Symptoms of intestinal worms in an adult: signs of infection

Helminthiasis is the most common parasitic infection that affects people of any age. Doctors cannot give exact statistics on the number of cases, because many of them do not turn to a specialist when they find alarming symptoms, but prefer to treat themselves. This approach can lead to serious complications becauseeven broad-spectrum drugs may be ineffective against certain types of helminth infestations, for example, filariasis - infection with filamentous nematodes.

In total, more than 400 varieties of helminths are known that can parasitize the human body, and it is possible to determine exactly which of them caused the disease only after laboratory examination of feces. It is necessary to consult a doctor (general practitioner, proctologist or specialist in infectious diseases) if signs of helminthic invasion are found. The difficulty of timely diagnosis in almost half of the cases lies in the absence of symptoms typical of helminthiasis, so it is important to know what signs can be indirect manifestations of helminthiasis. It is recommended that adults undergo a preventive stool test as well as scraping for enterobiosis at least once a year.

How can you get infected?

Most patients believe that helminth infestation is a "disease of dirty hands". This statement is only half true. Some varieties of worms, for example, cestodes and other flatworms, can actually live in soil and sand, so in the absence of sufficient hygieneon the hands, a person can become infected with helminthiasis, but this route of transmission is typical mainly for children of the younger age group (from 1 to 6 years). In adults, the main source of infection is poor-quality food (dairy productsexpired, poorly processed meat, stale eggs) and tap water.

How does worm infection occur?

You can get worms in open rivers and dams. In rare cases, while swimming, a person can become infected with leeches - representatives of the annelid class that cause hirudinosis. The pathology is quite severe, since the main food for leeches is blood and its components, which leads to damage to blood vessels, rapidly progressing anemia and blood poisoning against the background of systemic intoxication of the body. To avoid this, you should not swim in places that are not equipped with "Swimming is allowed" signs. During the summer, soil/water samples are periodically taken in specially designated places, and the risk of infection in such places is many times highersmall.

Other sources of infection for humans may include:

• street and domestic animals (it is necessary to clean the pet's tray only with gloves, and the animal itself must be bathed regularly and treated with anthelmintic drugs 2 times a year);
• polluted air;
• blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, ticks);
• dust (including household dust that accumulates on soft toys and upholstered furniture).

Note!Some types of worms can enter the human body through the skin, so physical contact with a person diagnosed with helminthiasis should be limited as much as possible.

Helminths quickly spread throughout the body.

Acute infection in adults: symptoms and signs

It is possible to diagnose or suspect a helminthic invasion independently at home only during the acute and subacute course of the disease. Depending on the type of worms, their number and the state of the immune system, it can vary from 1 week to 4 months. The symptoms of the pathology during this period are most pronounced, so the chances of timely treatment and reducing the risks of complications in the acute form are maximum.

The main symptoms of acute helminthiasis are intestinal disorders. The patient develops functional intestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea or prolonged absence of stool (constipation is 4 times less frequent compared to diarrhea syndrome). The consistency of feces when infected with worms is thin, watery, sometimes with the addition of foam. The smell is fetid, sharp. The color can vary, but in most patients the stools become lighter and pale yellow. If there is a heavy worm infestation, the droppings may be brown or green. Sometimes they contain streaks of mucus and blood, which are released as a result of damage by worms to the blood vessels and capillaries located in the intestinal mucosa.

Among other signs from the gastrointestinal tract, the patient may have abdominal pain, unexplained, sudden vomiting, loss of appetite against the background of constant nausea. Many patients lose weight during this period: weight loss can be up to 10% within 2-4 months of the onset of the disease. The skin becomes pale and a polymorphic rash appears on it in the form of vesicles or nodules filled with exudate. The same rash can appear on the mucous membranes of the genitals, oral cavity and internal organs. Approximately 10-20% develop acne, boils and comedones during this period. A dotted red rash may appear on the skin of the abdomen and elbows.

Other signs of an acute infection in an adult include:

• inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (parasitic conjunctivitis);
• swelling of the face, limbs, neck (may be accompanied by dropsy of the internal organs);
• febrile condition;
• fever and chills against the background of a periodic increase in temperature up to 38 ° C and more.

important!Anal itching, which is considered the main symptom of helminthiasis, is mainly characteristic of enterobiosis - an infection with pinworms. It occurs as a result of irritation of the skin in the anorectal area with the secretion released by the female weevils at night. For other acute forms of helminthic invasion, such a clinical picture is not considered typical.

