Many of us, after the summer holidays, will think about the presence of worms (helminths).
Some people think that we must get rid of it at any cost, while others, on the contrary, think that this parasite is even very beneficial for the body.Who will tell us the truth?
Surely many of you are familiar with Rumah Dr.In one of the series there was a case when a teacher fell ill in class.The child is scared, and the doctor does not know what is wrong with him, because he is in a very serious condition.Each doctor promotes his own theory.Some thought the patient had a tumor, some thought he had inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain.The main character of the television series, Dr. House himself, solves this problem by finding the cause behind the teacher's suffering.It was the tapeworm that tormented the woman.Then the teacher was given a course of treatment with pills and he recovered.
Although this series may seem like a fantasy, the script of this series is made by real professionals.Real cases of worm infections are also similar to myths, but, unfortunately, the consequences are not always correctable as in the case of this series.How do we know if we are infected or not?Are we in danger or not?
About prevention against worms
People, when they hear about various magical remedies to destroy this parasite, forget everything just to get rid of it.
We have developed such a strong aversion to these animals that when we think about them, we feel sick.We are ready to test ourselves with the most "abnormal" drugs, drink all kinds of dubious herbs and even do enemas with garlic.
It is very important not to overdo it with any medicine and stop on time.In the case of parasitic diseases, everyone should be careful in choosing medicine for helminths because without taking the right medicine, we can also complicate the situation.Do not take anything for treatment!It is very important to know what you are struggling with, what medicine helps, the optimal dosage and what contraindications it has.So it can be a whole detective story in the fight against parasites.
There are more than 300,000 known species of helminths on our planet that affect vertebrates.There are 300 species of helminths observed in humans (according to other sources, more than 12,000 species).So it will not work to be treated with anything.At least it's good that most of them are in the tropics.But only if we do not take such "tourists" from tropical countries where we like to vacation (Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
Each 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 on Earth?
Schistosomes
Africa and Asia are famous for their schistosomes.And you can get infected easily if you swim in local freshwater bodies or drink water from local sources.Schistosomes mainly enter the body through the genitourinary organs.
How to avoid schistosome infection?
If you do not swim in fresh water and wash only with boiled water, in principle, you can avoid this.
Filaria and elephantiasis (filariasis)
You can also "get acquainted" with filariae during vacations to the islands of Fiji, Mozambique, Goa, Tahiti, and even in Egypt.The main carrier of this parasite is the mosquito (native mosquito).
Filaria is dangerous because it causes filariasis (elephantiasis), which affects the lymph nodes and is very difficult to treat.
Mosquitoes are also dangerous because they can be carriers of leishmaniasis (caused by Leishmania) and malaria.Leishmaniasis affects the mucous membranes and skin.
How to prevent filarial infection?
The main rule is not to let mosquitoes approach you, let alone bite.Use special curtains, repellants and mosquito nets.
When in the tropics, avoid running or walking barefoot on local trails or sandy beaches.The fact is that in this way you can catch other types of parasites.In the "harmless" sand, various parasitic larvae are often hidden, which can quickly penetrate the body even through the skin of the feet!So sometimes after returning from a trip you can find some kind of larva under the skin.Just like in some horror movies!
How to avoid infection with the parasite?Walk only in shoes and it is not recommended to lie on sand or grass without a mat.
Fluke
The most dangerous food is raw fish, as well as uncooked fish.
Fluke is one of the many parasites that can be found in raw fish in:
- China;
- Japan.
After trying such a piece of fish (meaning infected), after 1/2 - 1 month you can feel an unpleasant feeling in the liver area, as well as a rash.
Flukes aren't the only ones sent this way.Many worms are waiting for the next owner to bite the raw fish.Fans of caviar, sushi, salted and dried fish are also at risk of fluke infection.
How to avoid fluke infection?
First of all, exclude any exotic dishes made from raw fish from the menu.If you still can't resist eating such dishes, at least eat only in good and certified restaurants.
If you buy raw fish in the market or from strangers, you definitely need to cook it, otherwise you are taking a risk.
Trichinella and trichinosis
What do you think, that there are still no other worms?Make no mistake, we find it in other famous products.
Europeans love rare steaks.And here lies another danger - trichinosis.
Other helminths cannot be compared to this, because Trichinella is one of the most dangerous!They can settle in muscle tissue and lead to death.
In addition to trichinella, such European dishes can "give" other parasites: pork and beef tapeworms.
How to avoid trichinosis and tapeworm infection?
Eat well-cooked meat dishes and only in good restaurants.
Roundworms and pinworms
Although we eat vegetables and fruits, we have to think about the fact that another threat of infection appears: roundworms and pinworms.That's why mom taught us to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.Most often, the threat comes from herbs (green), which are brought to us from the southern regions.
How to prevent infection with roundworms and pinworms?
If you buy vegetables at the market, make sure you wash them well.First, leave the grass in the water for an hour so that the helminth eggs on the leaves sink to the bottom of the vessel, and then rinse each leaf separately.Like this!
Positive aspects of worms
I think the thought of such "pets" running around is not very warm.But let's be optimistic, because life is beautiful.
The microcosm around us is filled with various surprises:
- bacteria,
- viruses,
- parasites.
But we contain a whole kilogram of such biomass and there is nothing pathological about it.We are not created to live in a completely sterile environment, we will simply die there.
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 don't want to call animal helminths useful for humans, but there are some that are safe (intestinal parasites) and especially dangerous (parasites that live in other organs: lungs, liver, eyes, and even in the brain!).In the second case, everyone thinks about how to recover quickly, because the problem is very serious.
It happens that helminths leave the body of the owner, even if he does not know about their existence in his body.
