What are threadworms. How do threadworms spread. What are the symptoms of threadworms. How to treat threadworms effectively. When to seek medical advice for threadworms. How to prevent threadworm infections. What complications can arise from severe threadworm infections.

Understanding Threadworms: A Common Parasitic Infection

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that infect the large intestine of humans. These white, thread-like worms are particularly common in children under 10 years old in the UK. While often asymptomatic, threadworms can cause significant discomfort and should be treated promptly to prevent spread and complications.

Identifying Threadworms

Threadworms are visually distinctive:

• White in color
• Thread-like appearance
• Typically 2-13 mm in length
• Often visible around the anus or in feces

Recognizing the Symptoms of Threadworm Infection

While threadworms don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, there are several signs to watch for:

• Intense itching around the anus or vagina, especially at night
• Disturbed sleep due to discomfort
• Irritability in children
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss in severe cases

Can threadworms cause complications? In rare instances, severe or persistent threadworm infections may lead to:

• Skin infections around the anus from scratching
• Urinary tract infections
• Insomnia
• Bedwetting in children

The Lifecycle and Transmission of Threadworms

Understanding how threadworms spread is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. The lifecycle of threadworms follows a specific pattern:

1. Female worms lay eggs around the anus, typically at night
2. Eggs are accompanied by an itchy mucus secretion
3. Scratching transfers eggs to fingers and surfaces
4. Eggs can survive up to 2 weeks before hatching
5. Ingested eggs hatch in the intestine
6. Worms mature and reproduce within 2 weeks

How long can threadworm eggs survive outside the body? Threadworm eggs can remain viable for up to two weeks in the environment, contributing to their easy spread within households and communities.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Threadworm Infections

Treating threadworms requires a multi-faceted approach, combining medication with strict hygiene practices:

Medication

The primary treatment for threadworms is mebendazole, an anthelmintic medication. How is mebendazole administered?

• Single dose for most individuals
• Repeat dose after 2 weeks if necessary
• All household members should be treated simultaneously

Hygiene Measures

Alongside medication, implementing rigorous hygiene practices is essential:

• Wash hands thoroughly, especially after using the toilet and before eating
• Keep fingernails short and clean
• Avoid scratching the anal area
• Wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching during sleep
• Change and wash bedding, sleepwear, and towels frequently
• Vacuum and clean living spaces regularly

Special Considerations for Pregnant Women and Young Children

Treatment approaches may differ for certain groups:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should focus on hygiene measures and consult a healthcare provider before using medication
• Children under 2 years old require specialized treatment plans
• In these cases, hygiene measures may be recommended without medication

Preventing Threadworm Infections: Key Strategies

While complete prevention of threadworm infections is challenging, several strategies can significantly reduce the risk:

• Maintain good personal hygiene
• Encourage regular handwashing, especially in children
• Keep fingernails short and clean
• Avoid nail-biting and finger-sucking
• Regularly clean and vacuum living spaces
• Wash bedding, sleepwear, and towels frequently in hot water
• Educate family members about proper hygiene practices

How effective are these prevention strategies? When consistently applied, these measures can significantly reduce the risk of threadworm infections and prevent their spread within households and communities.

When to Seek Professional Medical Advice

While many threadworm infections can be treated at home, certain situations warrant professional medical attention:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Children under 2 years old
• Persistent or severe infections
• Signs of complications (e.g., significant weight loss, severe insomnia)
• Suspected spread to other organs

What services are available for threadworm treatment? In Scotland, the Pharmacy First program allows individuals to receive advice and treatment for threadworms directly from a pharmacy without a prescription, making care more accessible.

Long-term Management and Follow-up Care

After initial treatment, ongoing management is crucial to prevent reinfection and ensure complete eradication of threadworms:

• Continue hygiene measures for several weeks post-treatment
• Monitor for recurring symptoms
• Consider follow-up treatments if symptoms persist
• Educate family members about prevention strategies
• Regularly inspect for signs of reinfestation

How long should preventive measures be maintained after treatment? It’s advisable to continue strict hygiene practices for at least 4-6 weeks after treatment to break the lifecycle of any remaining worms and prevent reinfestation.

The Importance of Comprehensive Treatment

Treating threadworm infections requires a holistic approach that extends beyond the infected individual. Why is it crucial to treat all household members?

