After a summer vacation, many of us 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 know the famous Dr. House. In one of the series there was a case when a teacher fell ill right in class. The children were scared and the doctors didn't know what was happening to her because she was in a very serious condition. Every doctor promoted his theory. Some thought that the patient had a tumor, others that she was suffering from inflammation of the cerebral vessels. The protagonist of the television series, Dr. House himself solves this problem by finding the culprit for the teacher's suffering. It was a tapeworm that was tormenting the woman. Then the teacher was prescribed treatment with pills and she recovered.
Although this series may seem like a fantasy, the script of this series was created by true professionals. Real cases of worm infections also resemble 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
When people hear about various miracle cures to destroy these parasites, they forget everything just to get rid of them.
We have developed such a strong dislike for these animals that even thinking about them makes it ugly. We're willing to test ourselves with the most "abnormal" drugs, drink all sorts of dubious herbs, and even do garlic enemas.
It is very important not to overdo it with medication and stop in time. In the case of parasitic diseases, one must be careful when choosing drugs against helminths, because without taking the right drugs, we can complicate the situation even more. Do not take anything for treatment! It is very important to know what you are struggling with, which drug will help, what dose is optimal and what are its contraindications. In this way, a whole detective story can develop in the fight against parasites.
On our planet it is known that more than 300 thousand species of helminths affect vertebrates. In humans, there are 300 species of helminths (according to other sources, more than 12 thousand species). So getting treated with anything just isn't going to work. Although it's good that most of them are in the tropics. This can only be done if we do not take such "tourists" from tropical countries where we like to relax (Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
Each region of the world is characterized by specific worms. And everyone has a different form of entry into the body.
How many species of helminths are there on earth?
schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes. And you can easily catch them by swimming in a local freshwater reservoir or drinking water from local springs. Schistosomes enter the body mainly through the urogenital organs.
How do I avoid an infection with schistosomes?
If you do not swim in fresh water and only wash with boiled water, then you can basically avoid it.
Filaria and Elephantiasis (filariasis)
You can also "get acquainted" with 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).
Filariasis 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 be carriers of leishmaniasis (caused by leishmaniasis) and malaria. Leishmaniasis affects the mucous membranes and skin.
How to avoid infection with filaria?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes approach, let alone bite. Use curtains, repellents and special mosquito nets.
If you are in the tropics, avoid walking or walking barefoot on local trails or sandy beaches. The fact is that this way you can catch other types of parasites. In the "harmless" sand, various parasitic larvae very often hide, which can very quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet! So sometimes after returning from trips you can find a kind of larva under the skin. Like in a horror movie!
How to avoid infection with such parasites? Only walk in shoes and lying on sand or grass without a mat is not recommended.
fluke
The most dangerous food is raw fish, and also uncooked.
The fluke is one of the many parasites found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
After tasting a piece of such fish (that is, infected), after 1/2 - 1 month you may experience an uncomfortable feeling in the liver area, as well as a rash on the skin.
Not only the fluke is transmitted in this way. Many worms are waiting for the next host to bite a raw fish. Lovers of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish also run the risk of contracting a leech.
How to avoid a fluke infection?
First of all, exclude from the menu all kinds of exotic dishes from raw fish. If you still cannot do without eating such dishes, then 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 beforehand, otherwise you risk it.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think that there are no other worms? Make no mistake, we found them in other popular products.
Here Europeans love steaks with blood. And here lies another danger - trichinosis.
Other helminths can't even compete with it, because Trichinella is one of the most dangerous! They can lodge in muscle tissue and cause death.
In addition to trichinella, such a European dinner can "give" other parasites: pork and beef tapeworm.
How to avoid infection with trichinosis and tapeworm?
Eat well-prepared meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
roundworms and pinworms
Even when we eat vegetables and fruit, we must remember that there is another risk of infection: roundworms and pinworms. That's why our mothers taught us to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Most often, the threat comes from spicy herbs (vegetables) brought to us from the southern regions.
How to avoid infection with roundworms and pinworms?
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 worm eggs located on the leaves sink to the bottom of the jar, and only then wash each leaf individually. So!
Positive aspects of worms
I think the thought of such "pets" walking around is not very warm. But let's be optimistic, because life is beautiful.
The microcosm around us is full of surprises:
- Bacteria,
- viruses
- parasites.
And we contain whole kilograms of such biomass and there is nothing pathological about that. We are not designed to live in an absolutely sterile environment where we will simply die.
Some of these organisms have a beneficial effect, since they are involved in improving immunity and the synthesis of certain vitamins, and thanks to them digestion works differently.
I do not want to call helminths useful animals for humans, but there are those that are harmless (intestinal parasites) and especially 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 if he does not know about their existence in his body.
