Infection with helminths occurs imperceptibly. And the initial signs of the disease are nonspecific. In this regard, patients with a similar pathology do not immediately consult a doctor. Indeed, the manifestations of the disease have much in common with the signs of poisoning, an allergic reaction, arthritis, and an inflammatory process in the stomach. Often a person does not suspect that worms are in his body. Where do parasites come from in adults and children?
Helminth types
Worms are worms and their larvae that inhabit the human body. There are many varieties of parasites.
Most of them are rare. On the territory of the Russian Federation, intestinal nematodes and roundworms are usually observed. These helminths live in the digestive system. Other types of parasites (trichinella, cestodes, flukes) are rare. They are found not only in the intestines, but also in other parts of the body. Where do worms come from ? Helminths appear in people who eat poorly cooked or fried foods (meat, fish, poultry), eat unwashed vegetables, fruits, berries, drink unboiled water.
The most common types of parasites
In adult and juvenile patients, roundworms and pinworms are often found. The first type of helminth is worms, which are light in color and rounded in shape. They are found in the small intestine. Such parasites do not attach to the walls of the organ, move in the opposite direction to the movement of food. Therefore, it is quite difficult to detect worms in the feces. Sometimes in feces you can see helminth eggs. But in order to make them out, it is necessary to conduct analysis under a microscope. In the absence of therapy, roundworms are able to live in the body for several years.
Pinworms are small parasites. Their body has a curved shape and beige color. Such helminths live in the lower intestine. Worms exit the body with feces. At night, they crawl to the surface of the skin and lay eggs.
Where do worms come from in humans? Small white worms (roundworms, pinworms) penetrate the body through the fecal-oral route. They go out with feces, and, falling into favorable conditions, continue their development and find a new owner.
Helminth eggs are found everywhere: in soil, water, on the surface of plants. Worms are carried by flies, wind, animals.
Toddlers often become infected with parasites when they play in the sandbox or on the beach. Worm eggs fall on the surface of vegetables, fruits and berries.
Where do worms come from? Specialists call helminthiasis a disease of unwashed hands. Ignoring hygiene is the main cause of infection. Worm eggs can enter the body even when using other people's things, such as towels.
The main causes of the development of pathology
Many people are interested in how to protect themselves from infection. Speaking about the prevention of helminthiases, you should first find out where the worms come from in humans. The most common methods of infection include percutaneous, alimentary, contact-household, and transmissible.
Parasites can occur in the following circumstances:
- Eating food containing worm eggs.
- Eating poorly processed fish, meat, and also game, which has not passed veterinary control. The larvae of some parasites do not die even after prolonged quenching. Therefore, you need to use only proven products.
- Violation of hygiene standards.
- Swimming in rivers and lakes containing parasite larvae.
- Work with the land in the garden, garden.
Where do worms come from in an adult? Professional activities associated with a high risk of infection are also a provoking factor. Employees of children's institutions, livestock workers, catering and poultry farms should follow the rules of personal hygiene.
What organs do worms live in?
There are many false claims about where the parasites live. Not all data have scientific justification. Humans are either primary or intermediate hosts for helminths. Some worms after the phase of sexual reproduction stand out with feces. Others penetrate various organs and cause pathological processes in them.
Helminths can be found under the skin, in the bladder, tissues of the liver, eyes, heart and lungs, in the brain and even in muscles.
Environmental Sources
The summer season is a period of activity of insects. Arthropods contribute to the seeding of fruits and vegetables by parasite larvae. Eating dirty apples picked from a tree or berries from bushes increases the risk of infection.
Where do worms come from in an adult? The likelihood of illness increases when eating foods of animal origin (fat, caviar), omelettes from unwashed eggs, foods that are sold in street stalls. Tea spilled in plastic glasses can also cause infection. In adults, as in children, helminths are often found after visiting beaches.
