Symptoms of intestinal worms in adults: signs of infection

Helminthiasis is the most common parasitic infection affecting people of any age. Doctors are unable to give precise statistics on the number of cases because many people do not seek help from experts when they notice worrying symptoms, preferring to treat themselves. This approach can lead to serious complications becauseEven broad-spectrum drugs may not be effective against some types of worm infectionsFor example, filariasis - infection with filamentous nematodes.There are more than 400 species of worms known to inhabit the human body, and only laboratory examination of feces can accurately determine which worm is causing the disease. If you notice any signs of helminth infection, it is necessary to consult a doctor (general practitioner, proctologist or infectious disease specialist). The difficulty in prompt diagnosis in almost half of the cases lies in the absence of typical symptoms of helminthiasis, so it is important to know which signs may be indirect manifestations of helminthiasis. It is recommended that adults have a preventive stool examination and scraping for pinworms at least once a year.

How did you get infected?

Most patients consider helminth infection to be a "dirty hands disease. "This statement is only half true. Certain species of worms, such as tapeworms and other flatworms, can actually live in soil and sand, so without adequate hand hygiene, a person can become infected with helminthiasis, but this route of transmission mainly affects children. Younger age group (1 to 6 years old). For adults, the main sources of infection are poor quality food (expired dairy products, poorly processed meats, stale eggs) and tap water.How does worm infection occur?You can get worms in open rivers and reservoirs. In rare cases, people can become infected while swimming by leeches - representatives of the annelid species that cause leech disease. Its pathology is very serious, because the main food of leeches is blood and its components, causing damage to blood vessels, rapid progression of anemia and blood poisoning in the context of systemic poisoning. To avoid this, you should not swim in areas that are not equipped with "Swimming Allowed" signs. Soil/water samples are collected regularly during the summer at specially designated locations where the risk of infection is several times lower.Other sources of infection in humans may include:

• Street and domestic animals (only gloves need to be worn to clean the pet tray, the animals themselves should be bathed regularly and treated with deworming medication 2 times a year);
• polluted air;
• blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, ticks);
• Dust (including house dust that accumulates on stuffed animals and upholstered furniture).

notes!Some types of worms can enter the body through the skin, so physical contact with people diagnosed with helminthiasis should be limited as much as possible.The parasite quickly spreads throughout the body.

Acute infections in adults: signs and symptoms

It is possible to independently diagnose or suspect helminth infection at home only during the acute and subacute course of the disease. Depending on the type and number of worms and the status of your immune system, this process can take anywhere from 1 week to 4 months. Pathological symptoms are most evident during this period, so the chances of timely treatment and reducing the risk of acute complications are greatest.The main symptom of acute helminthiasis is intestinal dysfunction. Patients present with functional bowel disease, manifested by diarrhea or prolonged absence of stool (constipation is 4 times less common than diarrheal syndrome). The consistency of stool when infected with worms is thin, watery, and sometimes frothy. The smell is foul and pungent. Color may vary, but in most patients, the stool will become lighter and yellowish in color. If there is a large worm infestation, the stool may be brown or green. Sometimes they contain streaks of mucus and blood that are released when the worms damage the blood vessels and capillaries in the intestinal mucosa.In addition to other gastrointestinal symptoms, patients may experience abdominal pain, sudden unexplained vomiting, loss of appetite, and persistent nausea. Many patients lose weight during this period: weight loss can reach 10% within 2-4 months after onset. The skin becomes pale and a polymorphous rash appears, with vesicles or nodules filled with exudate. The same rash can also occur on the mucous membranes of the genitals, mouth, and internal organs. About 10-20% of people develop acne, boils, and pimples during this period. A red, pinprick-like rash may appear on the skin of the abdomen and elbows.Other signs of acute infection in adults include:

• Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (parasitic conjunctivitis);
• Swelling of the face, limbs, and neck (may be accompanied by edema of internal organs);
• Fever;
• Fever and chills against a background of periodic increases in temperature to 38°C and above.

important!Anal itching is considered a cardinal symptom of helminthiasis and is primarily characteristic of enterobiasis (pinworm infection). This is caused by irritation of the skin in the anorectal area by the nocturnal secretions of female pinworms. This clinical picture is not considered typical of other acute forms of helminth infection.

