How to check for worms at home?

Parasites in the body are far from a rare occurrence, especially in children. Yes, and adults find various invasions. Kids suffer from them more often due to the fact that everyone is pulled in the mouth, and many types of parasites can be infected by the fecal-oral route. There are more than 200 types of worms that parasitize in the human body, so the methods for identifying them are very diverse. To diagnose helminthic invasions in the human body, sometimes it is necessary to carry out several specific studies. In this article, we will understand how to check for worms and parasites?

Types and characteristics of worms

This is a large group of creatures living inside the individual and eating at his expense. Some of them practically do not affect well-being, while others become the cause of various serious diseases. There are four large groups of parasites:

  • Worms - round and flat, move through the body, sucking nutrients from individual organs and tissues, thereby disrupting their work.
  • The simplest are unicellular microorganisms. They settle both in individual organs of a person, and spread throughout the body. They feed on organ cells and can cause serious pathologies.
  • Mycoses are fungal parasites. They live in the body like the simplest.
  • Bacteriosis - a group of parasites consists of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacteria that are in the body of each individual and do not manifest themselves under certain conditions.
Berries in a bowl

Scientists have nearly 300 different types of parasites that live in the human body. Each of them is dangerous to varying degrees, so it is very important to periodically (at least once a year) take tests to identify them.

Diagnostic Methods

To check for worms, which doctor should I contact? This question worries those who first suspected uninvited residents inside themselves. In this case, it is necessary to make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist or a local GP. They will conduct appropriate examinations and prescribe treatment. To identify worms, several methods are used. The most common are:

  • Microscopic examination - a laboratory study under a microscope of feces. Identify larvae and fragments of parasites. Microscopy of feces does not detect parasites that are inside the tissues.
  • PCP diagnostics - carried out at the molecular level. In this case, the patient’s blood is examined. This method allows you to determine the presence in the body of an individual of protozoa, intracellular parasites and viruses, but this method does not calculate their number.
  • IFA - how to check for worms with this method? An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determines antibodies and antigens in the blood. The results of the analysis are 90% reliable. They depend on the number of worms in the body and their life cycle. The method determines the type of parasites and their degree of distribution.
  • ART - autonomic resonance testing. Computer diagnostics is carried out, which allows to determine the type of worms by electromagnetic waves before their clinical manifestations. This is the most reliable and convenient method for humans.
  • KID - clinical and instrumental diagnostics. It is performed using ultrasound, CT, MRI and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). The result of the diagnosis depends on the experience of the laboratory assistant, how reliably he will interpret the data.

How to check for worms and which way to choose? Your doctor will help you make the choice.

blood test

Symptoms of the presence of worms in the body

Suspicion that parasites have settled in the body is manifested by various signs. So, the appearance of pinworms is characterized by itching in the anus, which often occurs at night. This happens because the females, living in the intestines, get out of it and lay their eggs near the anus. One individual can lay up to 15 thousand eggs per day, the maturation of which occurs in just six hours. It is difficult to determine infection with other varieties of parasites on their own, since their inherent symptoms can also occur with other diseases:

  • General weakness.
  • Joint pain and muscle.
  • Sleep disturbance.
  • Fast fatiguability.
  • Nausea, vomiting.
  • Disruption of the intestines.
  • Headache.
  • Poor appetite.
Hand wash

All of the above signs appear due to intoxication of the body with the vital products of parasites, damage to important organs: intestines, heart, liver, bile ducts and many others. If such symptoms appear, it is advisable to undergo a worm examination. This can be done at a public health clinic or private diagnostic center. For example, where to check for worms in Rostov? Helminth screening can be done at the Anti-Plague Institute, located on ul. Gorky or at the Institute of Parasitology on the street. Varfolomeeva, as well as in a health care institution in the community.

Where to do the analysis

An analysis to identify worms is included in the clinical examination plan. In addition, he must be prescribed when receiving a health book for those whose profession is related to catering or working in a children's team, as well as before vaccinations and when registering pregnant women. When you visit a doctor for any reason and the patient complains about feeling unwell, along with other examinations, an analysis for the determination of helminths is also prescribed. Where can I check for worms?

