A person can be a carrier of four hundred types of parasites.Every year, helminths (more 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 symptoms, why is it important to consult a doctor before going to the pharmacy, and what should pet owners know?Parasitologist Marina Zeononovna answers these questions for us.
The most common types of worms are pinworms and roundworms.
Marina Zenonovna, what kind of worms do you need to know first?
— I think many have heard of the so-calledenterobiasisis a type of helminthiasis caused by worms of the genuspinworms(medium-sized cavity worms, belonging to the group of white or gray-white roundworms).According to the latest data, of the majority of known cases, up to 37% of people suffer damage from this worm.Although I am personally convinced that the figure is underestimated, because mostly children are being studied, but adults are also infected.
In second placeascariasisis a type of helminthiasis caused by roundworms that belong to the nematode class, familyroundworm(roundworms are reddish in color (after death, the color of the body changes to yellowish white). Its prevalence in the population is several times lower, but the course of ascariasis is more severe and is characterized by some serious complications.
On average, about 20 species of helminths are found in the countries.In addition, infections can be combined, when different groups of helminths are detected in the body.
Symptoms of infection rarely appear immediately
— Where do these parasites live in the human body?
"Their localization is complex, there are many classifications, and depending on the species, as well as 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 level of attack, that is the number of larvae that have entered the body and the stage of development.Immunity plays a major role, as most parasites die on arrival due to saliva, gastric juice, enzymes, etc.Helminths that still manage to survive infect the body and disrupt its harmonious function.
symptomsboth children and adults can have very different:
- lack of appetite;
- indigestion;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bad breath;
- persistent runny nose and cough;
- skin rash;
- night itching around the anus;
- pain in the navel area;
- increased fatigue
and so on.
Usually, the body gives the above signal at a later stage of the development of a helminthic attack.At the initial stage, it is quite difficult to suspect something.
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 usually higher, and it can cope with uninvited guests better.
Second, the pH levels in the stomachs of babies and their parents are different.In children it is neutral.In adults, the acidity is higher, and helminths really do not like an acidic environment.
Third, adults have different diets.What increases acidity?Onions, garlic, mustard, hot spices, bitter herbs (like wormwood, tripoli, St. John's wort) and...alcohol.When this product is consumed, the gastric juice becomes very caustic, which does not give a chance to live to many parasites that get there.Although adults also consume unheated fish, meat and seafood, which may contain helminths.This is a certain risk.
With the fashion for a healthy lifestyle, freshly squeezed juice has appeared on many people's tables.This is good, it contains phytoncides that suppress the development of parasites and also kill them.I would recommend paying 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 youngest sweets than onions (although in small quantities, if the child wants, he may be allowed to try this vegetable, of course, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby's health).
Unfortunately, today beautiful and delicious fast food has appeared, which children love very much.But such food is a fast, easily digestible carbohydrate, which does not change the acidity of the stomach upwards, but only provides 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 suspicions, contact your doctor or pediatrician.The doctor will order a test, the results of which will determine if there is an infection and to what extent.
For diagnosis, it is necessary to check the feces for the presence of helminths (feces for worm eggs).General blood tests are also helpful.Problems that may be indicated by: low hemoglobin content, increased ESR, increased number of eosinophils.Modern methods of laboratory diagnostics are also effective - blood tests using ELISA.
Based on the data obtained, as well as the specific characteristics of your body or the child's body, the specialist will choose the appropriate medicine and (very important) the dose.
Why can't you go to the pharmacy and ask for "something for 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 can leave you in a state of shock.That is why it is very important that the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment and, while curing one thing, we do not disable something else.
Important!Since enterobiasis is characterized by relatively high transmissibility (the ability of an infectious disease to be transmitted from a sick person or animal to a healthy susceptible person (animal), it is necessary to check the relatives of the infected person).Therefore, treatment may be necessary not only for people with helminthiasis, but also for all family members (adults, children, and also for all family members).
Worms live long enough in the 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 careful
— Is the drug prescribed to pregnant women?
— Helminthiasis is a very undesirable condition for pregnant women.It is good to try to check everything and solve problems at the pregnancy planning stage.
If an infection is found, of course, the process cannot be started.The problem needs to be solved.There are no special anthelmintic drugs for pregnant women.Therefore, the doctor, after carefully examining the condition of the woman, will follow the path of least resistance.He must choose an individual treatment regimen that will be effective, but at the same time gentle on the body in each specific case.
— Are worms transmitted from mother to child through milk?
- Nope.On the other hand, milk contains immunoglobulins that protect the child.But the mother is in contact with the baby, so through touch, bottles, clothes, etc., she can still transmit parasite larvae.
By the way, I think everyone understands that if a nursing mother is given 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 taken drugs are also excreted with milk.The baby's body is not ready for serious stress.
Dog worms are more dangerous to humans than cat worms
— How often should I be tested for worms?
— Expert opinion here varies.Many epidemiologists believe that it is necessary to provide a course of preventive medicine to the whole group (in kindergartens, schools, work institutions).But if at least one person rejects this action, there is no use for them.Even if the only one infected remains, as I have said, the possibility of spreading helminths is very high.
But this does not mean that you cannot check your body from time to time and help if suddenly something is wrong.Outbreaks of this disease are usually observed in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).During this period, it is good to contact a pediatrician or a therapist independently, undergo tests and check if everything is fine, and at the same time (if we are talking about children), if a problem is identified, it is a good idea to warn the group teacher at the kindergarten or the teacher at the school about it, so that they inform all the other parents and take action.
— Are helminths transmitted from animals to their owners?
- Yes, besides, cats, as a rule, transmit more of their species than dogs, but the latter helminths are more serious.For example, dogs can causetoxocariasisin humans.This is a helminthiasis from the nematode group, characterized by fever, bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatosplenomegaly, and eosinophilia.
I still don't understand why we don't make sure that there are more separate areas for pets to walk and why owners don't clean their pets outside, like in all civilized countries.After all, it is mainly thanks to dog feces that helminths spread throughout the area.Also, you must admit that "mines" can often be found near children's playgrounds.So it turned out that there was no dog in the house, but the child had a bunch of characteristic 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 often, especially before eating;
- have your animal examined by a veterinarian on time;
- if your dog has worms, consult a doctor;most likely, the whole family needs to take medicine;
- try to get your pet to the right place.
I would like to draw the attention of lovers of everything unusual to the fact that before buying an exotic animal, study in detail information about its physiology, make sure it is healthy, and find out about possible risks.After all, turtles, monkeys, iguanas, lemurs, etc. can bring parasites into your home that our bodies are not used to.All this sometimes leads to great difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.