29.03.2024

How are worms harmful to humans

Worms is parasitic worms harmful to humans and animals, causing helminthiasis. They mainly settle in the intestine, but certain species can affect other organs (liver, brain, etc.), presenting a serious risk.

About 95 % of adults infected with worms. Parasites are dangerous to the human body, so you should take care early detection of helminth infections and related prevention measures.

The worms feed on host tissues and nutrients that are found in the host organism. Especially dangerous are worms in the larval stage of development. They can be transported with the bloodstream throughout the body.

The danger of worms

The danger of worms to humans is:

  • mechanical effects on the bowel wall, leading to ulcers, colitis, bleeding − during massive infestations, the worms can reduce the amount of iron in the human body as a result of significant blood loss;
  • the formation of cysts in the liver, lungs, brain and other organs;
  • intestinal obstruction – a large number of worms can clog the intestine;
  • decreased immunity and, consequently, a high probability of infection with other diseases (depression is the activity of immunoglobulin A);
  • the lack of vitamins and other nutrients (worms suck their body surface);
  • digestive disorders.

Statistics confirm that more than 1.2 billion people infected with helminths. 9 out of 10 people there is a risk of becoming a host for the parasite. According to experts there are more than 250 species of worms, can affect humans and cause helminthiasis. This round, tapeworms, flukes. Some of them reach up to 15 meters in length.

In the impact of worms on the human body following symptoms occur:

1. allergic reaction in form of urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma (worms poison the human body with toxins) signs of parasitism of the worm are swelling of the throat and extremities, increased lacrimation of the eyes, increases the number of leukocytes in the blood;

2. constipation, diarrhea – usually in the localization of worms in the intestines, bile ducts, liver occurs constipation, diarrhea is a sign of the liberation of the body from toxic substances;

3. bloating – some species are parasitic in the upper part of the intestine, which leads to increased flatulence;

4. anemia is decreased level of hemoglobin in the blood;

5. nervousness and irritability that occur without reason;

6. sleep disturbance – the infected person often wakes up at night, and sometimes can not sleep;

7. fatigue caused by lack of nutrients, in the case of persistent infestation, this symptom may go into fatigue and end depression;

8. cough, runny nose – acts as an allergic reactions;

9. the fever – occurs rarely;

10. itching around the anus (this symptom is especially pronounced at night when worms move towards the exit, to lay eggs);

11. headache – is a consequence of the toxic effects of the parasites and reduce the amount of nutrients;

12. rapid weight loss – as a consequence of lack of nutrients, which the worms absorb from the human body;

13. appearance of vesicles on the oral mucosa, often develop inflammatory processes;

14. gnashing of teeth during sleep – this symptom scientists have questioned, since his connection with the defeat of the human body helminths is not fully proven.

Sometimes a symptom of worms is increased urination at night. The symptoms depend on the degree of invasion and localization of the parasites. Some types affect all systems and organs. They often hide under the clinical picture of other diseases, complicating the diagnosis.

Ways of infection

Infection is as follows:

  • through dirty hands (the main cause of infection in children);
  • insect bites (certain types of worms);
  • when used in food meat, have not undergone sufficient heat treatment, unwashed vegetables, berries, fruits;
  • in the use of raw water.

Ways of transmission of intestinal worms depend on the species. At risk are children in contact with animals. At an early age the risk of infection is higher due to lack of hygiene.

The most common way of transmission of helminth infections is oral-fecal. Vectors of diseases are insects, particularly flies. They are in contact with the feces of animals and then sit on the food that person eats.

Proved to be infected with a bot people can not only from animals but also from each other. For example, the female pinworms lay eggs on the underwear. Because this process is accompanied by severe itching, people unconsciously scratching this place. He then contacts the household items that come to other people.

Dangerous cat worms?

Cat worms are dangerous for humans. And the probability of infection is not only children who actively communicate with animals. There have been many instances when I found cat worms in an adult (dangerous for humans tapeworm, Siberian Fluke and others).

When injected larvae in the body of a cat, the parasites develop into Mature individuals. Then they lay their eggs, and the animal carries them on its fur when it licks. The danger to humans occurs through contact with an infected pet. Infected cats can, without leaving your home. The worms ‘ eggs often brings shoes the man himself. Worms are in the body of a cat and eating raw fish or meat.

Cat parasite entering the human body, constitute a serious danger. The worms are attached not only to the walls of the intestine, certain types settle in other organs, including the brain. They violate the whole body, a mass infestation may result in death.

Prevention of worms

The main events are reduced to the observance of rules of hygiene:

  • regular hand washing with soap after walking to the toilet, before eating;
  • thermal treatment of meat and fish;
  • refusal to drink tap water and swim in unknown waters;
  • wash vegetables and fruits before consumption.

Annual checkups in order to detect the worms and begin treatment at an early stage of the disease.

Preventive measures consist in the use of drugs:

  • Pyrantel from ascariasis, pinworms and other helminths, acts only on worms, salasaca in the intestine;
  • Vermoxum – in mixed infestations, and when enterobioze;
  • Dekaris – helps to get rid of ascariasis and other helminth infections;
  • Albendazole is used for the hookworm and necatoroz.

Among the folk remedies for the prevention of worms is to celebrate pumpkin seeds, garlic, wormwood, onion tincture. They are less dangerous, but not as effective as medication.

The danger lies in the fact that parasites can live in humans and animals over the years, does not prove itself. Given the asymptomatic course of the disease, treatment is often delayed. If a person found worms, it needs to treat treatment seriously. Parasites are dangerous, they violate the whole body. If you leave the presence of worms in the body unattended, this can lead to different complications and negative consequences.

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