Roundworm - helminths

A general analysis of feces and scrapings for enterobiosis are given at any clinic in the community. For conducting modern and informative examinations, it is necessary to contact private diagnostic centers that do analyzes for a fee. The result is issued quickly, with good accuracy and a convenient way to get an answer. If parasites are found, it is necessary to consult a doctor for the appointment of treatment. Remember that worms can seriously undermine your health, cause blockage of the intestines, damage liver cells, disrupt the functioning of the heart, lungs and other important organs.

How to check for worms at home

Worms live in the human body and feed on it, but people do not immediately notice their existence. Signs of malaise, rapid fatigue and headache are due to fatigue, heavy workload and inadequate rest. With prolonged ill health, it is necessary to check for worms. To do this, you need to go to the clinic, take a direction and pass at least an elementary analysis of feces on an egg-list. It happens that for some reason this fails. Then the question arises: how to check for worms in a home environment? You can check at home, but the results may not be entirely accurate, and we are not talking about determining the type of parasite. There are three options for this:

  1. There is a test that is purchased at the pharmacy, but it rarely appears on its shelves.
  2. Scotch test. To conduct it, you need to take a small transparent glass, duct tape or scotch tape, a magnifying glass with a large range of magnification. A piece of tape to attach to the dermis in the anus. After that, the adhesive tape is glued to the glass, previously washed with soap and dried. Using the magnifying glass, the reverse side of the glass is carefully scanned for the presence of worm eggs. Manipulation is carried out immediately after sleep, without conducting hygiene procedures. For the accuracy of the result, it is repeated several times over 10 days. The method cannot be called highly effective, and only pinworms can be determined using it.
  3. Examination of feces - this method allows you to identify worms (living or dead) after natural or forced bowel movements. How to check for worms in this way at home? In this case, feces are collected in a separate container. The procedure with an enema is best done in the evening, using 0.7 liters of boiled water, into which you need to add a spoonful of sodium chloride and 30 g of baking soda. Parasites can be detected in this way only with prolonged helminthic invasion.
Parasites - Giardia

Above are three ways to check for worms at home, but the procedure for detecting parasites living in the human body is best done in a medical facility. The result will be much more accurate. If parasites are found, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment. After all, for each type of helminthic invasion, certain drugs are needed.

Self-medication

Many believe that parasites can be eliminated on their own without visiting a doctor. To do this, you just need to purchase the most popular anthelmintic. In fact, this opinion is erroneous. There are hundreds of types of parasites that settle inside humans. In addition, each of them is sensitive to a certain type of medication. In addition, uncontrolled intake of drugs can cause poisoning. That is why it is better not to try to find a way to check for worms at home and get rid of them yourself, but to seek help at a health care institution, undergo examination and a course of therapy under the supervision of specialists. Self-medication of children is especially dangerous, because it is very easy to harm a fragile body. If helminthic infestations are detected, they should not be excreted on their own, as this can cause significant harm to health.

child takes a pill

Check for egg eggs in the clinic at the place of residence

Infection of a person with parasites can occur in the following ways:

  • Contact with another person with helminthic infestations.
  • Pet care.
  • The use of raw water taken from open sources.
  • The use of poorly washed vegetables and fruits.
  • Use of raw or insufficiently thermally processed meat for food.

Of course, they become infected with worms if they do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, which consists in washing their hands thoroughly before eating and after working with the ground or with animals.

The presence of worms in the body contributes to a decrease in immunity, a deterioration in well-being, and the occurrence of various diseases. Having suspected their loved ones or personally at their presence, it is necessary to undergo an examination in the clinic. How to check for worms in a hospital? To do this, you need to contact a local therapist or infectious disease specialist, talk about your problems, get a referral for tests. Typically, standard worm detection procedures are performed:

  1. Fecal analysis. A coprogram is conducted to detect parasitic worms. For research, the patient collects a small amount of feces after sleep in sterile containers purchased in a pharmacy. Material must be delivered to the laboratory within two hours after collection. It can be stored in the refrigerator, but not more than eight hours. The study determines the presence of eggs of worms or fragments of their life. For a more accurate result, repeated delivery of the biomaterial with an interval of two days is required. So repeat up to four times.
  2. Blood analysis. How to check for worms by blood? For the examination, an enzyme immunoassay is performed. Its accuracy is 95%. Blood is drawn from a vein on an empty stomach in the morning. The day before the examination, it is recommended not to take junk food, not to drink alcohol, reduce smoking.
  3. Scraping on enterobiosis. It is carried out to detect parasite eggs. A smear is taken in the anus. Scraping is done with suspected infection with pinworms and other helminths. Most often, such an analysis is carried out for children.
Pinworm parasite

If helminthic diseases are detected, treatment is carried out.