For example, you can get rid of worms using a head of garlic or thanks to hormonal changes (in the case of pregnant women), anything is possible.If you decide to rebel against these parasites, not knowing what you're up against may anger them.Therefore, they can complicate the situation by penetrating the bile duct and causing a liver abscess.So, keep in mind, regular prevention doesn't always help!It is better to undergo tests in the hospital for the presence of helminths.
Symptoms of worm infection
What to do?Worms surround us everywhere and, thus, we can easily become infected;it is not recommended to treat them without a diagnosis, and diagnostics to identify helminths is not the easiest task.Worms are very good at masquerading as other diseases.
And what is most interesting: the bigger the helminth (there are giants that reach up to 10 meters), the calmer it behaves.So, analyzing only a few symptoms does not always result in a correct diagnosis.This cannot be done without an examination by a parasitologist.
Of course, no one will help you better than a doctor.Here are some cases where you need to undergo a test:
- during a recent vacation to another part of the world, you ate a variety of dubious local foods, swam in a non-chlorinated hotel pool, walked barefoot on the beach, lay naked on the sand, grass, touched local dogs and cats;
- you experience high fever, itching, redness, itching, rashes on the body, chills, bloating and abdominal pain.
If you know your condition, then you need to see a parasitologist.
Personal hygiene rules to avoid getting infected with worms
Food
- Let's start with the fact that in exotic countries you can only drink bottled water.
- Fruits, although they look very appetizing, must be peeled or boiled.In any case it is not recommended to use it in its simple form.
- Another questionable product is
- uncooked meat;
- raw fish (any form, even sea fish).
- Freshly squeezed juice is also prohibited.Fruits for juice do not always go through a thorough washing process.
Avoid eating such products.
Beach
Don't risk walking barefoot on sand, grass or trails in exotic countries.Please use sunbeds and slippers.
Swimming
Swimming is prohibited in freshwater bodies of India, Central Africa, and South America.There are so many parasites there that the movie "Alien" looks like a children's fairy tale in comparison.
mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or mosquitoes) are very dangerous parasites because they are serious carriers of many infections and helminths.
Avoid direct contact with them.
You need to use repellent, wear long sleeves, and sleep under a canopy.
Underwear
It is absolutely forbidden to dry clothes in exotic countries.
The problem is that flies from tropical countries like to lay their eggs on it, and when you wear swimming trunks, the larvae will hatch which can cause dermatitis.
Where can the test be done to detect worms?
Do the test only in specialized government clinics.It is not recommended to perform such tests at the institution in question.
One of the reasons not to contact such a clinic is the fact that they can find anything you want even if you don't have anything.
Yes, yes, to attract you, they may prescribe an unnecessary course of treatment.They will tell you that modern universal diagnostics see everything, even though standard tests see nothing.Do not believe scammers, and do not hesitate to go to a standard government clinic.
Now let's talk about the so-called universal diagnostics.In such matters as the detection of helminths, this is not possible.
If they are in the bladder, then you need to give urine, if in the intestine, then feces, if in the muscle mass, then you need to do a muscle X-ray, if in the liver, then ultrasound.
What do you think?A positive result of such a test can only warn people so that they can be thrown out quickly.Take only the drugs recommended by the parasitologist, because accuracy and precision are very important in this matter.
What should you remember about helminths?
In theory, you can get infected with helminths almost anywhere - in the city, on vacation, in a tropical country, in the forest.But as statistics say, even in such cases, not everyone is infected with them.Those who follow basic hygiene rules, as a rule, reduce the risk of infection.
- The main thing is not to panic and not take any medicine for prevention, because there is no universal medicine for worms.Even tablets for worms have their own classification according to different forms of helminths.It turns out that some tablets help with some parasites, while others do not.The doctor is the best person to determine your diagnosis and prescribe the right pill.If you take care of your pets (cats and dogs) regularly prescribe anthelmintic drugs, and if none of the symptoms mentioned above bother you, then you do not need to worry.
- If you have doubts about this issue, go to the doctor.Don't forget to tell us what you ate and where you were.
- As I said before, the test should be taken only in a good specialized clinic.In a bad clinic, you can spend a lot of money, but you will not get treatment.
- Any medicine taken for prevention can only cause harm.Do not use it "just for prevention", otherwise you can destroy the intestinal flora and even "get" toxic hepatitis.Echinococcosis is very dangerous and that is why doing something like this yourself can explode the cyst where the larvae are.This can be fatal.
- If you are recommended "some supplement for worms" at "some clinic," this does not mean you will get better.Many of these products contain toxins that can cause allergies, and you may not get any effect.
The most common myths about helminths
Marine fish do not contain parasites
Who told you this?Most of the worms contained fish that did not undergo the necessary treatment or that, after being caught, were not immediately cleaned before freezing.This is how the chances of getting infected increase.
Dogs can be more susceptible to worms than cats.
Naturally dogs have such a habit of touching the feces of their relatives.The most dangerous helminths that can be "taken" from dogs are echinococci - very dangerous parasites of the liver and lungs.For prevention, prescribe a course of treatment to animals 4 times a year.So dogs can be more dangerous in this regard, than cats.
Only children can be infected with worms
Do you believe?This may appear simply because children are less careful, wash their hands less often, and sometimes do not follow hygiene rules.So hygiene rules are important for everyone!
A person infected with worms can infect others
Of course it is true.Being near such a "patient" you are taking a risk, but you may not know it.So after shaking hands, wash your hands just in case.You can easily get infected with pinworms (enterobiasis), because they are the most common helminths.Also, often dirty children can infect their parents, so teach your child to follow the rules of hygiene.