How to get rid of worms?

16 December 2023

A man suffers from abdominal pain caused by worms

Worm infestations are observed in more than 1. 5 billion people. You can become infected with worms through food, raw water, or through contact with a sick person.

Helminthiases or helminthic infestations are a group of diseases caused by parasitic worms that live in the human body. According to the latest data, 1 in 100 people are hidden carriers, and about 80% of new cases of the disease occur in children and adolescents. At the same time, helminthiases are recorded not only in underdeveloped countries: often outbreaks of enterobiasis and ascariasis occur among wealthy segments of the population.

The wide distribution of helminthiases is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease in the early stages. Also, symptoms of infestation do not appear when the number of parasites in the body is small. The patient may not suspect the presence of parasites for a long time, but still infect others.

How dangerous are worms?

Today, there are 360 known species of worms that are dangerous to humans. Most of them parasitize in the human intestines or liver, but, depending on the type of parasite and its life cycle (egg, larva, adult), any organs and systems can be affected: lungs, heart, central nervous system, muscles, eyeballs, etc. Further.

The main damage caused by helminths is:

gradual development of anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells).Worms consume nutrients from the intestines, as a result the body does not receive enough micro- and macroelements, the patient loses weight and suffers from vitamin deficiency;
destruction of organs and tissues.Many worms penetrate the intestinal walls and damage surrounding tissues during migration. Microscopic wounds and ulcers form on organs, the gastrointestinal mucosa is constantly inflamed, and the risk of infection increases;
pathologies of the nervous system.Worms not only destroy the tissues surrounding them, but also release waste products - toxins that have a destructive effect on the central and peripheral nerves. The patient becomes nervous, irritable, and is bothered by headaches, insomnia, lethargy and apathy;
allergic reactions.Worm waste products (toxins) are also dangerous allergens. Therefore, with helminthic infestations, a skin rash often develops, itching appears, and nausea and vomiting are possible.

Helminthic infestations in children can cause developmental delays and lead to dangerous complications: from perforation (through ulcers) of the intestines to paralysis of the arms and legs.

Helminths are typical representatives

The most common types of parasites include:

pinworms– roundworms that penetrate the rectum and colon. Infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not followed;
roundworms– roundworms that attack the small intestine. During the development cycle, they can migrate along with the blood and lymph flow, entering the lungs and heart;
whipworm- a roundworm that lives in the large intestine. It penetrates into the mucous membrane with the help of a thin head, damaging the integrity of tissues and causing microulcers;
opisthorchis– flatworms that attack the liver. Parasites clog the ducts, causing stagnation of bile and disrupting the normal functioning of the organ;
curved heads- roundworms that parasitize the duodenum. Infection occurs through contact with larvae, which pierce the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body;
bull tapeworm- a tapeworm reaching a length of up to 10 meters. Occupies almost the entire intestine, leading to severe exhaustion;
intestinal eel– roundworms that penetrate the colon and cecum. To lay eggs, the worms move closer to the anus, causing severe itching in the anal area;
Echinococcus– tapeworms that affect not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also the liver and lungs. They cause echinococcosis, a disease in which cysts form in various organs of a person.

A parasitologist treats helminth infections.

How are worms transmitted?

According to WHO, more than 1. 5 billion people worldwide suffer from soil-transmitted helminthiases. There is a common misconception that you can only become infected with worms by consuming low-quality foods: untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or unprocessed meat and fish. But that's not true. Some parasites can penetrate through intact skin.

Helminth larvae penetrate the skin, enter the capillaries, and spread throughout the body along with the bloodstream. For humans, such punctures are not sensitive - it is quite difficult to suspect an infection. You can also become infected with parasites by inhaling microscopic eggs along with dust.

How can you tell if you have worms?

Depending on which organs are affected by helminthic infestation, patients may develop conjunctivitis, cough, headaches, swelling, and tremors of the extremities. In cases of severe vitamin deficiency, joint pain appears, hair falls out, and nails begin to peel. In children, helminthiasis can lead to delayed physical and intellectual development.

Common symptoms of worms in humans are:

malaise, weakness, fatigue;
allergies, such as skin rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
decreased or increased appetite;
nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
stomach ache;
diarrhea or constipation;
weight loss, even if the appetite is good;
problems sleeping, insomnia;
inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
fever for no reason;
pain in muscles and joints without exercise;
snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
presence of worms in feces;
itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).

How to find out if there are worms?

