When we talk about parasites, long worms immediately appear. However, this is not quite true. Parasites are not only worms in humans, but also fungi, bacteria, and viruses with similar properties. In other words, these are creatures that live and reproduce due to the vital activity of another organism. In this article, we will talk about what are parasitic worms, what treatment and prevention measures need to be applied to get rid of them.
Roundworms. Main features
These worms in humans are called so because of the shape of the cross section. The body of the parasites is long, non-segmented, sometimes its size reaches 20 cm. The worms do not have special organs for attachment. In the human body, they hold against the ends of their body against the intestines.
Characteristics
The most common are roundworms. Human parasites have a number of features by which they can be characterized:
- The body cavity does not have its own walls. Inside it is a liquid in which the organs of reproduction and digestion are located. The body of the worms is quite dense. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the body fluid is under constant pressure.
- Muscular-skin sack. The worms in humans have a dense body with a fused layer of longitudinal muscles. That is, worms can only bend.
- Digestive organs. The mouth of the roundworm is at the end of the body. He has three lips through which food is absorbed. Next, the food enters the intestines, and the unprocessed portion is ejected through the anus at the other end of the body.
- Reproduction. Roundworms are human parasites that are dioecious. That is, they have both females and males. Female can lay up to 200,000 eggs in one day. They are covered with a dense shell. After a few weeks, larvae begin to form inside the eggs. Often their traces can be seen in the feces, so when the first signs of infection appear, they pass a stool test.
Also in a person can live worms of other species (tape, flukes).
Types of Roundworms
Worms in humans can be of different types. They live in plants and animals. There are more than 5000 species of round individuals. The most common parasite are human roundworms. Children often have pinworms. There is another variety of roundworms - hairs. They can be seen in shallow swamps and ponds. They look like moving lumps. They parasitize only in insects. And they float to the surface of the water to lay eggs.
Signs and symptoms of infection
Some mistakenly think that parasitic worms suck out blood or feed on human cells. This is not true. The harm they cause to our body is poisonous secretions that can poison and cause headaches. When parasite larvae enter the bloodstream, in some cases they can end up in the human lungs and damage their walls. This can cause some form of lung disease. Symptoms of parasite infection:
- diarrhea and diarrhea;
- headache;
- bloating;
- gas and pain;
- weight loss;
- fatigue and constant fatigue;
- irritation in the anus;
- the appearance of worms in the feces.
How do parasites enter the human body?
Round, like tapeworms, in humans live in the intestines. How do they get there? Everyone knows that dirty hands are the main source of parasite infection. But this is not the only way to catch worms. The eggs of some types of worms are found in large numbers on animal hair. Larvae, falling from a cat or dog, can live up to six months, getting into bedding, clothes and on the dining table. Through the hands, the eggs of the worms enter our stomach, and then into the intestines. In addition to pets, larvae are also carried by flies. They may also be present on unwashed greens, fruits, and vegetables. Larvae of parasites live in pork and fish, so cook these foods correctly, otherwise there is a risk of contracting trichinosis or opisthorchiasis.
What to treat?
If you notice the above symptoms in yourself, then you need to immediately pass the feces for analysis. If the case is more serious, then the doctor may order an x-ray. It is important to comprehensively treat this type of disease. Today, there are various drugs that effectively fight parasitic worms. Most often prescribed medications such as:
- "Piperazine adipate";
- Levamisole;
- Pirantel
- Vermox.
These drugs may have a different name. For example, “Levamisole” is the same as “Dekaris”, “Mebendazole” - “Vermox”, “Combantrin” - “Pirantel”. All of these drugs quickly destroy worms. Human parasitic worms die after a single dose of the drug. The process of glycolysis is suppressed, and the muscles of the worms are paralyzed. Helmioses in a day are removed from an organism. Doses are calculated according to the age and weight of the patient. Repeated administration of the drug after 7 days is sometimes allowed.
Disease prevention
If worms have settled in a person, then doctors do not always immediately prescribe medication. Often, doctors prepare the human body by prescribing pumpkin and linseed oil. This is the first stage of therapy. Next, Enterosgel is prescribed to remove toxic secretions and poisons from the human body. Only then can you drink anthelmintic.
In folk medicine, there are also some recipes for controlling parasites. Yarrow, wormwood, anise and tansy will help get rid of the worms. From these plants you can make a useful decoction. An effective method of fighting worms is an enema from this infusion.
Tips & Tricks
Worms in the human body are a fairly common occurrence. To prevent infection, you should adhere to simple rules, and then you will not have to drink drugs and move on to the more serious stages of treatment:
- To cleanse your body more often, drink more fluids. 2 liters per day is a necessary dose for a person.
- Eat more fresh vegetables - garlic, beets, carrots, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate. These products fight parasites effectively.
- Eat yogurt with probiotics to improve digestive health.
- Take vitamins, daily you need to get at least 20-30 g of zinc.
- To destroy parasites at home, you can drink the plant enzyme papain. This element restores microflora and improves intestinal function, reducing the risk of infection.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. It should be treated with water and chicken eggs.
- Keep away from food street gloves, shoes.
- After you get home, always wash your hands with soap. Do not put dirty bags on the dining table, do not lay out money next to food.
- During holidays or vacations, do not swim in open wounds. When traveling or traveling, drink purified or bottled water.
- Bathe only in authorized places.
- Avoid swallowing while swimming and diving.
- Eat more vitamin C.
In any case, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate and do not diagnose yourself. Be sure to take tests, and only after that take the appropriate drugs.