Many of us, after our summer vacation, will think about the presence of worms (helminths).
Some people think that we should 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 know the famous Dr. House.In one series there was a case when a teacher got sick right in class.The children were scared and the doctors did not know what was happening to him, because he was in a very serious condition.Each doctor promoted his own theory.Some thought the patient had a tumor, others that she suffered 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 of the professor's suffering.It was a tapeworm that tormented the woman.Then 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 real professionals.Real cases of worm infection also resemble the 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 prevention against worms.
People, when they hear about various miraculous remedies to destroy these parasites, forget everything to get rid of them.
We have developed such a strong dislike towards these animals that even when we think about them we feel bad.We are ready to test ourselves with even the most "abnormal" medications, drink all kinds of dubious herbs and even do enemas with garlic.
It is very important not to overdo it with any medication and stop it in time.In the case of parasitic diseases, everyone should be careful when choosing anti-helminth medications because without taking the right medications we can even complicate the situation.Don't take anything for the treatment!It is very important to know what you are struggling with, what medication helps you, what dosage is optimal, and what contraindications you have.Therefore, it can become a true detective story in the fight against parasites.
On our planet there are more than 300,000 species of helminths that affect vertebrates.300 species of helminths are observed in humans (according to other sources, more than 12,000 species).Therefore, it simply will not work to treat it with anything.At least it's good that most of them are in the tropics.But only if we do not accept those “tourists” from tropical countries where we like to spend our holidays (Türkiye, 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 easily if you swim in a local freshwater body or drink water from local sources.Schistosomes enter the body mainly through the genitourinary organs.
How to avoid schistosome infection?
If you don't swim in fresh water and wash only with boiled water, you can avoid it in principle.
Filaria and elephantiasis (filariasis)
You can also "get acquainted" with filariae while on vacation on the islands of Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti, and also in Egypt.The main carriers of these parasites are mosquitoes (native mosquitoes).
Filariasis is dangerous because it causes 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 skin.
How to avoid filarial infection?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes get close to you, much less bite you.Use special curtains, repellents and mosquito nets.
When in the tropics, avoid running or walking barefoot on local trails or sandy beaches.The fact is that other types of parasites can be captured in this way.Various parasitic larvae often hide in “harmless” sand, which can very quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet.Therefore, sometimes after returning from a trip, you can find some kind of larva under the skin.Like in some horror movie!
How to avoid infection with these parasites?Walk only in shoes and lying on sand or grass without a mat is not recommended.
chance
The most dangerous food is raw fish, as well as raw fish.
Fluke is one of many parasites that can be found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
Having tasted such a piece of fish (that is, infected), after 1/2 to 1 month you may feel unpleasant sensations in the liver area, as well as a rash.
Trematodes are not the only ones that are transmitted this way.Many worms wait for the next owner to bite into a raw fish.Lovers of caviar, sushi and salted and dried fish are also at risk of infection with flukes.
How to avoid trematode infection?
First of all, exclude from the menu any exotic dishes made from raw fish.If you still can't refrain 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 should definitely cook it now, otherwise you run the risk.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think that there are no other worms yet?Make no mistake, we find them in other well-known products.
Europeans really like rare 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 be deposited in muscle tissue and cause death.
In addition to trichinella, such a European meal can "give" other parasites: pork and beef tapeworms.
How to avoid trichinosis and tapeworm infection?
Eat well-cooked meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
Intestinal worms and pinworms
Even when we eat vegetables and fruits, we must think about the fact that another threat of infection is looming: intestinal worms and pinworms.That's why our mothers taught us to wash fruits 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 intestinal worm and pinworm infection?
If you bought vegetables at the market, be sure to wash them well.First, leave the grass in the water for an hour so that the helminth eggs found on the leaves sink to the bottom of the container, and only then rinse each leaf separately.Like this!
Positive aspects of worms.
I think the idea of those “pets” wandering around is not very comforting.But let's be optimistic, because life is wonderful.
The microcosm that surrounds us is full of all kinds of surprises:
- bacteria,
- virus,
- parasites.
But we have whole kilograms of such biomass and there is nothing pathological in it.We were 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, the synthesis of certain vitamins and, thanks to them, digestion works in a different way.