It is impossible to independently determine the presence of helminthic infestation. In the initial stages, the disease can be virtually asymptomatic. The patient does not experience pain; the immune system can suppress the pathogenic effects of toxins and allergens for some time. As a rule, exacerbation begins during the period of migration of larvae or with an increase in the number of worms. The stronger the infestation (i. e. , the more parasites), the more symptoms appear.

However, the asymptomatic course of the invasion is dangerous - the patient infects others, and his health gradually worsens. To detect the disease, it is necessary to periodically undergo a preventive examination in the hospital. As part of prevention, the therapist prescribes tests for worms at least once a year. If you live in an endemic region - once every six months.

Helminth analysis

To detect helminthic infestation, the following tests may be prescribed:

stool analysis.Feces are examined for the presence of helminth eggs. The analysis does not require preliminary preparation: the patient just needs to bring a stool sample;
analysis for enterobiasis.To determine enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms), it is enough to take a scraping (smear) from the anal area. Usually the test is prescribed in the morning before going to the toilet;
blood test for specific antibodies.The most revealing study that allows us to identify parasites such as roundworms, opisthorchis, acne, and lamblia.

How long is a stool test for worms valid?

A stool test for worms allows specialists to detect helminth eggs (if present). This study does not provide a 100% guarantee of detection, since the number of eggs depends on the life cycle of the worms and periodically they may not be detected in the feces, although the invasion remains. Therefore, in most cases, doctors recommend taking a stool test two or three times with a short interval between tests.

Blood test for parasites

Blood testing for specific antibodies is the most informative method for detecting helminthic infestation. After the analysis, the doctor can not only talk about the presence of worms, but also determine their type, and therefore select the most effective therapeutic complex.

Worms are recognized by the human immune system as a pathogen: the body begins to produce specific antibodies to fight the parasites. This is what analysis reveals.

Which test for worms is better?

If a parasitic infection is suspected, the doctor will prescribe several tests. A comprehensive study allows you to determine with 100% accuracy the presence of worms, determine the type and stage of the life cycle. It cannot be said that any analysis is better or worse: it is necessary to do several tests to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.

Where to go if you suspect worms?

If you suspect a helminthic infestation, you must make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. In the early stages, helminthiasis does not have specific symptoms, so it is quite difficult to suspect that you or a loved one have worms. As a rule, the patient complains of mild malaise: indigestion, headache, apathy.

If symptoms do not go away within a week or the condition returns periodically (for example, once every 3-4 months you feel unwell), you should consult your doctor. Attacks of poor health may be associated with the migration of parasites.

Which doctor treats worms in humans?

The treatment of parasitic infestations is carried out by an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist. But you shouldn’t immediately consult a specialist doctor: it’s better to consult a therapist. He will prescribe a series of tests and, if necessary, refer you to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.

How to treat helminthiasis?

If worms are detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs aimed at combating a specific type of worm. Modern drugs are equally effective against worms at each stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases, a single dose of tablets is sufficient, but sometimes a course of medications is required - treatment is developed by a therapist or parasitologist.

It is unacceptable to deviate from the developed treatment tactics - this can lead to the worm eggs remaining in the body, which will subsequently cause re-infestation.

Along with antiparasitic drugs, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins to eliminate vitamin deficiency, and antihistamines (for an allergic reaction) can be prescribed.

Helminthiasis: treatment with folk remedies

There are a sufficient number of methods for treating helminthiases with folk remedies. Patients are advised to consume a large number of foods with strong essential oils: for example, drink clove infusions or eat garlic. Such methods are not only ineffective, but also dangerous.

If the intestines are injured by worms, then consuming products with strong essential oils will cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane, increase pain and problems with bowel movements.

You should also not use anthelmintics without consulting your doctor. Some drugs lead to the death of worms, but do not provoke their evacuation, i. e. they remain in the body, which causes severe poisoning. Safe treatment of invasion is only possible under the supervision of an experienced doctor!

Prevention of helminthiasis

Treatment of helminthiasis should be carried out not only by the patient, but also by all members of his family. It is also necessary to boil bedding and underwear and carry out wet cleaning using disinfectants. In the future, to prevent helminthic infestation, it is recommended:

control the quality of the foods you eat: do not eat unwashed vegetables, fruits and herbs, unprocessed meat or raw fish;
observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not use other people’s towels and utensils;
undergo a comprehensive examination once a year, including tests for worm eggs.

Helminth infections are highly treatable and do not cause serious damage to the body if detected in a timely manner. Therefore, the main thing is to seek medical help in time. To prevent helminthiasis, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene and undergo regular examination by a doctor.