Helminthiasis is widespread in the modern world. They can affect many organs and tissues and disrupt their function. In addition, the clinical picture of helminthiasis in humans can be very different. What are the symptoms of worms in humans?
According to statistics, about two million people are infected with helminths every year, but if we take into account the unregistered cases, this figure may increase several times. Infection is more common in children and adolescents.
All helminths can be divided into extraintestinal (tissue) and intestinal. Tissue owners are animals, and humans serve as intermediate hosts for them. In this case, the disease will manifest itself in different ways, depending on which organ the larva will migrate to. For example, if the larvae migrate through the lungs, 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 become infected?
What are the ways of infection?
- Through soil and water (geohelminthiasis) - soil contamination occurs when helminth eggs enter the feces of humans or animals. If you eat poorly processed root vegetables or water from open reservoirs, helminth eggs enter the body. Therefore, all vegetables, fruits and berries should be thoroughly washed with tap water and treated with hot water. It is forbidden to drink water from open reservoirs. This route of infection is also possible when people come in contact with animals, especially pets. Therefore, more often children are infected while playing with them.
- Contact an infected person (eg pinworms). During sleep, pinworms can lay eggs by crawling through the anus. The patient has itching. Eggs remain on the hands, under the nails, and if not removed from the skin in time, they remain on all objects in contact with the infected person.
- Biohelminthiases - an infection when eating meat, fat, fish that has not been adequately heat-treated or eaten raw.
- Through insect bites.
Helminths are mainly a child's problem, because in the process of exploring the world, children put their dirty hands and various objects in their mouths and taste them. This problem will only be solved by the age of three or six, and so far the risk of infection in children is higher than in adults.
General symptoms of infection
What are the symptoms of helminthiasis?
The symptoms of helminthiasis are similar to diseases of certain organs: the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, nervous system, immune system. Helminthiasis can manifest itself as allergic reactions.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
Localization of parasites in the intestine is manifested by signs of gastric and intestinal disorders: vomiting, appearance of diarrhea or constipation, nausea, bloating, pain in the umbilical region, right hypochondrium. Constipation can be associated with mechanical obstruction of the intestinal lumen by helminths. The severity of symptoms depends on the number of helminths in the body.
Nervous system disorders and general manifestations
They are associated with the release of toxins by parasites. The intensity of the manifestation also depends on the number of helminths. Symptoms of nervous system dysfunction include: dizziness, headache, nausea - migraine-like symptoms. Fever, muscle and joint pains are possible. Insomnia, irritability, sleep disorders, anemia appear.
Allergic manifestations
Allergic manifestations affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory system. Itching, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness appear, sometimes vomiting may occur. Burning sensation in the throat, mouth and nose is possible. Nasal congestion and sneezing appear. How can allergies be distinguished from the symptoms of helminth infections? 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;
- the child goes to kindergarten;
- has difficulty breathing every two weeks;
- eosinophils in the blood test more than 8%;
- lack of effect of antiallergic therapy;
- IgE is elevated in the study for immunoglobulins, while research 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 may also indicate helminthiasis. Sore throat can occur when worms move from the intestines to the lungs. Sore throat is a sign of the presence of a foreign body. There is a dry cough, it is impossible to stop. This type of cough can occur not only due to the presence of parasites in the throat, but also when migrating through the nasopharynx. The mucus taken for analysis will help identify worms in the throat.
Decreased immune protection
Helminths deprive the host of vitamins and minerals, as well as reduce the immune system due to their toxic effects. This is often manifested by exacerbation of chronic diseases in the cold or in remission, inflammation in the throat.
Damage to the female reproductive system
Disorders of the reproductive system in a woman do not always indicate gynecological diseases. Helminths in the female body can also manifest themselves as signs of dysfunction of the reproductive system. What are the signs of the presence of helminths in the female genitals? In women, the defeat of the reproductive system by worms is manifested by secretions and an unpleasant odor from the genitals.
In women, thrush can be a sign of helminthiasis. In women, the liver can develop due to a decrease in immunity and disruption of the microflora, which is possible with helminthiasis. Possible inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system in women. In addition, hair and nails may fall out, drowsiness and fatigue may occur. All of the above are signs of helminthic invasion in women.
How to determine the type of helminths according to symptoms
How can you tell which helminths are invading your 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 helminthic infestation may appear after two days or six months, depending on the type of helminth.
Pinworms, enterobiasis - if you are worried about itching in the anal area, which occurs more often at night, you may suspect the invasion of these helminths. The itching usually lasts for a few days, then passes for a while and reappears.
Trichocephalosis, schistosomiasis, diphyllobothriasis - the main symptoms are anemia and vitamin deficiency. Such manifestations are associated with the toxic effect of worms on the intestines and the development of dysbiosis.
Roundworms - in the early stages of infection with roundworms may be weakness, cough, blood in the sputum, fever, suffocation (with a large number of parasites). Blood tests show elevated levels of eosinophils and allergic reactions. At a later stage, the functions of the gastrointestinal tract are impaired: proteins are not digested, there is a strong weight loss.
Trichinosis - worms are localized in the muscles. In the initial stage, the disease manifests itself with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. In the next stage, helminths are localized in the muscles and cause muscle pain, swelling of the eyelids, fever, and skin rashes. In addition, there is a clear recovery, but the worms are in the muscles. Parasites cause intense lesions in the muscles.
Fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis - jaundice of the skin, enlargement of the liver, spleen, inflammation of the pancreas, dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, the invasion of these parasites can be suspected.
Strongyloidosis - manifests itself with symptoms of biliary tract dysfunction, dyspepsia and allergies.
Helminthiasis test
When should you seek help from a specialist? Positive answers to the following questions will most likely help to diagnose the presence of helminths in the body:
- itching in the anal region;
- 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 pain;
- jaundice of the skin;
- the family has children attending kindergarten;
- pain in muscles and joints, for no apparent reason;
- periodic increase in body temperature;
- there are animals in the house;
- eat enough heat-treated meat, fat or fish;
- Lose weight;
- use of unwashed vegetables and fruits that have not been previously treated with hot water.
The more positive responses, the greater the risk of helminths in the body. If there are seven positive answers, then there is a possibility of one helminth, and if there are more than fifteen, there is a very high probability of one helminth in the body.
Diagnostics
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
- Feces in wolf eggs.
- Do not scratch the anus.
- Scratching for enterobiasis.
- Complete blood count (increased levels of eosinophils).
- Vaginal discharge in women.
- Blood test for giardiasis.
- Search for antibodies by serological methods; When can antibodies be found in the body? Twenty-one or more days after a worm infection.
- Study of surgical material (for echinococcosis).
- Lymph node biopsy (cysticercosis).
- Muscle biopsy - trichinosis.
Treatment
There are tablets for the treatment of helminthiasis with a narrow and wide spectrum of action. Certain types of helminths should be treated with certain medications. Tablets are prescribed only by a doctor after all examinations, because anthelmintic pills are toxic to the body. Therefore, the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment regimen and duration, taking into account age and weight.
The following tablets are often used to treat helminthiasis:
- drugs containing mebendazole are suitable for the treatment of trichocephalus;
- Tablets containing levamisole - used for ascariasis, enterobiosis, trichostrongylosis, strongyloidiasis.
In advanced cases, pills may not help, then surgical treatment is used.