Chronic Infection: What Symptoms to Watch for?

The chronic form of helminthiasis is a very common pathology that occurs when the acute phase is not treated promptly. Most clinical symptoms subside and diminish during this period, but do not completely disappear. A person may experience mild abdominal pain, nausea, and possibly vomiting immediately after eating or periodically within 1-2 hours after eating. The rash usually persists. If the reaction is severe, the patient may experienceAngioedema is a fatal disease associated with laryngospasm and bronchospasm.One of the main symptoms of chronic helminth infection (and its complications) is anemia. It manifests as unnatural pallor, fatigue (chronic fatigue syndrome), and weakness. A person's performance may decrease, they may become lethargic, and they may experience emotional instability.

If the hepatobiliary system is affected

The hepatobiliary system, including the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts, is a primary target of parasite attack. Worms can feed on liver parenchymal cells, blood, bile, and bile acid components. This form of pathology manifests itself as severe pain under the right ribs in the upper abdomen. The nature of the pain can be stinging, cutting, or dagger-like, so many people mistake it for an attack of biliary colic (this is especially common in patients with chronic disease of the gallbladder and bile ducts).Obstructive jaundice is another sign that requires immediate diagnosis. Yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes may be a sign of dangerous liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or a symptom of parasite damage to organ tissue.important!Hepatobiliary helminthiasis is one of the most serious pathological types. Without adequate and timely treatment, patients may die from acute poisoning and liver tissue necrosis.

Clinical indicators - signs of helminth infection

Doctors may suspect a parasitic infection if the results of three blood tests confirm that the patient is anemic (low hemoglobin levels). For adults, normal hemoglobin is 120 to 140 g/L. In some cases, such as during pregnancy, this number may be slightly lower - up to 110 g/L. However, the amount of hemoglobin should not fall below these values. Anemia in patients with helminthiasis progresses rapidly because almost 90% of the parasites feed on human blood and damage small blood vessels.Another persistent clinical sign of chronic helminthiasis isEosinophilia - an absolute or relative increase in the level of eosinophils in the blood. This is a type of granulocyte white blood cell cluster and is a major indicator of the body's allergy readiness. When infected with parasites, it is always accompanied by itchy skin and a polymorphous rash.

How to protect yourself from worm infection?

The basic rule to help protect the body from worms is strict hygiene - starting with hand hygiene. When washing, it's best to use a soap that contains antibacterial ingredients or a natural laundry soap with a fatty acid concentration of at least 72%. Laundry soap has significant disinfection and antibacterial effects and has a good preventive effect on infectious diseases. If you can't stand the smell of laundry soap, you can use products with fragrance additives.Food must be prepared according to hygiene and heat treatment standards. It is recommended to rinse vegetables and fruits with boiling water or wash them with soap, and fry or boil meat at high temperature for at least 30-40 minutes. The minimum time to cook eggs is 20 minutes. It is important to monitor the quality and freshness of your products and double-check expiry dates. If a product does not have the necessary information and labels, it is best to refuse to purchase it.If you have pets at home, deworming courses are necessary twice a year even if the pets do not go out, as insect eggs can be brought into the apartment through outdoor shoes and clothing. The safest repellents for dogs and cats are chicken-flavored tablets.

What medicine should I take if I have worm disease?

Treatment of helminthiasis can only be prescribed by a doctor, since all anthelmintics are highly toxic and can negatively affect liver conditions. This table lists commonly used drugs with a broad range of effects and their dosages, but should be used only after laboratory diagnosis and consultation with a specialist.

Signs, Treatment, and Symptoms of Intestinal Worms in Adults

There are about 250 species of worms living in the adult body. They are produced when parasites enter the human body and cause various diseases.The presence of worms in people's intestines is masked by other diseases.A person may be treated for a disease for years without realizing they have bugs in their body. It was only after a course of parasite treatment that she felt much better.

