Roundworms, or nematodes, are the most diverse type of helminths, numbering several tens of thousands of species. Some of them do not harm humans, but there are also predatory nematodes in people that are dangerous to their health, as they cause some very dangerous diseases: ascariasis, strongyloidosis, etc.
Description and life cycle
The most characteristic feature of their appearance is a round cross section and an elongated spindle-shaped body shape, due to which they easily adapt to the environment and are successfully introduced into the tissues of the human body, reaching the blood vessels or a suitable organ, most often the intestines.
Some structural features of nematodes:
- these helminths are dioecious, and the female is usually larger than the male;
- have a developed nervous and digestive system;
- the reproductive system is also well developed.
The life cycle of such worms consists of 1-3 stages of larvae that mature into a mature individual. A threat to human health is represented by both larvae and adult helminths. Their eggs appear on the ground together with the feces of a sick person, then they enter the intermediate organism of an animal or immediately find a host in the human body, penetrating through soil or dirt. Once in a favorable human environment for them, the worms gradually develop to adulthood, migrating with blood flow throughout the body. They can settle in any human organ, even in the brain, but more often they penetrate the lungs, and then through the saliva into the digestive organs.
The most common types of human nematodes are pinworms, roundworms and whipworms.
Ways of infection with nematodes
Up to 45 species of these worms can simultaneously settle in the human body, sometimes causing serious diseases called nematodes.
Infection with nematodes in humans can occur in several ways:
- eating unwashed fruits or vegetables;
- in contact with insects, such as mosquitoes;
- through the skin.
In most cases, people are able to protect themselves from these worms by observing personal hygiene and conducting regular preventive treatment with medications or herbs.
Depending on what kind of nematodes have settled in humans, their symptoms and treatment may vary.
Roundworm
Ascaris is a round worm with a rather large size: females reach 40 cm, males - 20 cm. This type of worms lives and develops only in the human body. Adult females, being in the body of an infected person, secrete eggs that enter the soil with feces. The parasite matures in 2-3 weeks only under favorable conditions: with increased humidity, oxygen and a temperature of up to 25 º, while in the ground.
When they enter the human body through unwashed products, the eggs migrate through the internal organs, gradually ripening into the larva. Therefore, the answer to the question "What nematode larvae migrate throughout the human body?" there will be roundworms. It is such a larva that, having got into the intestine, pierces its wall and penetrates into the vein, through it into the lungs. At this stage, the patient begins to cough, due to which the helminth is ejected into the throat and into the intestine through the digestive tract, already becoming a mature worm, ready for reproduction. In this state, roundworm is located there for the coming year.
The number of such nematodes in a sick person can be several hundred, since they multiply rapidly.
Pinworms
Pinworm is a small white worm ranging in size from 5 mm (males) to 10 (females), which is the causative agent of enterobiasis, a common disease in children. An adult worm usually lives in the small intestine, from where it creeps out at night through the anus to lay eggs (up to 15 thousand), then dies. Such a process is usually manifested by itching in the anus, due to which children in a dream often comb this place.
Eggs mature very quickly, in just a few hours. Getting with the help of children's pens on clothes or bed, they then re-penetrate into the child's mouth and back into the intestines. The life cycle of pinworm is about 58 days, and then it dies.
Due to constant itching, infected children sleep poorly, become nervous, and their health deteriorates. With the penetration of pinworms into the appendix, its inflammation may begin.
Vlasoglav human
This type of nematode-human parasite is the cause of the disease trichocephalosis, it lives in the lower and upper intestines, found only in humans. Further development is carried out through feces: getting outside, whipworm eggs develop within 3 weeks, and then penetrate unwashed vegetables and fruits, drinking water into the human intestines.
The parasite feeds exclusively on blood, digging into the intestinal wall, it causes inflammation and pain in the abdomen. Seizures are also likely to occur, due to the supply of whipworm with blood, the patient develops anemia, dysbiosis, and possibly inflammation of the appendix.
Symptoms of helminth infection
The following symptoms are common to all types of nematode infection in humans:
- a feeling of general weakness, chronic fatigue;
- recurrent headaches;
- sleep disturbances;
- nervous excitement, mood swings.
There are also specific signs indicating any kind of helminth and infection with it:
- itching in the anus, especially in children, is a sign of pinworms;
- nausea and vomiting occurring paroxysmally - a sign of the penetration of the helminth into the intestine;
- rash after eating protein, toxic-allergic reactions - with the migration of worms in the human body;
- cough (sometimes with blood) appears when roundworm penetrates into the lungs, sometimes accompanied by bronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases;
- muscle pain
- digestive system disorders: pain, diarrhea or constipation, the presence of mucus or blood in the feces;
- a decrease in the body's defenses, a decrease in immunity.