Chronic infestation: what symptoms to look out for?

The chronic form of helminthiasis is a very common pathology that develops in the absence of timely treatment in the acute period. Most clinical symptoms subside and lose their intensity during this period, but do not disappear completely. A person may periodically experience slight pain in the abdominal area, nausea and possible vomiting immediately after eating or 1-2 hours after eating. Skin rashes usually persist. If the reaction is severe, the patient may experienceangioedema is a fatal condition accompanied by laryngeal spasm and bronchospasm.

One of the main signs of chronic helminth infestation (as well as its complication) is anemia. It manifests as unnatural pallor, asthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome) and weakness. A person's working capacity decreases, he becomes lethargic and emotional lability can be observed.

If the hepatobiliary system is affected

The hepatobiliary system, which includes the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts, is the primary target for parasite attacks. The worms can feed on liver parenchymal cells, blood, bile components and bile acids. This form of pathology is manifested by severe pain localized under the right rib in the upper abdomen. The pain can be piercing, cutting or dagger-shaped, so many people confuse it with an attack of biliary colic (this situation is especially characteristic of patients with chronic diseases of the gallbladder and ducts).

Obstructive jaundice is another sign that requires immediate diagnosis. Yellowing of the skin and the sclera of the eyes may be a manifestation of dangerous liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or symptoms of organ tissue damage by parasites.

important!Hepatobiliary helminthiasis is one of the most severe types of pathology. In the absence of adequate and timely therapy, the patient may die from acute intoxication and necrosis of liver tissue.

Clinical indicators - signs of helminthic invasion

The doctor may suspect parasitic infections if the results of three blood tests confirm that the patient has anemia - a low level of hemoglobin. For an adult, the norm of hemoglobin is from 120 to 140 g/l. In some cases, for example during pregnancy, this figure can be slightly lower - up to 110 g / l. But the amount of hemoglobin should not fall below these values. Anemia in patients with helminthiasis develops quickly, since almost 90% of parasites feed on human blood and damage small blood vessels.

Another permanent clinical sign of long-term helminthiasis iseosinophilia - an absolute or relative increase in the level of eosinophils in the blood. This is a type of granulocytic leukocyte mass, which is the main indicator of the body's allergic readiness. When infected with parasites, it is always combined with skin itching and a polymorphic rash.

How to protect yourself from a worm infection?

The main rule that helps to protect the body from the penetration of worms is the strict observance of hygiene - above all, hand hygiene. For washing, it is better to use soap with antibacterial components or natural laundry soap with a fatty acid concentration of at least 72%. Laundry soap has a pronounced disinfecting and antimicrobial effect and provides excellent prevention of infectious diseases. If you have an intolerance to the smell of laundry soap, you can use a product with added fragrance additives.

Food must be prepared in accordance with hygiene and heat treatment standards. It is recommended that vegetables and fruits be rinsed with boiling water or washed with soap, and that meat be fried or boiled at a high temperature for at least 30-40 minutes. The minimum time for boiling eggs is 20 minutes. It is important to monitor the quality and freshness of the products and carefully check the expiration dates. If the product does not have the necessary information and label, it is better to refuse the purchase.

If there are pets in the house, it is necessary to conduct a course of deworming 2 times a year, even if the pet does not go outside, because worm eggs can be brought into the apartment on outside shoes and clothes. The safest preparation for deworming cats and dogs is chicken-flavored tablets.

What to take for helminthiasis?

Treatment of helminthiasis should be prescribed only by a doctor, since all anthelmintic drugs are highly toxic and negatively affect the state of the liver. The table shows commonly prescribed drugs with a wide spectrum of action, as well as their dosage, but they can be used only after laboratory diagnosis and consultation with a specialist.

Signs, treatment and symptoms of intestinal worms in an adult

There are about 250 types of worms that live in the body of an adult. They arise as a result of the penetration of parasitic worms into the human body, causing various diseases.

The presence of helminths in the intestines of people is masked under the guise of other diseases.

A person can be treated for an illness for years without realizing that there are worms in his body. And only after a course of treatment for helminths, she will feel much better.