Classification of worms

Parasites are divided into 3 categories:

1. roundworms;
2. flatworm;
3. lucky.

Worm groups are also distinguished based on biological characteristics:

1. biological worm- Tapeworms, pork and cattle. During their development into adulthood, they change hosts, starting with insects and eventually migrating to humans.
2. soil worm— Roundworms, whipworms and many other parasites immediately invade the adult body and begin development from the initial stages.
3. touch- Pinworms, dwarf tapeworms. The infected enter.

Where can parasites live?

The parasite primarily infects the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are types that can live in other organs:

• Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormsLives in the large intestine.
• Thematodes- Enters the liver and gallbladder.
• pork tapewormFound in any organ in adults.

Types of microbes living in adults

Worms such as roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms are mainly found in adults. They actively absorb nutrients from the adult body, leading to metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other diseases.Worms in humans:

• roundworms:Infection can occur after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
• Wide tape:When eating raw fish.
• Pinworm:Be in contact with other people who are infected with the parasite and use the same utensils and linens.

The worms develop over a period of time, usually lasting 15 to 60 days, after which the chronic stage of the disease occurs.After transitioning to the chronic stage, a person's immunity will decline. Against the background of physical weakness, inflammation begins immediately.

Cause of worms

Worms in humans can cause severe poisoning of the body. If worms appear on an adult body, symptoms depend on the type of parasite, its habitat and the number of parasites, which can multiply several, or even thousands, times per day.How long does it take for the first signs to start appearing?For example, with roundworms, two to three days is enough to notice bad conditions. Most often, infections with other types of parasites occur in adults; the first symptoms appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis are expected to appear within 6 to 18 months.The danger is that in some cases, worm diseases occur without obvious symptoms. When the parasite reaches huge size, symptoms may appear.

1. Pinworm—The main symptom of the presence of these parasites in adults is itching, which worsens at night. This frequency may last for one or two days and then not bother you for a few weeks. If the infection is severe, itching often occurs.
2. Trouble— One symptom of infection with this type of worm is anemia. Nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and severe weight loss may occur.
3. roundworms- Rash all over the body but may also appear on different parts of the body, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss. If this parasite is not noticed promptly, the integrity of the intestinal tract may be compromised. If roundworms get into the appendix, severe inflammation of the organ can occur.

If the number of worms increases several times, high temperatures may occur. But in rare cases, parasitic infections are asymptomatic. But basically, the symptoms of a worm infection are not difficult to detect. In the early stages of helminth development, it is necessary to start appropriate comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not develop into a chronic disease.

How parasites enter the body. Infect

Parasitic infections occur in four ways.

1. Travel through mud and water with egg worms. By communicating with animals and when eating food and products landed by flies carrying parasite eggs. Wash your hands thoroughly every time you come into contact with soil. Vegetables and fruits collected from the site should be washed with water using a special scraper or sponge. You should not drink spring water because parasite eggs often live in the water. Water should not be swallowed while swimming in ponds, rivers, or other bodies of water.
2. From people who have parasites such as pinworms. Breeding occurs at night. The female crawls out of the intestines and lays one or more eggs in the folds of the anal canal. Subsequently, itching naturally occurs, the person scratches, and worm eggs remain on underwear, hands and surrounding objects. If you don't wash your hands properly, pinworm eggs can get into your mouth and cause an infection. This is the most common method of parasitic infection.
3. When eating undercooked raw meat and fish.
4. Through mosquito bites, fly bites, etc.

When worms enter the body, two stages of development can occur: acute and chronic.The acute phase begins the moment the worm enters the body and can last from two weeks to two months.The second stage begins after a person does not get rid of the worms and continues throughout life. When worms enter the body, poor nutrient absorption occurs.

Where can parasites live?

The parasite primarily infects the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are types that can live in other organs:

• Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormsLives in the large intestine.
• Thematodes- Enters the liver and gallbladder.
• pork tapewormFound in any organ in adults.

