Signs of worms in humans

Infection with parasitic worms is a widespread problem throughout the world that affects millions of people. Parasites can live in the body of each person, regardless of whether it is small children or lovers of exotic food. How are the signs of worms in humans? How to determine the presence of intestinal parasites? The answers to these questions can be found in our article.

How can you get worms?

There is an opinion that only people who keep pets can become infected with worms. Yes, in the presence of dogs and cats in the house the risk of reproduction of parasites in the human body increases significantly. However, there are many other ways. Parasitic infections can spread as follows:

• through insects, such as mosquitoes, fleas, flies and ticks;
• through poorly prepared or raw food - poultry and fish;
• due to the use of unwashed fruits and vegetables;
• through polluted water;
• when visiting public toilets and using common personal care products.

In addition, the worms can be infected through contact with the soil that has been contaminated with the feces of a sick person. Also, parasites live and spread in muddy pools, stagnant ponds, streams and rivers.

As you can see, almost everyone can become infected with worms. To avoid this unpleasant phenomenon, you must follow the basic rules of hygiene:

• wash hands before eating, after contact with animals and using the toilet;
• drink only filtered water;
• food should be thermally processed thoroughly, and meat should be washed before cooking;
• do not walk barefoot on open ground and grass;
• Do not swim in the dirty waters and pools.

If you follow these simple rules, you can significantly minimize the risk of infection with worms.

Common signs and symptoms of worms in humans

Exhausted appearance and pale skin - the first sign of worms in humans in the acute stage of development. This stage lasts from 2-3 weeks to several months, depending on the body's immune system. The weaker the human immunity, the more characteristic and clearer the symptoms of infection with worms.

Other signs of the presence of worms in the human body in the early stages of infection include the following symptoms:

• runny nose;
• sleep disturbance;
• teeth grinding during sleep;
• itching in the anus;
• blisters on the lower lip inside the mouth;
• headaches;
• hair loss;
• constant feeling of hunger.

In the long term, on time, unsung worms can cause a number of problems:

• diarrhea;
• gastrointestinal upset;
• vaginal irritation;
• joint pain;
• nervous diseases;
• immune dysfunction;
• chronic fatigue.

Depending on the degree of infection and the type of helminthic invasions, a person may notice one or several of these symptoms. If during this period blood tests are taken, they will show a change in the main indicators and a drop in the level of sugar. Doctors say that the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is a characteristic sign of the presence of worms in humans.

In addition, especially severe infections with worms can cause the following symptoms:

• abdominal cramps and gas;
• increased body temperature and fever;
• mucous discharge in defecation;
• skin rash;
• stomach pain and heartburn;
• sharp weight loss;
• nausea and vomiting;
• intestinal obstruction.

These signs of worms in the body torment a person for a rather long period. Parasites damage and destroy soft tissue, and also produce their own toxic waste products, poisoning the body from the inside. Therefore, it is not surprising that in addition to the above symptoms, a person suffers from constant attacks of various infections.

What organs can live worms?

There are more than a hundred types of parasitic worms that can live in humans. But if you subjectively divide them into species at the place of localization, then you get only three main groups:

• flat worms;
• flukes;
• round parasites.

Flat worms

They do not have separate organs of blood circulation and digestion, therefore they simply breathe and feed through the skin. This subspecies feeds on the blood and tissue fluid of the cell parts inside the human body. Flatworms parasitize on the skin, mouth, respiratory organs, brain and other parts of the body. The only exceptions are tapeworms, which, although they belong to the category of flatworms, but live in the human intestine.

Flukes

This species got its name due to a kind of external structure. Flukes have at least one sucker, which is used to gain a foothold on the human body. Worms survive on nutrients that carry blood cells. Flukes, like flatworms, live in various internal organs of a person, but most of all prefer to infect the respiratory system.

Roundworms

Roundworms are considered the most common. These parasites infect the small and large intestines, as well as the entire digestive system of the body. Carriers of infection of roundworms are often pets, soil and freshwater.

Diagnosis of the presence of worms in the human body

If you suspect the presence of worms, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is impossible to determine which of the subspecies of worms in an adult is only by signs. For an accurate diagnosis, you must complete a full medical examination and laboratory tests:

• Fecal testing helps identify the presence of the simplest worms in the body. To do this, you need to take one or more samples of the morning or evening chair in a research laboratory.
• At home, you can conduct a rapid test "Scotch" for the presence of the most common types of worms. You can buy a special strip for the test at any pharmacy.

For the diagnosis of more serious helminthic invasions, sometimes barium x-rays are used. However, this method is used in extremely rare cases.

Knowing what signs of worms a person has, you will be able to sound the alarm in time and begin treatment. Therapy mainly consists of taking certain medications and following strict preventive measures. With a single infection with worms, the treatment is quite successful and without serious consequences for the body. Be healthy!