Many of us, after our summer vacation, 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 one teacher became ill right in class.The children were scared, and the doctors did not know what was wrong with her, because she was in very serious condition.Each physician promoted his own theory.Some thought that 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 behind the teacher’s suffering.It was a tapeworm that was tormenting 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 script of this series is made 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?
About prevention against worms
People, when they hear about various miraculous remedies for destroying these parasites, forget about 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 with even the most “abnormal” medications, drink all sorts of dubious herbs and even do enemas with garlic.
It is very important not to overdo it with any medications and stop in time.In the case of parasitic diseases, everyone should be careful in choosing medications for helminths because without taking the right medications, we can even complicate the situation.Don't grab 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 parasites.
There are more than 300,000 species of helminths known on our planet that affect vertebrates.There are 300 species of helminths observed in humans (according to other sources, more than 12,000 species).So it simply won’t 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 such “tourists” from tropical countries where we like to vacation (Türkiye, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
Each region in the world is characterized by certain worms.And everyone has a different form of entry into the body.
How many types of helminths are there on Earth?
Schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes.And you can become infected with them very easily if you swim in a local fresh water body or drink water from local sources.Schistosomes mainly 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 filariae while on vacation to the islands of Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti, and also in Egypt.The main carriers of these parasites are mosquitoes (native mosquitoes).
Filaria 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 Leishmania) and malaria.Leishmaniasis affects the mucous membranes and skin.
How to avoid filaria infection?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes get close to you, much less bite.Use curtains, repellents and special mosquito nets.
When in the tropics, avoid running or walking barefoot on local paths or sandy beaches.The fact is that in this way you can capture other types of parasites.In the “harmless” sand, various parasitic larvae are often hidden, which can very quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet!So sometimes after returning from trips you can find some kind of larva under the skin.Just like in some horror movie!
How to avoid infection with such parasites?Walk only in shoes and it is not recommended to lie on sand or grass without a mat.
Fluke
The most dangerous food is raw fish, as well as uncooked fish.
Fluke is one of many parasites that can be found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
Having tried a piece of such fish (meaning infected), after 1/2 - 1 month you can feel unpleasant feelings in the liver area, as well as a rash.
Flukes are not the only ones transmitted this way.Many worms are waiting for the next owner to bite a raw fish.Fans of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish also run the risk of becoming infected with fluke.
How to avoid fluke infection?
First of all, exclude any exotic dishes made from raw fish from the menu.If you still cannot refrain from eating such 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 already, otherwise you risk it.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think, that there are still no other worms?Make no mistake, we found them in other well-known products.
Europeans are very fond of rare steaks.And here lies another danger - trichinosis.
Other helminths cannot even compare with this, 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 meal can “give” other parasites: pork and bovine tapeworms.
How to avoid infection with trichinosis and tapeworm?
Eat well-cooked meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
Roundworms and pinworms
Even when we eat vegetables and fruits, we need to think about the fact that another threat of infection looms: roundworms and pinworms.That's why our mothers taught us to wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them.Most often, the threat comes from herbs (greens), which are brought to us from the southern regions.
How to avoid infection with roundworms and pinworms?
If you bought greens at the market, be sure to wash 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 vessel, and only then rinse each leaf separately.Like this!
Positive aspects of worms
I think that the thought of such “pets” roaming around is not very warming.But let's be optimistic, because life is wonderful.
The microcosm around us is filled with all sorts of surprises:
- bacteria,
- viruses,
- parasites.
But we contain whole kilograms of such biomass and there is nothing pathological about it.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, the synthesis of certain vitamins, and thanks to them, digestion works differently.
I don’t want to call helminths useful animals 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 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 are fighting against may anger them.Thus, they can complicate the situation by penetrating the bile ducts and causing liver abscess.So, keep in mind, regular prevention is not always helpful!It is better to get tested at the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of worm infection
What to do?Worms surround us everywhere and, thus, we can easily become infected; it is not recommended to be treated for them without a diagnosis, and diagnostics to identify helminths is not the easiest task.Worms are very good at masquerading as other diseases.
And what’s most interesting: the larger the helminth (there are giants that reach up to 10 meters), the calmer it behaves.So, analyzing only some 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.Here are a few cases in which you need to get tested:
- during a recent vacation to different parts of the world, you ate various local dubious delicacies, swam in hotel pools in which the water was not chlorinated, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked on the sand, grass, touched local dogs and cats;
- you have a high fever, hives, redness, itching, rash on the body, chills, bloating and abdominal pain.
If you find out your situation, then you need to see a parasitologist.
Rules of personal hygiene in order not to become 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, must be peeled or boiled.It is under no circumstances recommended to use them in their simple form.
- Other questionable products are
- uncooked meat;
- raw fish (any form, even 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
Do not risk walking barefoot on sand, grass, or paths in exotic countries.Please use a sun lounger and slippers.
Bathing
It is prohibited to swim 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 mosquitoes) are very dangerous parasites because they are serious carriers of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
You need to use repellent, wear long sleeves, and sleep under a canopy.
Lingerie
It is strictly forbidden to air dry laundry in exotic countries.
The problem is that flies from tropical countries love to lay eggs on it, and when you wear swimming trunks, larvae will hatch which can cause dermatitis.
Where can tests be done to detect worms?
Do tests only in specialized government clinics.It is not recommended to do such tests in questionable institutions.
One of the reasons not to contact such clinics is the fact that they can find anything you want even if you have nothing.
Yes, yes, in order to hook 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 charlatans, and feel free to go to standard government clinics.
Now let's talk about the so-called universal diagnostics.In such a matter as the detection of helminths, this is not possible.
If they are in the bladder, then you will have to give urine, if in the intestines, then feces, if in the muscle mass, then you will have to do an X-ray of the muscles, if in the liver, then an ultrasound.
What did you think?Positive results of 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 become infected with helminths 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.Those who follow basic hygiene rules, as a rule, reduce their risk of infection.
- The main thing is not to panic and not to take any medications for prevention, because there are no universal remedies for worms.Even tablets for worms 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 your diagnosis and prescribe the right pills.If you take care of your pets (cats and dogs) 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 doubts on 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 need to be taken only in good specialized clinics.In bad clinics, you can spend a lot of money, but you won’t get treatment.
- Any medications taken for prevention can only cause harm.Do not use them “just for prevention”, otherwise you can destroy the intestinal flora and even “earn” toxic hepatitis.Echinococcosis is very dangerous and that’s why doing something like this on your own can explode the cyst where the larva is located.This can be fatal.
- If you were recommended “some dietary supplements for worms” in “some clinic,” 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 of the worms contain fish that have not undergone the necessary treatment or that, after being caught, were not immediately cleaned before freezing.This is how the chances of getting infected increase.
Dogs can become more easily infected with worms than cats.
Indeed, 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 a course of treatment to the animals 4 times a year.So dogs can be more dangerous in this regard, compared to 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 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 near such a “patient” you are taking a risk, but you may not even know it.So after shaking hands, wash your hands just in case.You can especially easily 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 the rules of hygiene.