Many of us, after the summer holidays, will think about the presence of worms (helminths).
Some people think that we must get rid of them at any cost, while others, on the contrary, think that these parasites are even very beneficial for the body.Who will tell us the truth?
Surely many of you are familiar with the famous Dr. House.In one of the series there was a case when a teacher fell ill right in the classroom.The children were scared and the doctors didn't know what he had because he was in very serious condition.Each doctor promoted his own theory.Some thought the patient had a tumor, others that she was suffering from inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain.The main character of the television series, Dr. House himself, solves this problem by finding the culprit behind the teacher's suffering.It was a tapeworm that tormented the woman.Then the teacher was prescribed a course of treatment with pills and she recovered.
Although this series may seem like a fantasy, the writing of this series is done by real professionals.Real cases of worm infection are also similar to the myth, but, alas, the consequences cannot always be corrected as in the case of the series.How do we know if we are infected or not?Are we in danger or not?
On prevention against worms
People, when they hear about various miracle remedies to destroy these parasites, forget everything just to get rid of them.
We have developed such a strong disgust for these animals that even when we think about them we feel bad.We are ready to test ourselves even with the most “abnormal” drugs, drink all kinds of dubious herbs and even do enemas with garlic.
It is very important not to overdo it with medications and stop in time.In case of parasitic diseases, everyone should be careful when choosing drugs against helminths because without taking the right drugs we can even complicate the situation.Don't take anything for treatment!It is very important to know what you are struggling with, what medicine helps, what dose is optimal and what contraindications it has.So it can turn out to be a whole detective story in the fight against pests.
More than 300,000 species of helminths affecting vertebrates are known on our planet.In humans, 300 species of helminths have been observed (according to other sources more than 12,000 species).Then it simply will not work to be treated with anything.At least it's good that most of them are in the tropics.But only if we don't take these "tourists" from the tropical countries where we like to go on holiday (Türkiye, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
Each region of the world is characterized by certain worms.And each has a different form of entry into the body.
How many types of helminths exist on Earth?
Schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes.And you can get the infection very easily if you swim in a local freshwater body or drink water from local sources.Schistosomes enter the body primarily through the genitourinary organs.
How to avoid schistosome infection?
If you do not swim in fresh water and wash only with boiled water, then in principle you can avoid this.
Filaria and elephantiasis (filariasis)
You can also "get to know" heartworms while on vacation in Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti and even Egypt.The main vectors of these parasites are mosquitoes (native mosquitoes).
Heartworm disease is dangerous because it causes heartworm disease (elephantiasis), which affects the lymph nodes and is very difficult to treat.
Mosquitoes are also dangerous because they can carry leishmaniasis (caused by Leishmania) and malaria.Leishmaniasis affects the mucous membranes and skin.
How to avoid heartworm infection?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes get close, much less bite.Use curtains, repellents and special mosquito nets.
In the tropics, avoid running or walking barefoot on local trails or sandy beaches.The fact is that this way you can catch other types of parasites.Various parasite larvae often hide in the "harmless" sand, which can very quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet!So sometimes upon returning from trips you can find some kind of larva under the skin.Just like in a horror movie!
How to avoid infection with such parasites?Walk only with shoes and it is not recommended to lie on the sand or grass without a mat.
Stroke of luck
The most dangerous food is raw fish, as well as raw fish.
The fluke is one of many parasites that can be found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
After trying a piece of this fish (i.e. infected), after 1/2 - 1 month you can feel unpleasant sensations in the liver area, as well as a rash.
Flukes are not the only ones transmitted this way.Many worms wait for the next owner to bite into a raw fish.Fans of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish also run the risk of contracting the fluke.
How to avoid fluke infection?
First of all, exclude any exotic dishes based on raw fish from the menu.If you still can't stop yourself from eating these dishes, at least eat them only in good, certified restaurants.
If you buy raw fish at the market or from strangers you absolutely must cook it already, otherwise you risk it.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think, that there are still no more worms?Make no mistake, we've found them in other well-known products.
Europeans are very fond of rare steaks.And here there is another danger - trichinosis.
Other helminths can't even compare to this, because Trichinella is one of the most dangerous!They can lodge in muscle tissue and lead to death.
In addition to trichinella, such a European meal can "give" other parasites: porcine and bovine tapeworms.
How to avoid trichinosis and tapeworm infection?
Eat well-cooked meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
Roundworms and pinworms
Even when we eat fruits and vegetables, we must think about the fact that another threat of infection looms: roundworms and pinworms.This is why our mothers taught us to wash fruit and vegetables before consuming them.Most often, the threat comes from herbs (vegetables), which are brought to us from the southern regions.
How to avoid roundworm and pinworm infection?
If you bought vegetables from the market, make sure to wash them well.First, leave the grass in water for an hour so that the helminth eggs found on the leaves sink to the bottom of the vessel, and only then rinse each leaf separately.As!
Positive aspects of worms
I think the thought of these “pets” around isn't very warming.But let's be optimistic, because life is wonderful.
The microcosm that surrounds us is full of surprises of all kinds:
- bacteria,
- virus,
- parasites.
But we contain whole kilograms of such biomass and there is nothing pathological in this.We are not created to live in an absolutely sterile environment, we will simply die there.
Some of these organisms have a positive effect, because they are involved in improving immunity, in the synthesis of certain vitamins, and thanks to them, digestion works differently.
I don't want to define helminths as useful animals for humans, but there are some that are safe (intestinal parasites) and particularly dangerous (parasites that live in other organs: lungs, liver, eyes and even the brain!).In the latter case everyone thinks about how to recover quickly, because the problem is very serious.