How to check for worms in Invitro

Since a large number of types of worms are parasitic in the body of an individual, various analyzes are performed in the Invitro laboratory network, which are available in almost all major cities, to detect them:

  • Coprogram (feces on worm eggs). Under the microscope, the laboratory technician examines the biomaterial for the detection of larvae, fragments or eggs of parasites. Readiness analysis in "Invitro" can be found the next day. This method is not particularly effective, since helminths parasitizing in the intestines are not able to lay eggs every night. The analysis has to be repeated several times with an interval of five days. The cost of the study is about 350 rubles.
  • Scraping. This is one of the most common enterobiosis tests. The results will be ready the day after the delivery of the material. Only pinworms can be detected in this way. The average price is 200 rubles.
  • Enzyme immunoassay. How to check for worms using such a study? Need to donate blood. By changing its composition, parasites are found, since in the course of their life activity they release toxins into the bloodstream. In this way, they stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, which are detected in the analysis. This is a fairly effective method that allows you to identify many varieties of parasites. The result is prepared from two to nine days, which depends on the type of specific helminth. The price for identifying one parasite from 400 rubles.
  • General analysis and blood biochemistry also make it possible to suspect helminthic invasion, while hemoglobin is lowered, and the level of leukocytes is increased. The cost is 200 rubles.

In different cities, prices may vary slightly in one direction or another. Above are the average prices at Invitro laboratories in Moscow. You can check for worms at any health care institution at your own expense or for free. Before undergoing the procedure, it is advisable to obtain a referral from a doctor.

Types of analyzes

Each study is distinguished by its features and degree of reliability. The following types of analyzes are distinguished:

  • Preventive. Held for early detection of worms in the absence of symptoms. This analysis is available to an individual in any laboratory. Doctors recommend taking it annually.
  • Barrier. Their goal is to minimize the risk of the spread of helminthiasis. This analysis is mandatory for children in admission to child care facilities, for adults in the design of the health book.
  • In the direction of the doctor. It is carried out in the presence of symptoms indicating infection. A doctor may prescribe one or more types of tests.

In Moscow, you can check for worms at any nearby medical center or in a clinic at the place of residence.

How to remove parasites

Many worms in the body of an individual live for years without causing any symptoms. You can suspect the presence of helminths if you have such painful conditions:

  • Nausea and vomiting in the morning.
  • Pallor of the skin.
  • Headache.
  • Irritability.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Weight loss for no apparent reason.
  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Pain in the abdomen.

We examined where you can check for worms. Which doctor to go to, you already know. Now consider how to remove parasites. An infectious disease doctor is involved in parasitology, he also conducts treatment of the patient. To combat parasites, there is a huge arsenal of tools. All of them are divided into three groups:

  1. Chemical-based preparations. These include: "Biltricid", "Praziquantel", "Mebendazole", "Pirantel", "Albendazole". However, these drugs are toxic and cause side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, headaches. Therefore, cleansing the body is carried out simultaneously with the intake of sorbents. The drugs have a wide spectrum of action and kill several types of parasites at the same time. Most of these drugs are taken once. With kidney disease, these medicines are contraindicated.
  2. Herbal preparations. Using this group of medicines, antibodies are produced in the body, which helps fight parasites even after taking medication. At the end of treatment, vitamin complexes are prescribed to restore immunity.
  3. Home remedies. To do this, use pumpkin seeds, herbal teas, garlic and enemas with infusions of medicinal plants.

All means for expelling parasites should be selected by the doctor, taking into account the type of helminths, chronic diseases and the characteristics of the patient's body. After the treatment, be sure to re-check for the presence of worms and do not forget about preventive measures.


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