Many of us, after a summer vacation, will think about the presence of worms (helminths).
Someone thinks that it is necessary to get rid of them at all costs, others, on the contrary, think that these parasites are even very useful 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 at the lesson. The children were scared, and the doctors did not know what was happening to him, because he was very serious. Every doctor promoted his theory. Some thought that the patient had a tumor, others that she suffered from an inflammation of the vessels of the brain. The protagonist of the television series, Dr. House himself, solves this problem by finding the culprit of the professor's suffering. He was a tapeworm that tormented the woman. Later, the teacher was prescribed a treatment with pills and she recovered.
Although this series may seem like a fantasy, the script of this series is done by true professionals. Real cases of worm infection are also similar to a myth, but unfortunately 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?
About worm prevention
People, when they hear about various miracle remedies for the destruction of these parasites, forget about everything just to get rid of them.
We have developed such a strong aversion towards these animals that even when we think about them, it becomes mean. We are ready to try ourselves with even the most "abnormal" drugs, drink all sorts of dubious herbs, and even do garlic enemas.
It is very important not to overdo it with any medication and to stop it in time. In the case of parasitic diseases, care must be taken in the choice of medicines for helminths, since without taking the right medicines, we can even complicate the situation. Do not take anything for treatment! It is very important to know what you are struggling with, what drug helps, what dosage is optimal and what contraindications you have. So it can be a whole police story in the fight against parasites.
On our planet, more than 300, 000 species of helminths that affect vertebrates are known. In humans, there are 300 species of helminths (according to other sources, more than 12, 000 species). So to be treated with anything just won't work. Although it is good that most are in the tropics. That's only if we don't take those "tourists" from tropical countries where we like to relax (Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
Each region of the world is characterized by certain worms. And each one has a different way of entering the body.
How many types of helminths are there on Earth?
schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes. And you can get infected with them very simply if you swim in a local freshwater reservoir or drink water from local sources. Mainly schistosomes enter the body through the genitourinary organs.
How to avoid schistosome infection?
If you do not swim in fresh water and wash only with boiled water, in principle, you can avoid this.
Filaria and elephantiasis (filariasis)
You can also "get acquainted" with the filaria during your vacation on the islands of Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti, and also in Egypt. The main carriers of these parasites are mosquitoes (local mosquitoes).
Filariae are dangerous because they cause filariasis (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 the skin.
How to avoid filarial infection?
The main rule is to not let mosquitoes near you, let alone bite you. Use curtains, repellents and special mosquito nets.
When in the tropics, avoid running or walking barefoot on local trails or sandy shorelines. The fact is that in this way other types of parasites can be captured. Various parasitic larvae often hide in the "harmless" sand, which can very quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet. That is why sometimes after returning from trips you can find some kind of larva under the skin. 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.
Chance
The most dangerous food is raw and also raw fish.
The fluke is one of many parasites that can be found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
After tasting a piece of fish (that is, infected), after 1/2 - 1 month, you can feel unpleasant sensations in the liver area, as well as a rash.
Not only chance is transmitted in this way. Many worms are waiting for the next host to bite into a raw fish. Fans of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish are also at risk of getting a fluke.
How to avoid fluke infection?
First of all, exclude from the menu all kinds of exotic dishes based on raw fish. If you still cannot refrain from such dishes, at least eat them only in good certified restaurants.
If you buy raw fish in the market or from strangers, then you should definitely cook it already, otherwise you risk it.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think, that there are no other worms? Make no mistake, we find them in other well-known products.
Europeans here are very fond of bloody steaks. And here lies another danger: trichinosis.
Other helminths cannot even be compared with this one, because Trichinella is one of the most dangerous! They can settle in muscle tissue and lead to death.
In addition to trichinella, such a European dinner can "give" other parasites - pork and bovine tapeworm.
How to avoid trichinosis and tapeworm infection?
Eat well-prepared meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
pinworms and pinworms
Even when we eat vegetables and fruits, we have to think about the fact that another threat of infection is coming: roundworms and pinworms. That is why our mothers taught us to wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them. Most often, the threat comes from spicy 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, be sure to rinse them well. First, leave the grass in the water for an hour so that the helminth eggs that are on the leaves sink to the bottom of the container, and only then wash each leaf individually. I like this!
Positive aspects of worms.
I think the idea that such "pets" roam is not very warm. But let's be optimistic, because life is beautiful.
The microcosm that surrounds us is full of all kinds of surprises:
- bacteria,
- virus,
- parasites
And we contain whole kilograms of such biomass and there is nothing pathological in this. We are not designed to live in an absolutely sterile environment, where we will simply die.
Some of these organisms have a positive effect, since they are involved in improving immunity, the synthesis of certain vitamins, and digestion works differently thanks to them.
I do not want to call animal helminths useful to humans, but there are safe ones (intestinal parasites) and especially dangerous ones (parasites that live in other organs: lungs, liver, eyes, and even in the brain! ). In the latter case, everyone thinks how to recover quickly, because the problem is very serious.
It happens that helminths leave the body of the owner, even when he does not know about their existence in his body.