Parasites are a threat to life
Worms take up useful substances and vitamins, disrupt the functioning of organs and systems, poison cells and tissues with toxic compounds. In addition, they can cause complications that require surgery, for example:
- Inflammation of the appendix.
- Bowel obstruction, peritonitis.
- Blockage of the ducts of the gallbladder.
- Damage to the visual organs.
Long-term exposure to helminths on the body can provoke cirrhosis and malignant tumors in the liver, inflammation of the meninges, pneumonia and myocarditis.
Parasites in babies
Where do worms come from in children? Minor patients can become infected on the street, in the clinic, in the nursery. Danger lies in wait for kids in any room where helminths are able to live. Street shoes, dirty floor in the corridor, unwashed toys - all this poses a threat to the children's body. Infection occurs as a result of ignoring the rules of hygiene. Parasites occur in patients who do not wash their hands after a toilet or sandbox and before eating, eat dirty berries, vegetables and fruits, drink water from rivers and lakes. Speaking about where the worms come from in a child, it should be noted that representatives of the fauna are a source of danger.
This is, first of all, arthropods (cockroaches, ants and flies). The threat is cats and dogs, which kids love to play with. Children often become infected due to the fact that the mechanisms of protection of their gastrointestinal tract are not fully formed. In addition, some parents do not monitor the personal hygiene of their sons and daughters.
Signs indicating the presence of pathology
The fact that helminths are present in the child's body can be judged by indirect manifestations. The baby has abundant saliva, nausea, lack or increased appetite. Sometimes he complains of discomfort in the peritoneum around the navel. Disorders of bowel function (constipation or diarrhea) are observed. The kid quickly gets tired, dizzy. His skin becomes pale, dark circles appear under his eyes. Symptoms of helminthiasis also include allergic reactions, dermatitis, itching in the anus, restless sleep, and gnashing of teeth at night. Speaking about where the worms come from in humans, it should be noted that the source of the pathology is often animals, not only stray dogs and cats, but also pets. Some parents believe that a four-legged friend who almost does not go out does not pose a danger to the child. But this is not so. Kids often kiss cats and dogs on the nose, hug, take with them to bed. And the absence of obvious signs of helminthiasis does not mean that the child has not become infected.
Ways to combat parasites
Today, there are many drugs that contribute to the death of worms and do not have a harmful effect on the human body. The absence of toxic effects is especially important in the treatment of small patients. On the recommendation of WHO, parents need to check children from 1.5 to 7 years old twice a year (in spring and autumn), even if they have no obvious signs of illness. Examinations allow you to detect pathology at an early stage and start therapy on time.
They talk about where the worms come from and how to get rid of parasites, it should be added that this disease is found not only in humans, but also in animals. Pets need to be regularly given drugs for the prevention of helminthiasis (funds are prescribed by veterinarians). Compliance with this rule will avoid infection.
Alternative methods of therapy
There are traditional medicines for the treatment of pathology. The most common of them are Vermox, Dekaris, Pirantel, Nemozol. However, there are other methods to combat pathology. These include the following:
- A decoction of onions.
- Infusion of pomegranate bark.
- Enema with soda.
- Juice from carrots or sour berries.
- A mixture of garlic with milk.
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Tincture of wormwood.
- Sauerkraut pickle.
These funds are auxiliary methods of treatment. The main therapy should be prescribed by a specialist.
How to avoid the occurrence of helminthiasis?
Where do worms come from? The source of infection is many environmental factors (water, soil, food, animals and insects). To avoid the development of pathology, you need to adhere to such rules:
- Wash hands before eating, after using the toilet, the street, and contact with animals.
- Eat only pure berries, fruits and vegetables.
- There are thermally processed and tested fish and meat.
- Regularly do wet cleaning in the house and change bedding, clean carpets, and upholstered furniture.
Speaking about where the worms come from in children and how to get rid of helminths, it should be noted that before using tablets and folk remedies, you should consult your doctor. Parents need to monitor the baby's hygiene, explain the basic rules of prevention.