• Asymptomatic carriers can spread the infection
• Eggs can survive in the environment for up to two weeks
• Reinfection is common if not all potential carriers are treated

Understanding the Impact of Threadworms on Quality of Life

While often considered a minor infection, threadworms can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life:

• Sleep disturbances due to nighttime itching
• Embarrassment and social anxiety, particularly in school-aged children
• Potential for reduced academic or work performance due to discomfort and lack of sleep
• Stress within families dealing with recurring infections

How can parents support children with threadworm infections? Parents can play a crucial role by:

• Maintaining a calm and matter-of-fact approach to treatment
• Ensuring privacy and discretion to minimize embarrassment
• Encouraging open communication about symptoms
• Reinforcing good hygiene habits without inducing anxiety

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions About Threadworms

Several misconceptions surround threadworm infections, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety or ineffective treatment approaches:

Common Myths

• Myth: Threadworms only affect children
• Fact: While more common in children, adults can also be infected
• Myth: Threadworms are a sign of poor hygiene
• Fact: Even individuals with good hygiene can contract threadworms
• Myth: You can see threadworms in food
• Fact: Threadworms are too small to be visible in food; infection occurs through ingestion of microscopic eggs

Do pets contribute to threadworm infections in humans? Contrary to popular belief, threadworms are specific to humans and do not infect pets. However, other types of worms can affect both humans and animals, highlighting the importance of regular veterinary care for pets.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Threadworm Management

While current treatments for threadworms are generally effective, ongoing research continues to explore new avenues for prevention and management:

• Development of longer-acting anthelmintic medications
• Investigation of natural remedies and their efficacy
• Studies on environmental control measures to reduce egg survival
• Research into the gut microbiome’s role in susceptibility to parasitic infections

What potential advancements are on the horizon for threadworm treatment? Future developments may include:

• More targeted medications with fewer side effects
• Improved diagnostic tools for early detection
• Novel preventive strategies based on microbiome research
• Enhanced public health initiatives for community-wide prevention

Global Perspective: Threadworms in Different Populations

While threadworm infections are common worldwide, their prevalence and impact can vary significantly across different populations and regions:

• Higher prevalence in areas with limited access to sanitation
• Variations in treatment approaches based on local healthcare systems
• Cultural differences in hygiene practices affecting transmission rates
• Socioeconomic factors influencing access to treatment and prevention resources

How do global efforts address threadworm infections? International health organizations work to:

• Improve access to clean water and sanitation
• Provide education on hygiene and prevention
• Support research into more effective and accessible treatments
• Implement community-wide deworming programs in high-risk areas

The Role of Education in Threadworm Prevention and Management

Education plays a crucial role in both preventing threadworm infections and ensuring effective treatment:

Key Educational Initiatives

• School-based hygiene programs
• Public health campaigns raising awareness about symptoms and treatment
• Training for healthcare providers on current best practices
• Community workshops on household hygiene and prevention strategies

How can educational efforts be tailored to different age groups? Age-appropriate education is essential:

• For children: Interactive lessons on hand hygiene and avoiding contamination
• For adolescents: Understanding the biology of parasites and personal responsibility in prevention
• For adults: Comprehensive information on treatment options and household management
• For seniors: Addressing age-specific risk factors and prevention strategies

Psychological Aspects of Dealing with Threadworm Infections

The psychological impact of threadworm infections, particularly recurring cases, can be significant:

• Anxiety about reinfection or spreading the infection to others
• Stigma associated with parasitic infections
• Frustration with persistent symptoms or treatment failure
• Impact on body image and self-esteem, especially in adolescents

How can healthcare providers address the psychological aspects of threadworm infections?

