Many of us will think about the presence of worms (helminths) after the summer holidays.
Some people think that it is necessary to get rid of them at any cost, while others think that these parasites are very useful even for the body. Who will tell us the truth?
Undoubtedly, many of you are famous Dr. Meet the House. In one of the series, a teacher fell ill immediately in class. The children were scared and the doctors did not know what had happened to him because his condition was so serious. Each doctor promoted his theory. Some thought that the patient had a tumor, while others thought that he was suffering from inflammation of the cerebral vessels. The protagonist of the TV series, Dr. House, solves this problem by finding the culprit of the teacher's suffering. It was a ribbon that tormented the woman. Then the teacher was prescribed a course of pills, and he recovered.
Although this series looks like a fantasy, the script of this series was prepared by real professionals. The real cases of worm infections are also a myth, but unfortunately, as in the series, the results are not always correct. How do we know we are infected or not? Are we in danger or not?
About the prevention of worms
When people hear of various miraculous means to destroy these parasites, they forget everything just to get rid of them.
We have such a strong hatred for these animals that it is even worse to think about them. We are ready to test ourselves with even the most "abnormal" drugs, to drink all sorts of suspicious herbs, and even to make garlic enemas.
It is very important not to overdose on any medication and to stop on time. Care should be taken in the selection of drugs for helminths during parasitic diseases, because without proper medication, we can even aggravate the situation. Do not take anything for treatment! It is important to know what you are struggling with, what medication is helping, what dose is optimal, and what side effects you have. Thus, the fight against parasites can be a whole detective story.
More than 300, 000 species of helminths are known to affect vertebrates on our planet. Humans have 300 species of helminths (more than 12, 000 species according to other sources). So treating it with something just won't work. Although it is good that most of them are in the tropics. This is possible only if we do not take such "tourists" from the tropical countries (Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand), where we like to rest.
Every region of the world is characterized by certain worms. And everyone has a different form of entry into the body.
How many types of helminths are there in the world?
Schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes. If you swim in a local freshwater reservoir or drink water from local sources, you can easily catch them. Most schistosomes enter the body through the genitourinary system.
How to prevent infection with schistosomes?
If you do not swim in fresh water and wash yourself only with boiled water, in principle, you can avoid it.
Filaria and philanthropy (filariasis)
You can "get acquainted" with the philanthropy during your vacation in Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti, as well as in Egypt. The main carriers of these parasites are mosquitoes (local mosquitoes).
Filaria is dangerous because they cause filariasis, which affects the lymph nodes and is very difficult to treat.
Mosquitoes are also dangerous because they can be carriers of leishmaniasis (caused by leishmaniasis) and malaria. Leishmaniasis affects the mucous membranes and skin.
How to prevent infection with Filaria?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes approach you, not to bite. Use curtains, repellents and special mosquito nets.
Avoid running or walking barefoot on local roads or sandy beaches in the tropics. The fact is that this way you can catch other types of parasites. Various parasitic larvae often hide in the "harmless" sand, which can penetrate the body very quickly through the skin of the feet! So sometimes you can find some kind of larvae under the skin after returning from trips. Just like in some horror movies!
How to avoid infection with such parasites? It is not recommended to walk only in shoes and lie on the sand or grass without a mattress.
Fluke
The most dangerous food is both raw fish and uncooked fish.
It is one of the many parasites found in raw fish:
- Demon;
- Japan.
After tasting some of these fish (meaning infected) after 1/2 - 1 month, you may feel unpleasant sensations in the liver, as well as rashes.
In this way, not only the plaque is infected. Many worms are waiting for the next host to bite the raw fish. Fans of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish are also at risk of infection in a hurry.
How to prevent Fluke infection?
First of all, remove all exotic dishes from raw fish from the menu. If you still can't avoid eating such dishes, at least eat them only in good, certified restaurants.
If you buy raw fish in the market or from strangers, then you must overcook it, otherwise you run the risk.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think there are no other worms? Make no mistake, we found them in other well-known products.
Europeans love bloody steaks here. And here there is another danger - trichinosis.
Other helminths can't even be compared, because Trichinella is one of the most dangerous! They can settle in muscle tissue and cause death.
In addition to Trichinella, such a European dinner can "give" other parasites: pork and beef tapeworm.
How to prevent infection with trichinosis and tapeworm?
Eat well-prepared meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
round worms and pinworms
Even when eating vegetables and fruits, we must consider that there is another danger of infection: roundworms and pinworms. That's why our mothers taught us to wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Often the danger comes from the spicy herbs (greens) brought to us from the southern regions.
How to prevent infection with roundworms and pinworms?
If you buy greens at the market, make sure you rinse well. First, leave the grass in the water for an hour so that the helminth eggs in the leaves sink to the bottom of the vessel, and only then wash each leaf separately. Like this!
Advantages of worms
I don't think the idea of such "pets" wandering around is very hot. But let's be optimistic, because life is beautiful.
The microcosm around us is full of all sorts of surprises:
- bacteria,
- viruses,
- parasites.
And we have all the kilograms of such biomass, and there is nothing pathological in it. We are not just meant to live in a completely sterile environment where we will die.
Some of these organisms have a positive effect, because they are involved in improving immunity, the synthesis of certain vitamins, and thanks to them, digestion works differently.
I do not want to call helminths useful animals for humans, but there are safe (intestinal parasites) and especially dangerous ones (parasites that live in other organs: lungs, liver, eyes and even the brain! ). In the latter case, everyone is thinking about how quickly he will recover, because the problem is very serious.