It happens that helminths leave the owner's body, even when he does not know about their existence in his body.
For example, you can get rid of worms using a head of garlic, or thanks to hormonal changes (in the case of a pregnant woman), anything is possible.If you decide to rebel against these parasites, not knowing what you're fighting could make them angry.Therefore, they can complicate the situation by entering the bile ducts and causing a liver abscess.So, keep in mind that regular prevention is not always helpful!It is better to get tested in the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of worm infection
What to do?Worms surround us everywhere and therefore we can easily become infected;it is not recommended to treat them without a diagnosis, and diagnostics to identify helminths is not the easiest task.Worms are very good at masquerading as other diseases.
And the most interesting thing: the larger the helminth (there are giants reaching 10 meters), the calmer it behaves.Therefore, analyzing only some symptoms does not always lead to identifying the correct diagnosis.This cannot be done without an examination by a parasitologist.
Of course, no one will help you better than a doctor.Here are some cases in which you need to get tested:
- during a recent vacation in different parts of the world, you ate various dubious local delicacies, swam in hotel pools where the water was not chlorinated, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked on the sand, grass, touched local dogs and cats;
- you have high fever, hives, redness, itching, rash on the body, chills, swelling, and abdominal pain.
If you find out about your situation, then you need to consult a parasitologist.
Personal hygiene rules to avoid contracting worms
Food
- Let's start with the fact that in exotic countries you can only drink bottled water.
- The fruits, although they look very appetizing, must be peeled or boiled.It is in no case advisable to use them in their simple form.
- Other questionable products are
- raw meat;
- raw fish (any form, even sea fish).
- Freshly squeezed juices are also prohibited.Fruit for juice does not always undergo a thorough washing process.
Avoid eating such products.
Beach
Don't risk walking barefoot on the sand, grass or paths of exotic countries.Please use a cot and slippers.
I swim
Swimming in freshwater bodies of India, Central Africa and South America is prohibited.There are so many parasites that even the movie “Alien” seems like a children's story in comparison.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or mosquitoes) are very dangerous parasites because they are serious carriers of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
It is necessary to use repellent, wear long sleeves and sleep under a shelter.
Underwear
In exotic countries, drying clothes in the air is strictly prohibited.
The problem is that flies in tropical countries love to lay their eggs in them and, when you wear a bathing suit, the larvae hatch and can cause dermatitis.
Where can you get tested for worms?
Take tests only in specialized government clinics.It is not recommended to carry out such tests in questionable institutions.
One of the reasons not to contact such clinics is the fact that they can find everything you want even if you have nothing.
Yes, yes, to lure you, they may prescribe unnecessary courses of treatment.They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics sees everything, even where standard tests see nothing.Don't trust quacks and feel free to go to standard government clinics.
Let's now talk about the so-called universal diagnostics.In a matter like helminth detection, this is not possible.
If they are in the bladder, you will have to administer urine, if in the intestine, feces, if in the muscle mass, you will have to do an x-ray of the muscles, if in the liver, then an ultrasound.
What do you think?Positive results from such tests can only alert people so they can be deported quickly.Take only drugs recommended by a parasitologist, because accuracy and precision are very important in this matter.
What should you remember about helminths?
In theory, you can get infected with helminths almost anywhere: in the city, on vacation, in tropical countries, in the forest.But as the statistics say, even in these cases, not everyone is infected.Those who follow basic hygiene rules usually reduce the risk of infection.
- The main thing is not to panic and not take drugs for prevention, because there are no universal remedies against worms.Tablets for worms also have their own classification according to different forms of helminths.It turns out that some tablets help with some parasites, while others do not.The doctor is the best person to determine the diagnosis and prescribe the right pills.If you take care of your pets (dogs and cats) by regularly prescribing anthelmintic drugs, and if none of the above-mentioned symptoms bother you, then you have nothing to worry about.
- If you have any doubts about this problem, go to the doctor.Don't forget to tell us what you ate and where you went.
- As I told you before, tests should only be taken in good specialized clinics.In substandard clinics you can spend a lot of money, but you will not receive treatment.
- Any medication taken for prevention can only cause harm.Don't use them "just for prevention", otherwise you could destroy the intestinal flora and even "get" toxic hepatitis.Echinococcosis is very dangerous and that is why doing something like this yourself can cause the cyst in which the larva is located to explode.This can be fatal.
- If in “some clinic” you were recommended “some food supplements for worms”, this does not mean that you will get better.Many of these products contain toxins that can cause allergies and you may not get any effects.
The most common myths about helminths
Sea fish does not contain parasites
Who told you this?Most worms contain fish that have not undergone the necessary treatments or which, after being caught, have not been immediately cleaned before freezing.This is how the chances of contracting the infection increase.
Dogs can be infected with worms more easily than cats.
Indeed, dogs have a habit of tasting the feces of their relatives.The most dangerous helminths that can be "caught" by dogs are echinococci, very dangerous parasites of the liver and lungs.For prevention, prescribe a course of treatment to animals 4 times a year.So dogs can be more dangerous in this regard than cats.
Only children can be infected with worms
Did you believe it?This may seem to be due only to the fact that children are less attentive, wash their hands less often and sometimes do not follow hygiene rules.So hygiene rules are important for everyone!
A person infected with worms can infect others
Of course it's true.By being around such a “patient” you run a risk, but you may not even know it.So after shaking hands, wash your hands just in case.It is especially easy to become infected with pinworms (enterobiasis), because they are the most common helminths.Also, very often dirty children can infect their parents, so teach your children to follow hygiene rules.