Nematodes in humans are a common phenomenon, because they live almost everywhere and can enter our body through food, water or dirty hands. We can not even guess about it, as they organically fit into our microecosystem.
Description
Nematodes (or roundworms) are small worms of the type of primitive, group of molting. Modern science distinguishes about twenty-four thousand species of these animals, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. According to theoretical estimates, suggest the presence of a million species of nematodes. Their species diversity is so great that it is almost equal to insects.
Allocate free-living nematodes and parasitic. Roundworms live everywhere. In land and water, their number can be up to a million individuals per cubic meter. Those representatives of this species who prefer to become parasites can live in any multicellular organism, even other protozoa.
In the process of their life activity, nematodes cause various diseases in their owners. If this plant, then he observed the death of the root system, damage to the fruit and the formation of galls. The most common nematodes in humans and animals are roundworms, pinworms, trichinella and hookworms. Developing and multiplying, they conquer living space and “clutter up” the internal environment of the host organism, causing unpleasant symptoms.
Varieties of Nematodes
All roundworms have features that unite them.
- A special body shape is spindle-shaped, with bilateral symmetry. The body is not divided into segments, but is coated on the outside.
- The worms are divided into males and females, and not only at the level of the genitals, but also phenotypically: males are longer, and their back part is twisted.
- The representatives of this species have a very simple digestive system (it is a hollow tube from one end of the body to the other). There is no respiratory system, since oxygen enters through the entire surface of the body.
- All nematodes in the development process go through the same stages.
Nematodes in humans, animals, and plants appear due to the fact that the eggs of these worms are able to maintain their viability in the most severe conditions, even where adults die quickly.
Cycle of existence
As mentioned above, all roundworms have approximately the same development cycle, with some minor features.
A person's nematode goes through three stages in his life. The cycle begins in the stomach from the moment of fertilization of the female. It does not have a suction cup, so it freely drifts through the intestines until it reaches the anus. There, nematodes can creep out and remain on the skin of the buttocks and thighs.
About a month after fertilization, the female lays eggs and dies. In order for the offspring to mature, special conditions are needed - heat and high humidity. The folds of skin in the perineal region are perfectly suited for this. With a favorable set of circumstances, the eggs are ready for the birth of new worms in six hours.
A person feels discomfort and combes the skin, so the eggs are under the nail plate, and with unwashed hands they fall back into the intestines. Before full development into an adult, two weeks should pass. All this time they remain in the intestines of the host. In total, the life of roundworms does not exceed three months, but a person can be infected much longer, because repeated infections constantly occur.
Infection methods
Nematodes are dangerous to humans only if there are a large number of them in the body. Then they can cause intestinal obstruction, damage to the liver or lungs.
The easiest way to get parasites is to neglect personal hygiene. Dirty hands, water, unwashed vegetables and fruits can carry adult nematodes. Therefore, it is important to carefully process food, wash hands with soap and do not drink water from open water. A special category is made up of people who often eat raw seafood. Nematodes in fish are also dangerous for humans by the fact that this is the easiest way of infection. The patient may not suspect a disease for a long time. In addition, several types of roundworms can enter the body at the same time.
Unfortunately, even just working in the ground or swimming in the sea, a person is able to get a “pleasant” bonus in the form of a nematode. Larvae and eggs are so small that they penetrate well through intact skin, causing a rash and irritation.
The last way is transmissible, that is, associated with an insect bite. Since nematodes can live in absolutely any living creature, the risk of infection after contact with a mosquito or flea is quite high.
Symptoms
Parasitic nematodes in humans primarily cause disruption of the digestive system, since worms, in order to gain a foothold in one place, injure the intestinal wall. Patients may experience pain without obvious localization, nausea and vomiting, stool disturbance, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, and even jaundice. The last two symptoms are associated with the fact that the nematodes overlap the lumen of the bile ducts and interfere with the normal outflow of secretion.
In addition to intestinal disorders, the symptoms of nematodes in humans are severe itching in the perianal region and perineum. This is most common for pinworm infection. And in the case of Trichinella, the muscles in which the worm multiplies are the first to be hit.
Nematodes not only cause discomfort, but can cause allergies. This is manifested by a weakening of the body's defenses, rashes and itching, intoxication phenomena are increasing due to poisoning by worms. In some cases, people even went crazy because of the subjective sensations of the presence of living organisms in their bodies.
Diagnostics
In order to establish the presence of a nematode in a person, the photo is clearly not enough, although scientists say that absolutely all people are infected with parasites. I want to believe that this is not so.
Therefore, if there is a suspicion that you are not the only ones who own your body, you must definitely consult a doctor and take tests. First of all, this is a study of feces on worm eggs. And you need to do it not once, but as much as three times, for greater reliability.
In addition, the patient must pass a blood test, which in the case of a positive diagnosis will show eosinophilia. And if desired, you can study the presence of specific antibodies and antigens that will indicate a specific pathogen.
If the parasite invasion has occurred in the muscles or organs, then it makes sense to do a biopsy, an ultrasound of the abdomen, as well as conduct a trial course of treatment.
Treatment methods
Treatment of nematodes in humans can take place in two scenarios:
- taking medication;
- oxygen therapy.
In no case do not self-medicate, all drugs should be selected by a doctor. It is based on its experience, research results and knowledge of the life cycle of parasites. In addition, the dosage and duration of administration are important. The instructions indicate the average indications, and the specialist will select the course of treatment for you individually. And it is important to remember that medications for parasites are very toxic.
The second treatment is that pure 100 percent oxygen is introduced into the patient’s digestive tract. For some types of nematodes, this is a deadly poison, so they die and are removed from the body naturally. Laxatives may be used to speed up the process.
Folk remedies
Since the traditional treatment is toxic enough for the body, many people prefer to seek help from traditional medicine. But it is better to consult a doctor before using any means. Even if he does not approve your decision, then, in any case, he will tell you how and when to use homemade medicines.
Most often, with enterobiosis, several types of herbs are used:
- Onions and garlic insist on alcohol, vodka or water, and the resulting infusion is taken with teaspoons.
- Ginger is recommended to chew both fresh and as a tincture.
- Thyme and thyme have a thymol that poisones helminths. But it is not recommended for use with alcohol, since such a combination causes vomiting.
- Wormwood contains thujen, which is toxic to nematodes.
- Tansy flowers are used in cases of blockage of the bile ducts.
After treatment, be sure to undergo a second examination to make sure that it is effective and that folk remedies have not harmed your body.
Prevention
Are nematodes dangerous to humans? Yes, of course, they can cause serious illness, and do not ignore the fact of infection. Therefore, it is better to prevent infection than to fight parasites later, moreover, it is quite simple:
- observe personal hygiene, be sure to wash your hands after public transport, working in a personal plot or bathing in a pond;
- wash and heat treat your food, do not abuse sushi and rolls;
- Use repellents when relaxing in nature;
- if there are small children in the house, then linen, dishes and toys should be treated with boiling water.
It’s easy to follow these rules, they are not burdensome for either adults or children.