In addition to damage to the lungs and digestive organs, lesions of the liver, lungs, gall bladder, eyes and many other organs are possible.
Infection of humans with nematodes from animals
Many pets, including cats and dogs, can become carriers of worms. Animal owners are often interested in whether nematodes are transmitted from cats to humans and which ones. Let's consider this question in more detail.
Various types of worms can settle in the cat's body: roundworms, toxacaris, etc., which, after entering the human body, can cause damage to various vital organs and provoke a deterioration in the general condition of the owner of the cat or dog.
How can a person avoid being infected with worms from their pets? You won’t be able to help with ordinary hand washing, because animals, even without leaving the house, can become infected with nematodes, having received their eggs with shoes of a person who comes to the house. Then they walk around the apartment, jump on sofas, caress their master, go to the toilet in a special tray - and everywhere they can spread worm eggs, that is, nematodes in cats are transmitted to humans regardless of their hygienic precautions.
The only right decision in such a situation is to conduct regular prophylaxis for both the pet and the owner, and always at the same time. The medicine for the cat and for the person must be taken on the same day, and then repeated after 12-14 days in order to destroy not only adult parasites, but also young ones that have hatched from eggs over these days.
Diagnosis and treatment of nematodosis
At the slightest suspicion of the presence of helminths, you should consult a doctor and make the necessary tests:
- analysis for the presence of eggs and larvae of nematodes in human feces;
- a blood test can show changes in white blood cells and eosinophils;
- if there is a suspicion of a non-intestinal form, an X-ray is taken or an MRI scan is performed
- There is also an immunological method for checking for antibodies to a particular parasite.
Treatment is carried out with the help of anthelmintic drugs, which should be prescribed by the attending physician after making an accurate diagnosis and determining the type of nematodes. Calculation of the dose of the drug is based on the patient’s body weight.
Popular medicines for helminths
The most commonly used nematode pills for humans:
- "Nemozol" (analogue - "Vormil") is an anthelmintic drug in the form of a suspension or tablets taken orally once a day with meals. The active substance is albendazole, which has some contraindications for use: retinal diseases, pregnancy, and individual intolerance to the components. Possible adverse reactions: upset stomach, high blood pressure, allergic rash. The action of the drug is based on the inhibition of metabolic processes in parasites and their complete destruction.
- Dekaris not only kills helminths (roundworms), but also positively affects the patient’s immunity. When taking the medicine, the nematodes paralyze and die right in the intestine. Contraindications: pregnancy and feeding a child, children under 3 years of age, bone marrow disease. Side effects: headache, dizziness, an allergic reaction, a feeling of nausea are possible.
- "Pyrantel" acts on the transmission of impulses of worms (pinworms, roundworm, nematodes), causing paralysis. Its advantage is maximum safety: it is prescribed for pregnant women and small children. The only contraindication for patients with liver disease.
The intake of most preparations for worms must be repeated after 2 weeks in order to destroy those individuals that during this time have turned from eggs and larvae into adult worms.
Alternative methods of treatment
Many people refrain from taking chemicals, preferring old folk methods to them. There are plants with anthelmintic effect, which are quite capable of helping a person get rid of nematodes that have settled in the body. These include:
- sagebrush;
- tansy flowers;
- pumpkin seeds;
- garlic and others
Wormwood is a herb that, in the form of powder, infusions and decoctions, has been successfully used to expel helminths. Wormwood infusion should be drunk three times a day before meals, while enemas with wormwood are also made. Also often used to control pests and garlic enemas.
Prevention measures against infection with nematodes
Given the ways in which nematodes enter the human body, one should adhere to such preventive measures:
- compliance with personal hygiene rules: wash more often, use individual toiletries;
- each time you return home, you should wash your hands thoroughly using soap or other disinfectants, and also do so after going to the toilet and before each meal;
- all grown or purchased vegetables, fruits and berries must be washed;
- For drinking use only clean water, you can not swim in unknown reservoirs in the summer;
- when visiting a forest or on a picnic, it is better to wear shoes;
- After tourist trips, especially to southern tropical countries, it is better to undergo a worm examination.
All of the listed folk and medical methods will help get rid of nematodes in humans in order to avoid the severe health effects that these worms may well deliver to humans.