• Provide reassurance about the common nature of the infection
• Offer clear, non-judgmental information about treatment and prevention
• Acknowledge and validate patients’ concerns and frustrations
• Refer to mental health support if anxiety or distress is significant

Integrating Threadworm Prevention into Public Health Strategies

Effective management of threadworm infections at a population level requires integration into broader public health strategies:

Key Components of Public Health Approaches

• Regular screening programs in schools and childcare facilities
• Incorporation of threadworm prevention into general hygiene education
• Collaboration between healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations
• Monitoring and surveillance of infection rates to guide interventions

What role do policy makers play in threadworm prevention? Policy makers can contribute by:

• Allocating resources for public health initiatives focused on parasitic infections
• Implementing guidelines for hygiene standards in public facilities
• Supporting research into more effective prevention and treatment strategies
• Ensuring affordable access to anthelmintic medications

The Economic Impact of Threadworm Infections

While often overlooked, threadworm infections can have significant economic implications:

• Healthcare costs associated with diagnosis and treatment
• Lost productivity due to illness and discomfort
• Expenses related to household hygiene measures
• Costs of public health initiatives for prevention and control

How can understanding the economic impact inform policy decisions? By quantifying the economic burden of threadworm infections, policymakers can:

• Justify investment in prevention and treatment programs
• Allocate resources more effectively to high-impact interventions
• Develop cost-effective strategies for managing infections at a population level
• Emphasize the importance of prevention in reducing overall healthcare costs

Technological Innovations in Threadworm Detection and Treatment

Advancements in technology are opening new avenues for managing threadworm infections:

Emerging Technologies

• DNA-based diagnostic tests for more accurate detection
• Smartphone apps for tracking symptoms and treatment adherence
• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for improved medication efficacy
• AI-powered analysis of population data to predict outbreaks

How might these technologies transform threadworm management in the future? Potential impacts include:

• Faster, more accurate diagnoses leading to earlier treatment
• Personalized treatment plans based on individual infection patterns
• Improved public health responses through predictive modeling
• Enhanced patient engagement and treatment compliance through digital tools

In conclusion, while threadworm infections remain a common health concern, particularly among children, comprehensive understanding and management strategies offer effective solutions. By combining medical treatment with rigorous hygiene practices, public health initiatives, and emerging technologies, we can significantly reduce the impact of threadworms on individuals and communities. Continued research, education, and policy development will be crucial in further improving our ability to prevent and treat these parasitic infections efficiently.

Threadworms – Illnesses & conditions

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1. 1.

   About threadworms

2. 2.

   Symptoms of threadworms

3. 3.

   Causes of threadworms

4. 4.

   Treating threadworms

About threadworms

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that infect the large intestine of humans.

Threadworms are a common type of worm infection in the UK, particularly in children under the age of 10.

The worms are white and look like small pieces of thread. You may notice them around your child’s bottom or in their poo.

They don’t always cause symptoms, but people often experience itchiness around their bottom or vagina. It can be worse at night and disturb sleep.

Read more about the symptoms of threadworms.

When to seek professional advice

Pharmacy First Scotland: Threadworm treatment from your pharmacy

If you have threadworms you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Find your local pharmacy on Scotland’s Service Directory.

Search for a pharmacy near you

If you think you or your child may have threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with medication available at pharmacies without a prescription.

You only need to see your GP if you think you have threadworms and you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think your child has threadworms and they’re under 2 years old. In these circumstances, the recommended treatment is usually different.

Severe or persistent threadworm infections can cause:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• skin infection around the anus if bacteria enter any scratches caused by itching – wearing cotton gloves while sleeping may help prevent this
• difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
• bedwetting

In such cases, you should seek further advice from your GP. In very rare cases, threadworms can spread outside the intestine to the urinary tract or liver, or the vagina or womb in girls or women.

How threadworms are spread

Threadworms lay their eggs around an infected person’s anus (bottom), usually at night. Along with the eggs, the worm also secretes a mucus that causes itching.

If the eggs get stuck on the person’s fingertips when they scratch, they can be transferred to their mouth or on to surfaces and clothes. If other people touch an infected surface, they can then transfer the eggs to their mouth.

Threadworm eggs can survive for up to 2 weeks before hatching. If the eggs hatch around the anus, the newborn worms can re-enter the bowel. Eggs that have been swallowed will hatch inside the intestine. After 2 weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce, starting the cycle again.

Read more about what causes threadworms.

Treating threadworms

If you or your child has threadworms, everyone in your household will need to be treated as there’s a high risk of the infection spreading. This includes those who don’t have any symptoms of an infection.

For most people, treatment will involve taking a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. If necessary, another dose can be taken after 2 weeks.