I don't want to call animal helminths useful for humans, but there are some that are safe (intestinal parasites) and especially dangerous (parasites that live in other organs: lungs, liver, eyes and even in 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 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 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 are fighting 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 get tested in the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of worm infection
To do?Worms surround us everywhere and therefore we can easily become infected;It is not recommended to receive treatment without diagnosis, and diagnosis to identify helminths is not the easiest task.Worms are very good at disguising themselves as other diseases.
And the most interesting thing: the larger the helminth is (there are giants that reach up to 10 meters), the calmer it behaves.Therefore, analyzing only a few symptoms does not always result in 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.Below are some cases where testing is necessary:
- during a recent vacation in different parts of the world, you ate various dubious local delicacies, swam in hotel pools in which the water was not chlorinated, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked in the sand, grass, touched local dogs and cats;
- You have a high fever, hives, redness, itching, body rash, chills, swelling, and abdominal pain.
If you discover your situation, you should consult a parasitologist.
Personal hygiene rules to avoid becoming infected with worms.
meal
- To begin with, in exotic countries you can only drink bottled water.
- The fruits, even if they look very appetizing, must be peeled or boiled.In no case is it recommended to use them in their simple form.
- Other questionable products are
- raw meat;
- raw fish (any form, including sea fish).
- Freshly squeezed juices are also prohibited.Fruits for juice do not always go through a thorough washing process.
Avoid eating such products.
beach
Don't risk walking barefoot on sand, grass or trails in exotic countries.Use a lounger and slippers.
Swimming
Swimming is prohibited in freshwater bodies of India, Central Africa and South America.There are so many parasites there that even the movie “Alien” seems like a children's fairy tale in comparison.
mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or midges) 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 canopy.
lingerie
Drying clothes outdoors in exotic countries is strictly prohibited.
The problem is that flies from tropical countries love to lay eggs in it, and when you wear a swimsuit, larvae hatch that can cause dermatitis.
Where can you get tested for worms?
Take tests only at specialized government clinics.It is not recommended to perform such tests in questionable institutions.
One of the reasons not to contact these clinics is the fact that they can find anything you want even if you have nothing.
Yes, yes, to get you hooked, they can prescribe unnecessary treatments.They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics see everything, even where standard tests see nothing.Don't trust quacks and feel free to go to standard government clinics.
Now let's talk about the so-called universal diagnostics.In the case of helminth detection, this is not possible.
If they are in the bladder, you will have to give urine, if in the intestines, then 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 did you think?Positive results from such tests can only alert people so that they can be expelled quickly.Take only medications recommended by a parasitologist, because accuracy and precision are very important in this matter.
What should you remember about helminths?
Theoretically, you can get infected with helminths almost anywhere: in the city, on vacation, in tropical countries, in the forest.But, as statistics say, even in these cases not everyone is infected.Those who follow basic hygiene rules, as a general rule, reduce the risk of infection.
- The main thing is not to panic and not take any medications for prevention, because there are no universal remedies for worms.Even worm pills have their own classification according to the 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 your diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate pills.If you take care of your pets (dogs and cats) by prescribing anthelmintics regularly and none of the symptoms mentioned above bother you, then you have nothing to worry about.
- If you have doubts about this issue, then go to the doctor.Don't forget to tell us what you ate and where you were.
- As I told you before, tests should only be carried out in good specialized clinics.In bad clinics, you can spend a lot of money, but you will not receive treatment.
- Any medication taken for prevention can only cause harm.Do not use them “just as prevention”, otherwise you can destroy the intestinal flora and even “gain” toxic hepatitis.Echinococcosis is very dangerous and so doing something like this on your own can cause the cyst where the larva is located to explode.This can be fatal.
- If “some clinic” recommended “some dietary 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 effect.
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 treatment or that, after being caught, were not cleaned immediately before freezing.This increases the chances of getting infected.
Dogs can become infected with worms more easily than cats.
In fact, dogs have the habit of tasting the feces of their relatives.The most dangerous helminths that can be "taken" from dogs are echinococci, very dangerous parasites of the liver and lungs.For prevention, prescribe treatment to animals 4 times a year.Therefore, dogs can be more dangerous in this regard than cats.
Only children can become infected with worms.
Did you believe it?This may seem only because children are less careful, wash their hands less frequently and sometimes do not follow hygiene rules.That's why hygiene rules are important for everyone!
A person infected with worms can infect others.
Of course it's true.Being around a “patient” like that, you take 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.