Helminthiasis is widespread in the modern world. They are able to affect many organs and tissues, disrupting their work. In addition, the clinical picture of helminthiasis in humans can be very diverse. What are the symptoms of worms in humans?
According to statistics, about two million people are infected with helminths a year, but taking into account unregistered cases, this number could increase several times. Infection in children and adolescents is more common.
All helminths can be divided into extraintestinal (tissue) and intestinal. Tissue hosts are animals, humans serve as an intermediate host 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 larva migrates through the lungs, then the symptoms will mimic pneumonia, if through the intestines - bleeding, inflammatory reaction; migration through the pancreas or bile ducts threatens to block them.
How can you get infected?
What are the ways of infection?
- Through soil and water (geohelminthiasis) - soil contamination occurs when helminth eggs enter it with human or animal feces. If you eat poorly processed root vegetables or water from open tanks, helminth eggs will enter the body. Therefore, all vegetables, fruits, berries should be washed thoroughly with tap water and treated with boiling water. Drinking water from open reservoirs is prohibited. This route of infection is also possible when people come in contact with animals, especially pets. That's why children get infected more often when they play with them.
- Contact with an infected person (eg pinworms). During sleep, the squirrel is able to crawl out of the anus and lay eggs. The patient has itching. The eggs remain on the hands, under the nails and, if not removed in time from the skin, remain on all objects with which the infected person has come into contact.
- Biohelminthiasis - an infection when eating meat, lard, fish, which have not undergone sufficient heat treatment or have been consumed raw.
- Through insect bites.
Helminths are mainly a child's problem, as children in the process of exploring the world pull dirty hands and various objects into their mouths, trying them. This problem will be solved only at the age of three to six years, and before that children have a higher risk of infection than adults.
Common signs of infection
What signs will tell about the appearance of helminthiasis?
The symptoms of helminthiasis can be similar to diseases of certain organs: gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, nervous system, immune system. Helminthiasis can manifest as allergic reactions.
Gastrointestinal disorders
The localization of parasites in the intestine is manifested by symptoms of gastric and intestinal disorders: vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, bloating, pain in the umbilical region, in the right hypochondrium. Constipation may be associated with mechanical occlusion of the intestinal lumen by helminths. The severity of the symptoms depends on the number of helminths in the body.
Nervous system disorders and general manifestations
They are associated with the release of toxic substances from parasites. The intensity of the manifestation also depends on the number of helminths. The symptoms of nervous system dysfunction are as follows: dizziness, headache, nausea - symptoms that resemble migraine. Fever, muscle and joint pain are possible. Drowsiness, irritability, sleep disturbances, anemia appear.
Allergic manifestations
Allergic manifestations affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory system. Itching, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting may occur. Burning sensation in the throat, mouth and nose is possible. Nasal congestion and sneezing occur. How to distinguish allergies from the symptoms of helminth infection? The following anamnestic and laboratory features should be considered:
- the patient's relatives have no history of allergies;
- the patient had no history of allergic reactions;
- visiting a child in kindergarten;
- you have difficulty breathing every two weeks;
- eosinophils in the blood test over 8%;
- lack of effect of antiallergic therapy;
- in the immunoglobulin test, IgE was elevated, while the allergen test was negative.
If the patient has the listed symptoms, the allergic manifestations are associated with parasitic invasion.
Respiratory dysfunction
When parasites enter the lungs, pneumonia-like symptoms may occur: cough, fever, haemoptysis. Sore throat may also indicate helminthiasis. When worms migrate from the intestines to the lungs, a sore throat can occur. A sore throat is a sign of a foreign body. There is a dry cough that cannot be stopped. Cough of this type can occur not only due to the presence of parasites in the throat, but also if they migrate through the nasopharynx. The mucus taken for analysis will help identify worms in the throat.
Decreased immune protection
Due to the fact that helminths deprive the host of vitamins and minerals, and also have a toxic effect, there is a decrease in immune protection. This is manifested by frequent colds or exacerbations of chronic diseases in remission, sore throat.
Damage to the female reproductive system
Dysfunction of the reproductive system in women does not always indicate gynecological diseases. Helminths in the female body can also manifest as symptoms of reproductive system dysfunction. What are the symptoms of helminths in the female genitals? Defeat of the reproductive system by worms in women is manifested by secretions, unpleasant odor from the genitals.
In women, thrush can be a sign of helminthiasis. Thrush in women can develop due to reduced immunity and disruption of the microflora, which is possible with helminthiasis. Possible inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system in women. At the same time, hair may fall out and nails may exfoliate, causing drowsiness and fatigue. All of the above are the symptoms of helminth infestation in women.
How to determine the type of helminth by symptoms
How to determine which helminths have invaded the body? The symptoms are determined by the location of the parasite in the body and its appearance. When do the first symptoms appear? The first signs of helminth infestation may appear after two days or after six months, depending on the type of helminth.
Shingles, enterobiosis - you may suspect an invasion of these helminths if you are concerned about itching in the anal area, which becomes more common at night. The itching usually lasts for a few days, then disappears for a while and reappears.
Trichocephaly, schistosomiasis, diphyllobotriasis - the main symptom is anemia and vitamin deficiency. Such manifestations are associated with the toxic effects of worms on the intestine and the development of dysbiosis.
Roundworms - in the initial stage of infection with roundworms, weakness, cough, there may be blood in the sputum, fever, suffocation is possible (with a large number of parasites). In a blood test, the level of eosinophils increases and allergic reactions occur. 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 is manifested by nausea, vomiting and impaired appetite. In the next stage, helminths are localized in the muscles and cause muscle pain, swelling of the eyelids, fever and skin rashes. There is also visible recovery, but the worms are in the muscles. Parasites cause dense lesions in the muscles.
Fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis - it is possible to suspect an invasion of these parasites if there is yellowing of the skin, enlargement of the liver, spleen, inflammation of the pancreas, dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
Strongyloidiasis - manifests itself with symptoms indicating biliary dysfunction, dyspepsia and allergies.
Test for helminthiasis
When should you seek professional help? Positive answers to the following questions will help to diagnose the presence of helminths in the body with a high probability:
- itching in the anus;
- nausea, vomiting;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- allergic manifestations;
- skin rash;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- frequent headaches, dizziness;
- troubled sleep;
- there is bitterness in the mouth;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
- stomach pain;
- yellowing of the skin;
- the family has children attending kindergarten;
- muscle and joint pain caused by nothing;
- periodic increase in body temperature;
- there are animals in the house;
- eating undercooked meat, lard or fish;
- weight loss;
- the use of unwashed vegetables and fruits that have not previously been treated with boiling water.
The more positive responses, the greater the risk of helminths in the body. If there are seven positive answers, then there is a probability of the presence of helminths, if more than fifteen, then the probability of the presence of helminths in the body is very high.
Diagnosis
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
- Stools on worm eggs.
- Scraping from the anus.
- Scraping for enterobiosis.
- Complete blood count (increase in eosinophils).
- Vaginal scraping 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 worm infestation.
- Examination of the surgical material (in echinococcosis).
- Lymph node biopsy (cysticercosis).
- Muscle biopsy - trichinosis.
Treatment
For the treatment of helminthiasis there are tablets with a narrow and broad spectrum of action. The treatment of certain types of helminths must be carried out with certain drugs. The tablets are prescribed only by a doctor after all examinations, as worm pills have a toxic effect on the body. Therefore, the doctor will choose the necessary 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, the pills may not help, then surgical treatment is used.