For example, you can get rid of worms with a head of garlic, or with a hormonal change (in a pregnant woman), everything is possible. If you decide to rampage against these parasites without knowing what you're fighting, you can anger them. So, they can complicate the situation by penetrating the bile ducts and provoking a liver abscess. So remember, regular prevention isn't always helpful! It is better to pass the control in the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of a worm infestation
What's next? Worms surround us everywhere and therefore we can easily become infected, it is not recommended to have them treated without diagnosis, and diagnosing helminths is not an easy task. Worms are very good at disguising themselves as other diseases.
And most interestingly, the larger the helminth (there are giants that grow up to 10 meters), the calmer it behaves. So it turns out that it is not always possible to analyze just a few symptoms in order to make the correct diagnosis. You cannot do without an examination by a parasitologist.
Of course, nobody can help you better than a doctor. Here are some cases where you definitely need to be tested:
- During a recent vacation in different parts of the world, you ate various local dubious delicacies, swam in hotel pools where the water was not chlorinated, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked on the sand and grass, local dogsand touched cats.
- You have a high fever, hives, redness, itching, a rash, chills, bloating, and abdominal pain.
When you find out your situation, you need to see a parasitologist.
Rules of personal hygiene in order not to get infected with worms
Food
- Let's start with the fact that in exotic countries you can only drink bottled water.
- Fruits, even if they look very appetizing, need to be peeled or boiled. In simple form, it is by no means recommended to use them.
- Other questionable products are
- uncooked meat;
- raw fish (any form, even sea).
- Freshly squeezed juices are also prohibited. Juiced fruit does not always go through a thorough washing process.
Refuse to use such products.
Beach
Don't walk barefoot on sand, grass or trails in exotic countries. Use a sun lounger and slippers.
bathe
It is forbidden to swim in the freshwater reservoirs of India, Central Africa and South America. There are so many parasites that even the movie Alien seems like a children's fairy tale compared to it.
mosquitoes
Midges (or mosquitoes) are very dangerous parasites, as they are serious vectors of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
You must use repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under the canopy.
linen
In exotic countries, it is strictly forbidden to air dry clothes.
The problem is that flies from tropical countries are very fond of laying eggs on it, and if you put on swimming trunks, larvae hatch that can cause dermatitis.
Where are tests performed to detect worms?
Conduct tests only in specialized state clinics. Doubting institutions are not recommended to carry out such tests.
One of the reasons not to contact such clinics is the fact that they can find anything you want even if you don't have anything.
Yes, yes, in order to get you too addicted, they can prescribe unnecessary treatments there. They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics sees everything, even where standard analyzes see nothing. Do not believe the charlatans and feel free to go to the usual 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 need to deliver urine to the bladder, if to the intestines - then feces, if to the muscle mass - then they need to do an x-ray of the muscles, if to the liver - ultrasound.
What did you think? Positive results of such analyzes can only point you to rule them out as soon as possible. Take only the drugs recommended by the parasitologist, since accuracy and accuracy are very important in this matter.
What should be considered with helminths?
Theoretically, helminths can be infected almost anywhere - in the city, on vacation, in tropical countries, in the forest. But as statistics say, even in such cases, not everyone is infected with them. Anyone who follows the basic rules of hygiene usually reduces the risk of infection for themselves.
- The main thing is not to panic and not to drink drugs for prevention, since there are no universal remedies for worms. Even tablets against worms have their own classification according to different forms of helminths. It turns out that some pills help with some parasites while others don't. The doctor will best make your diagnosis and prescribe the right pills. If you take care of your pets (cats and dogs) by regularly prescribing anthelmintics and none of the above symptoms bother you, there is no need to worry.
- If you have any doubts about this, go to the doctor. Don't forget to let us know what you've eaten and where you've been.
- 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 not be treated.
- All drugs taken for prevention can only harm. Do not use them "just for prevention", otherwise you can destroy the intestinal microflora and even "earn" toxic hepatitis. Echinococcosis is very dangerous and therefore the initiative of such a thing can burst the cyst in which the larva is located. This can be deadly.
- Just because "some clinic" recommended "a few anti-worm supplements" to you doesn't mean you're all better off. Many of these products contain toxins that can cause allergies, and you may not get the effects.
The most common myths about helminths
Sea fish does not contain parasites
Who has told you that? Most worms contain fish that have not undergone the necessary processing or that have not been cleaned immediately prior to freezing after being caught. This increases your risk of infection.
Dogs are more easily infested with worms than cats
In fact, dogs have such a 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 for animals 4 times a year. So dogs can be more dangerous than cats.
Only children can get worms
did you believeThis only seems to be because children are less precise, wash their hands less often and sometimes do not follow the rules of hygiene. So hygiene rules are important for everyone!
A person infected with worms can infect others
Of course it's true. When you are close to such a "patient" you are taking risks, but you may not even know it. So be sure to wash your hands after shaking hands. It is particularly easy for you to become infected with pinworms (enterobiasis), since these are the most common helminths. Also, dirty children can very often infect their parents, so teach your children to follow the rules of hygiene.