Types of microbes living in adults

Worms such as roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms are mainly found in adults. They actively absorb nutrients from the adult body, leading to metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other diseases.Worms in humans:

• roundworms:Infection can occur after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
• Wide tape:When eating raw fish.
• Pinworm:Be in contact with other people who are infected with the parasite and use the same utensils and linens.

The worms develop over a period of time, usually lasting 15 to 60 days, after which the chronic stage of the disease occurs.After transitioning to the chronic stage, a person's immunity will decline. Against the background of physical weakness, inflammation begins immediately.

Cause of worms

Worms in humans can cause severe poisoning of the body. If worms appear on an adult body, symptoms depend on the type of parasite, its habitat and the number of parasites, which can multiply several, or even thousands, times per day.How long does it take for the first signs to start appearing?For example, with roundworms, two to three days is enough to notice bad conditions. Most often, infections with other types of parasites occur in adults; the first symptoms appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis are expected to appear within 6 to 18 months.The danger is that in some cases, worm diseases occur without obvious symptoms. When the parasite reaches huge size, symptoms may appear.

1. Pinworm—The main symptom of the presence of these parasites in adults is itching, which worsens at night. This frequency may last for one or two days and then not bother you for a few weeks. If the infection is severe, itching often occurs.
2. Trouble— One symptom of infection with this type of worm is anemia. Nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and severe weight loss may occur.
3. roundworms- Rash all over the body but may also appear on different parts of the body, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss. If this parasite is not noticed promptly, the integrity of the intestinal tract may be compromised. If roundworms get into the appendix, severe inflammation of the organ can occur.

The first symptoms of human worms are as follows:

• Rash causing persistent itching;
• Generalized and localized swelling;
• Coughing, choking;
• Inflammation of lymph nodes;
• weakness, fatigue;
• joint pain, lower abdomen;
• serious illness;
• Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, intestinal pain;
• Damage to the central nervous system.

If the number of worms increases several times, high temperatures may occur. But in rare cases, parasitic infections are asymptomatic. But basically, the symptoms of a worm infection are not difficult to detect. In the early stages of helminth development, it is necessary to start appropriate comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not develop into a chronic disease.

Tests to detect parasites in adults

In order to diagnose the presence of worms in adults, stool samples need to be collected and studied. For certain types of worms, additional tests are collected:

• Collect scrapings from the adult anal canal to check for the presence of eggworms;
• In women, collect scrapings from the vagina, navel area, and inguinal folds;
• perform immunological testing;
• Collect urine and blood tests.

If a single individual worm is present in the body, adults will not notice symptoms occurring. If there are a large number of parasites in the body, symptoms can appear in a rather complex way. Especially with certain types of worms, people can suffer in the evening and at night.To clear the body of parasites, a doctor will prescribe an individualized treatment plan.

Treatment of helminth infection

There are many preventive measures and treatments available in the modern world, each with its own specialty for treating various types of parasites.There are about 70 species of parasites in my country. Precise treatment and medication can only be given after examination as these drugs are highly toxic. In addition, appropriate treatment should be carried out for each type of parasite.Since there is a risk of reinfection, the course of treatment may be repeated.

ethnoscience

Treatment can also be done using traditional methods. Time-tested methods are considered effective. These include eating pumpkin seeds and tansy plants.In the modern world, pumpkin seeds are believed to be best eaten in the morning on an empty stomach. You need to eat 300 grams of seeds in one hour. It is recommended to add honey after grinding. Don't eat anything for four hours and use laxatives and enemas to cleanse your stomach.It is recommended to repeat the treatment after two weeks. Carrots or carrot juice are also believed to help fight parasites. Mugwort decoction will help with this problem; it must be taken orally or as an enema.

Prevent worms. What is it used for?

You need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, drink purified or boiled water, use personal hygiene products and your own cutlery, bed linens and other personal belongings.All pet vaccinations must be completed on time. Vegetables and fruits need to be thoroughly washed and meat and fish heated before consumption. For prevention, take antiparasitic medications. Raw, dried or dried fish from freshwater bodies should not be consumed. To avoid getting infected with worms, you just need to follow preventive rules.