It happens that helminths leave their owner's body, even if they are unaware of their presence.
For example, you can get rid of worms with a head of garlic, or anything is possible with hormonal changes (in the case of pregnant women). If you decide to rebel against these parasites without knowing what you are fighting against, you can irritate them. Thus, they can aggravate the condition and provoke liver abscess by penetrating the bile ducts. So keep in mind that regular prevention is not always helpful! It is better to be checked in the hospital for helminths.
Symptoms of a worm infection
How to proceed? Worms surround us everywhere, so we can be easily infected, it is not recommended to treat them without diagnosis, and the diagnosis of helminths is not an easy task. Worms, like other diseases, are very good at disguising themselves.
And the most interesting thing is this: the bigger the helminth (there are giants up to 10 meters), the quieter it behaves. Thus, it is not always possible to analyze only some symptoms to make a correct diagnosis. You can not do without a parasitologist's examination.
Of course, no one can help you better than a doctor. Here are some things you need to make sure you pass the test:
- you have recently eaten various local suspicious delicacies while on vacation in different parts of the world, swam in non-chlorinated hotel pools, walked barefoot on the beach, slept naked on sand and grass, and touched local dogs and cats;
- There is high fever, hives, redness, itching, rash, tremors, swelling and abdominal pain.
If you find out about your condition, then you should consult a parasitologist.
Personal hygiene rules to prevent worm infestation
Food
- Let's start with the fact that in exotic countries you can drink water only in bottles.
- Fruits, although very appetizing, should be peeled or boiled. In its simplest form, their use is by no means recommended.
- Other suspicious products
- uncooked meat;
- raw fish (any form, even sea).
- Freshly squeezed juices are also prohibited. Fruit juice does not always go through a thorough washing process.
Refuse to use such products.
The beach
In exotic countries, do not risk walking barefoot on the sand, grass, paths. Use sun loungers and shoes.
Bathe
It is forbidden to swim in the freshwater reservoirs of India, Central Africa and South America. There are so many parasites that even the movie "Alien" looks like a children's fairy tale.
mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or mosquitoes) are very dangerous parasites because they are serious carriers of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
It is necessary to use repellents, wear long-sleeved clothes, sleep under the attic.
canvas
In exotic countries, drying clothes in the air is strictly prohibited.
The fact is that flies from tropical countries love to lay eggs on it, and when you put on a swimming trunk, the larvae will come out of the eggs, which can cause dermatitis.
Where should tests be performed to detect worms?
Perform tests only in specialized public clinics. Suspicious institutions are not recommended to perform such tests.
One of the reasons you don't contact such clinics is that they can find everything you want, even if you don't have anything.
Yes, yes, they can prescribe unnecessary treatment courses there to shut you down. They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics sees everything, even where standard analyzes do not see anything. Do not believe in charlatans and do not hesitate to go to standard public clinics.
Now let's talk about the so-called universal diagnostics. This is not possible in a situation such as the detection of helminths.
If they are in the bladder, intestines - feces, muscle mass - then they will have to do an X-ray of the muscles, if they are in the liver - an ultrasound.
What were you thinking? Positive results of such analyzes can only warn of their elimination as soon as possible. Only take medications recommended by a parasitologist, as accuracy and precision are very important in this regard.
What to remember about helminths?
Theoretically, helminths can be infected almost anywhere - in the city, on vacation, in tropical countries, in the woods. But statistics show that even in such cases, not everyone is infected. Those who follow basic hygiene rules, as a rule, reduce the risk of infection for themselves.
- The main thing is not to take any medication to prevent panic attacks, because there are no universal remedies for worms. Even tablets for worms have their own classification according to the different forms of helminths. It has been found that some pills help some parasites and some do not. Your doctor will determine your best diagnosis and prescribe the right pills. If you take care of your pets (cats and dogs) by prescribing regular anthelmintic medications and none of the above symptoms bother you, then you don't need to worry.
- If you have any doubts about this issue, consult a doctor. Don't forget to tell us what you ate and where you are.
- As I told you before, tests should only be performed in well-specialized clinics. You can spend a lot of money in bad clinics and you will not be able to get treatment.
- Any medication taken for prevention can only cause harm. Do not use them "just for prevention", otherwise you can destroy the intestinal flora and even "gain" toxic hepatitis. Echinococcosis is very dangerous, and therefore the initiation of such a thing can explode a cyst in which the larva is located. It can be fatal.
- If "some clinics" recommend you "some worm supplements, " that doesn't mean you'll all get better. Many of these products contain toxins that can cause allergies, and you will not be able to get the effect.
The most common myths about helminths
Marine fish do not have parasites
Who told you that? Most worms contain fish that have not been properly processed or cleaned before being frozen immediately after capture. Thus, you increase your chances of infection.
Dogs can get worms more easily than cats
Indeed, dogs have a habit of tasting the feces of their relatives. The most dangerous helminths that can "take" from dogs are echinococci - very dangerous parasites of the liver and lungs. For prevention, prescribe a course of treatment to the animals 4 times a year. Thus, dogs can be more dangerous than cats.
Only children can get worms
did you believeIt may just seem that children are less precise, wash their hands less, and sometimes do not follow the rules of hygiene. So, hygiene rules are important for everyone!
A person infected with worms can infect others
Of course it is true. You take a risk by having sex with such a "patient", but you may not know it. Therefore, after shaking hands, wash your hands in case of emergency. They are especially susceptible to pinworms (enterobiasis) because they are the most common helminths. Also, dirty children can often infect their parents, so teach your children to follow the rules of hygiene.