Classification of helminths

Parasites are divided into 3 groups:

1. roundworms;
2. flatworms;
3. flukes.

Groups of helminths are also distinguished according to biological characteristics:

1. Biohelminths- tapeworms, pork and beef. During development into adulthood, they change their hosts, starting with insects and eventually migrating to humans.
2. Geohelminths— roundworms, worms and many other parasites immediately penetrate the body of an adult and begin their development from the initial stage.
3. Contact- sedges, dwarf tapeworm. Entry is by an infected person.

Where can helminths live?

Parasites primarily infect the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are species that can live in other organs:

• Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormslive in the large intestine.
• Termatodes- enter the liver and gall bladder.
• Pork tapewormlives in every organ of an adult.

Types of microorganisms living in the body of an adult

In the body of an adult, helminths such as roundworms, pinworms and tapeworms are mostly found. They actively absorb nutrients from the body of an adult, after which metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other types of diseases appear.

Helminths in humans:

• Roundworms:infection occurs after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
• Broadband:When eating raw fish.
• Pinworms:by contact with other people already infected with parasites and by using the same dishes and underwear.

Helminths develop for a certain period of time, which usually lasts from 15 to 60 days, after which the chronic stage of the disease occurs.

After moving to the chronic stage, a person's immunity decreases. Inflammation immediately begins against the background of weakening of the body.

Causes of the appearance of worms

Helminths in humans cause severe poisoning of the body. If the worms appear in an adult, the symptoms depend on the type of parasite, the habitat and the number of parasites that reproduce several times or even several thousand times each day.

How long does it take for the first signs to appear?

For example, for roundworms, two to three days are enough to notice a bad condition. Most often, infection with other types of parasites occurs in adults, the first signs appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis can be expected from 6 to 18 months.

The danger is that in some cases the disease with worms occurs without visible symptoms. Signs may appear after the parasite reaches enormous sizes.

1. Pinworms— The main signs of the presence of these parasites in the body of an adult are itching that intensifies at night. The frequency may last for one to two days and then not bother you for several weeks. And if the infection is severe, then itching can appear quite often.
2. Trichocephalosis— a sign of infection with this type of helminths is the development of anemia. Nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and severe weight loss may occur.
3. Roundworms- rash appears all over the body, but can also be in different parts of the body, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss. If this parasite is not noticed in time, the integrity of the intestine can be damaged. If ascaris get into the appendix, serious inflammation of this organ can develop.

If the number of helminths has increased several times, high fever may appear. But in rare cases, parasite infection is asymptomatic. But basically, the infection with helminths proceeds with signs that are not difficult to notice.

In the initial stage of the appearance of worms, it is necessary to start a proper comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not become chronic.

How parasites enter the human body. Infection

There are four ways to become infected with parasites.

1. Through land and water with egg worms. By communicating with animals and by consuming food and products on which a fly with helminth eggs has landed. Every time you touch the soil, you should wash your hands thoroughly. Vegetables and fruits collected from the site should be washed with water using a special scraper or sponge. You should not drink water from springs, as parasite eggs most often live in water. You should not swallow water when swimming in lakes, rivers or other bodies of water.
2. From a person sick with parasites, such as pinworms. Reproduction takes place at night. A female individual crawls out of the intestine and lays an egg or several on the folds of the anal passage, after which itching naturally appears, the person scratches, and helminth eggs remain on underwear, hands and surrounding objects. Without washing your hands properly, infection occurs by getting pinworm eggs into your mouth. This is the most common method of parasite infection.
3. When eating undercooked and raw meat and through raw fish.
4. Through mosquito bites, flies, etc.

When helminths enter the body, two stages of development can occur: acute and chronic.

The acute stage begins from the moment the helminths enter the human body and can last from two weeks to 2 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 absorption of nutrients occurs.

Where can helminths live?

Parasites primarily infect the intestines of adults. But not everyone knows that there are species that can live in other organs:

• Tapeworms, nematodes and whipwormslive in the large intestine.
• Termatodes- enter the liver and gall bladder.
• Pork tapewormlives in every organ of an adult.

Types of microorganisms living in the body of an adult

In the body of an adult, helminths such as roundworms, pinworms and tapeworms are mostly found. They actively absorb nutrients from the body of an adult, after which metabolic disorders, anemia, severe weight loss and other types of diseases appear.