For example, you can get rid of worms with a head of garlic, or through hormonal changes (in the case of a pregnant woman), everything is possible. If you decide to rebel against these parasites without knowing what you are fighting against, you can make them angry. Therefore, they can complicate the situation by penetrating the bile ducts and causing a liver abscess. Therefore, keep in mind that regular prevention is not always helpful. It is better to pass control in the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of a worm infestation
How to proceed? Worms surround us everywhere, and therefore we can easily become infected, treating them without diagnosis is not recommended, and diagnosing helminths is not an easy task. Worms are very good at disguising themselves as other diseases.
And the most interesting thing: the larger the helminth (there are giants that reach up to 10 meters), the calmer it behaves. Therefore, it is not always possible to analyze only a few symptoms to identify the correct diagnosis. Examination by a parasitologist cannot be dispensed with.
Of course, no one can help you better than a doctor. Here are some instances where you should make sure you get tested:
- during a recent vacation in different parts of the world, ate various dubious local delicacies, swam in hotel pools where the water was not chlorinated, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked on sand, grass, touched dogs and cats local;
- You have a high fever, hives, redness, itching, a body rash, chills, swelling, and abdominal pain.
If you discover your situation, then you need to see a parasitologist.
Rules of personal hygiene so as not to get infected with worms.
Food
- Let's start with the fact that in exotic countries you can only drink bottled water.
- The fruits, although they seem very appetizing, must be peeled or boiled. In a simple form, its use is by no means recommended.
- Other questionable products are
- raw meat;
- raw fish (any form, including sea).
- Freshly squeezed juices are also prohibited. Fruit juices do not always go through a complete washing process.
Refuse to use such products.
Beach
Do not risk walking barefoot on sand, grass, trails in exotic countries. Please use a lounger and slippers.
Bathrooms
Swimming in the freshwater reservoirs of India, Central Africa, South America is prohibited. There are so many parasites that even the movie "Alien" seems like a children's fairy tale compared to them.
mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or midges) are very dangerous parasites because they are serious carriers of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
Must use repellants, wear long-sleeved clothing, sleep under canopy.
linen
It is strictly forbidden to air dry clothes in exotic countries.
The problem is that flies from tropical countries like to lay eggs on you, and when you put on your swimsuit, larvae come out that can cause dermatitis.
Where to test for worms?
Carry out tests only in specialized state clinics. Doubtful institutions are not recommended to do such tests.
One of the reasons not to contact these clinics is the fact that they can find anything you want, even if you don't have anything.
Yes, yes, to hook you, they can prescribe you unnecessary courses of treatment there. They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics see everything, even where standard scans see nothing. Do not believe the charlatans and feel free to go to the standard public clinics.
Now let's talk about the so-called universal diagnostics. In a case like the detection of helminths, this is not possible.
If they have to urinate in the bladder, if in the intestines, then in the feces, if in the muscle mass, then they will have to do an X-ray of the muscles, if in the liver, an ultrasound.
That you thought? Positive results of such tests can only alert you to expel them as soon as possible. Take only the drugs advised by the parasitologist, because precision and accuracy are very important in this matter.
What should be remembered about helminths?
Theoretically, helminths can be infected almost everywhere: in the city, on vacation, in tropical countries, in the forest. But as the statistics say, even in such cases, not everyone is infected with them. Those who follow the basic rules of hygiene, as a rule, reduce the risks of infection themselves.
- The main thing is not to panic and not to take any drugs for prevention, because there are no universal remedies for worms. Even worm tablets have their own classification according to the different forms of helminths. It turns out that some pills help with some parasites, while others don't. The doctor will better determine your diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate pills. If you take care of your pets (cats and dogs) by regularly prescribing anthelmintic medication, and if none of the above symptoms bother you, then you have nothing to worry about.
- If you have any doubts about this issue, go to the doctor. Don't forget to tell us what you ate and where you were.
- As I told you before, you only need to get tested in good specialized clinics. In bad clinics, you can spend a lot of money and you will not be able to get treatment.
- Any medicine taken for prevention can only do harm. Do not use them "only for prevention", otherwise you can destroy the intestinal flora and even "win" toxic hepatitis. Echinococcosis is very dangerous and that is why the initiative of such a thing can burst the cyst where the larva is located. This can be fatal.
- If "some dietary supplements for worms" were recommended to you at "some clinic", this does not mean that everyone will get better. Many of these products contain toxins that can cause allergies and you may not get the effect.
The most common myths about helminths
Sea fish does not contain parasites.
Who told you this? Most of the worms contain fish that has not undergone the necessary processing or that, after capture, was not cleaned immediately before freezing. This is how you increase your chances of getting infected.
Dogs can get worms more easily than cats
In fact, dogs have a habit of tasting the feces of their relatives. The most dangerous helminths that can be "taken" from dogs are echinococcus, 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 than cats at this.
Only children can get worms.
did you believeThis may seem only because children are less accurate, 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. Being around such a "patient" puts you at risk, but you may not even know it. So after you shake hands, wash your hands just in case. You can be particularly easily infected with pinworms (enterobiasis), because they are the most common helminth. Also, very often children who are dirty can infect their parents, so teach your children to follow the rules of hygiene.