly and effectively

It is best to make an appointment with a parasitologist to learn how to remove worms from your body. Treating worms without your doctor's advice may cause poisoning and liver dysfunction.

Diet and Hygiene Features

Treatment of helminthiasis in adults and children should be supplemented by a diet that helps quickly eliminate worms and purify the body of toxins. It is necessary to exclude from the menu products that contribute to the life activity of parasites or poisoning of the body:

• meat, lard;
• All types of sweets;
• fresh milk;
• baked goods;
• Wheat porridge, pasta;
• Coffee, alcohol.

Your daily diet should include fresh carrot salad, probiotic fermented milk products, eggs, fresh vegetable juices, potatoes, vegetables and mushroom dishes. The duration of the diet during treatment for worms is determined by the doctor.Hygiene procedures for worm infections include frequent and thorough hand washing with soap. This procedure must be performed before eating, after going to the toilet and when returning from the street. Bed linen is changed 2-3 times a week. Be sure to iron after washing. After every shower, grab a clean towel.

drug

Treat worms in adults and children with the following medications:

• Benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintic - effective against nematodes and flukes. It is prohibited for children under 2 years old and should be used with caution by pregnant and lactating women. The dosage and frequency of taking the medication depends on the type of worm. For roundworms and mixed infections, prescribe 1 tablet. 2 times a day for three consecutive days. For treatment of pinworms, take 1 tablet daily for three consecutive days. Repeat the course after 21 days. Hydatid in adults can be eliminated by increasing the dose of the drug: the first 3 days - 500 mg in the morning and evening, the next 3 days - 500 mg 3 times a day, until complete recovery from the parasite. The duration of treatment for hydatid disease is determined by your doctor (4 to 6 weeks).
• Pyrazinoisoquinoline broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Contraindicated in children under 4 years of age and pregnant women (first month of pregnancy). Effective against muscle/tissue worms. Urogenital schistosomiasis (worms live in blood vessels near the bladder), intestines and abdomen are treated with a single dose of the drug (40 mg/10 kg). For severe parasitic vasculopathy, take tablets 20-25 mg/10 kg 3 times daily (every 6 hours).
• Broad-spectrum drugs of the benzimidazole class. Not for use on children under 2 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women. For the treatment of intestinal helminths, 400 mg/day for adults and 60 mg/10 kg for children. For parasites in the brain, the prescription is 800 mg/day for adults and 15 mg/kg for children, with a course of 8-30 days.

Antihelmintic drugs are toxic. They are not suitable for people with liver failure, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.

traditional method

How to Treat Worms with Home Remedies:

• Grind flax seeds (1 tablespoon). Pour the powder into 0. 5 liters of cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Drink 100 ml on an empty stomach in the morning and evening for 10 consecutive days. This formula helps fight nearly all parasites that can live in the human body - pinworms, tapeworms, giardia.
• Grind 300g of dried but not fried pumpkin seeds. Add enough warm boiled water to the powder to make a paste. Add a tablespoon of honey. Eat the entire mixture on an empty stomach. After 4 hours, take a laxative. This formula is effective against human intestinal worms.

Pumpkin seeds are an allergenic product, so skin itching may occur during worm treatment. Allergy tablets will help cope.

Which parasites can only be removed surgically?

Surgical treatment of helminthiasis requires the following conditions:

• Intestinal obstruction - a pathological condition caused by roundworms, tapeworms, flukes and other worms.
• Intestinal wall perforation - The bovine tapeworm burrows a hole in the intestinal wall and then enters the human abdominal cavity.
• Parasitic cholecystitis and subsequent pancreatic necrosis is caused by band-shaped parasites blocking the bile ducts.

Most commonly, surgery is used to treat hydatid disease. Parasitic cysts in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen of infected individuals are removed through laparotomy or laparoscopy.

How dangerous are parasitic infections to the body?

If left untreated, the pathology will take on a chronic form. The most dangerous things that can happen in the body during severe illness are destruction of internal tissue, suffocation, and blindness.

How to protect yourself from infection

Preventing worm infections in the body requires a person to:

• Follow personal hygiene rules carefully.
• Treat parasites in your pet promptly.
• Heat-process the fish for 60 minutes and the meat for 2-3 hours.

For people with strong immunity, the eggs will be neutralized, so the immune system must be continuously strengthened. To do this, it is enough to lead a healthy lifestyle and take vitamin and mineral complexes regularly.