Helminths in humans:

• Roundworms:infection occurs after eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.
• Broadband:When eating raw fish.
• Pinworms:by contact with other people already infected with parasites and by using the same dishes and underwear.

Helminths develop for a certain period of time, which usually lasts from 15 to 60 days, after which the chronic stage of the disease occurs.

After moving to the chronic stage, a person's immunity decreases. Inflammation immediately begins against the background of weakening of the body.

Causes of the appearance of worms

Helminths in humans cause severe poisoning of the body. If the worms appear in an adult, the symptoms depend on the type of parasite, the habitat and the number of parasites that reproduce several times or even several thousand times each day.

How long does it take for the first signs to appear?

For example, for roundworms, two to three days are enough to notice a bad condition. Most often, infection with other types of parasites occurs in adults, the first signs appear after 2-3 weeks, but the first symptoms of filariasis can be expected from 6 to 18 months.

The danger is that in some cases the disease with worms occurs without visible symptoms. Signs may appear after the parasite reaches enormous sizes.

1. Pinworms— The main signs of the presence of these parasites in the body of an adult are itching that intensifies at night. The frequency may last for one to two days and then not bother you for several weeks. And if the infection is severe, then itching can appear quite often.
2. Trichocephalosis— a sign of infection with this type of helminths is the development of anemia. Nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and severe weight loss may occur.
3. Roundworms- rash appears all over the body, but can also be in different parts of the body, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss. If this parasite is not noticed in time, the integrity of the intestine can be damaged. If ascaris get into the appendix, serious inflammation of this organ can develop.

The first symptoms of worms in humans appear as follows:

• a skin rash that causes constant itching;
• swelling, both of the whole body and in places;
• cough, choking;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• weakness, fatigue;
• joint pain, lower abdomen;
• serious illnesses;
• diarrhea, constipation, bloating, intestinal pain;
• damage to the central nervous system.

If the number of helminths has increased several times, high fever may appear. But in rare cases, parasite infection is asymptomatic. But basically, the infection with helminths proceeds with signs that are not difficult to notice.

In the initial stage of the appearance of worms, it is necessary to start a proper comprehensive treatment so that this disease does not become chronic.

Tests to detect parasites in adults

To diagnose the presence of worms in the body of an adult, a stool sample is taken for examination. For some types of helminths, additional tests are collected:

• scrapings from the anal canal are collected for the presence of egg worms in an adult;
• in women, scrapings are collected from the vagina, navel area and inguinal folds;
• conducting an immunological test;
• urine and blood tests are collected.

If there are single individuals of helminths in the body, then the symptoms appear unnoticed by an adult. If there are a large number of parasites in the body, then the symptoms manifest themselves in a rather complex way. Especially with certain types of worms, people suffer in the evening and at night.

To remove parasites from the human body, the doctor prescribes individual treatment.

Treatment of helminthic infestations

In the modern world, there are many preventive measures and treatment methods that have their own specialization for the treatment of different types of parasites.

There are about 70 species of helminths in our country. It is only after research studies that accurate treatment and drugs are prescribed, as drugs are highly toxic. In addition, appropriate treatment is prescribed for all types of parasites.

The course of treatment may be repeated, as there is a risk of re-infection.

ethnic female

Treatment can also be carried out using traditional methods. Time-tested methods are considered effective. These include eating pumpkin seeds and the tansy plant.

In the modern world, it is believed that pumpkin seeds are best consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. In one hour you need to eat 300 grams of seeds. It is recommended to grind and add honey. Do not eat anything for four hours and clean your stomach using a laxative and an enema.

Re-treatment after two weeks is recommended. It is also believed that carrots or carrot juice will help against parasites. A decoction of wormwood herb will help get rid of the problem, it should be used orally or as an enema.

Preventing worms. What is it for?

You must lead a healthy lifestyle, drink purified or boiled water, use personal hygiene items and own dishes, underwear and other personal items.

All pet vaccinations must be completed on time. Before consumption, it is necessary to wash vegetables and fruits well, and to warm meat and fish. For prevention, take antiparasitic drugs. You should not eat raw, dried or cured fish from freshwater bodies. To avoid infection with helminths, you just need to follow the rules of prevention.