During treatment and for a few weeks afterwards, it’s also important to follow strict hygiene measures to avoid spreading the threadworm eggs. This includes regularly vacuuming your house and thoroughly washing your bathroom and kitchen.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, hygiene measures are usually recommended without medication. This is also often the case for young children. 

Read more about treating threadworm infections.

Preventing threadworms

It’s not always possible to prevent a threadworm infection, but you can significantly reduce your risk by always maintaining good hygiene and encouraging children to do the same.

Children should wash their hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet and before mealtimes. Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be kept clean.  

If your child is infected, encouraging them not to scratch the affected area around their anus or vagina will help prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of the infection spreading to others.

Symptoms of threadworms

Threadworms often go unnoticed by people who have them.

However, they can cause intense itching around the anus (and the vagina in girls), particularly at night when the female worms are laying eggs. This can disturb sleep.

In some cases, you may spot threadworms on your bed clothes or sheets at night, or you may notice them in your stools. The worms look like threads of white cotton and are about 1 centimetre long.

Causes of threadworms

A threadworm infection is passed from person to person by swallowing threadworm eggs.

A female threadworm can lay thousands of tiny eggs around the anus or vagina. The female threadworm also releases mucus, which can cause an itchy bottom.

Scratching the anus or vagina, or wiping them after going to the toilet, can cause the eggs to stick to your fingertips or under your fingernails.

If you don’t wash your hands, the eggs can be transferred to your mouth or on to food or objects, such as toys and kitchen utensils. If someone else touches a contaminated object, or eats contaminated food and then touches their mouth, they’ll become infected.

After the eggs have been swallowed they pass into a person’s intestine, where they hatch. After about 2  weeks the threadworms will have grown into adults, at which point they’ll reproduce and the cycle of infection will start again.

Transferring eggs

Threadworm eggs can be transferred from your anus (or vagina) to anything you touch, including:

• bed sheets and bed clothes
• flannels and towels
• children’s toys
• kitchen utensils
• toothbrushes
• furniture
• kitchen or bathroom surfaces

Threadworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks.

As well as being swallowed by a person who touches a contaminated object or surface, threadworm eggs can also be swallowed after being breathed in. This can happen if the eggs become airborne – for example, after shaking a contaminated towel or bed sheet.

Animals and pets

Threadworms only infect humans and aren’t spread in animal faeces. However, there’s a small risk that threadworms can be caught from pets if the animal’s fur becomes contaminated with eggs after an infected person strokes it. If another person then touches the animal’s fur, the eggs could be passed on to them.

Who’s at risk?

Threadworm infections most commonly affect young children because they often forget to wash their hands and they share toys with other children.

People who are in close contact with someone with a threadworm infection also have a high risk of infection. This is why all members of a household need to be treated when someone has a threadworm infection.

Read more about treating threadworms.

Treating threadworms

To treat threadworms successfully, all household members must be treated, even if they don’t have any symptoms. This is because the risk of the infection spreading is very high.

The aim of treatment is to get rid of the threadworms and prevent reinfection. This will usually involve a combination of medication to kill the worms and strict hygiene measures to stop the spread of the eggs.

The main medication used to treat threadworms is available from your local pharmacy without a prescription. However, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as it isn’t suitable for everyone.

Medication

Mebendazole is the main medication used to treat threadworm infections. It can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy or prescribed by your GP. It’s available as a chewable tablet or a liquid.

Mebendazole works by preventing the threadworms absorbing sugar, which means they should die within a few days.

This medication is 90-100% effective at killing the threadworms, but it doesn’t kill the eggs. This is why the hygiene measures outlined below should also be followed for 6 weeks.

Visit your pharmacist if the infection continues two weeks after treatment. They may recommend a second dose of medication.

In rare cases, mebendazole can cause abdominal pain or diarrhoea, particularly if the threadworm infection is severe.

Hygiene measures

Strict hygiene measures can help clear up a threadworm infection and reduce the likelihood of reinfection.

The lifespan of threadworms is approximately 6 weeks, so it’s important that hygiene measures are followed for at least this length of time. Everyone in the household must follow the advice outlined below.

• wash all night clothes, bed linen, towels and soft toys when you’re first diagnosed – this can be done at normal temperatures, but make sure the washing is well rinsed
• thoroughly vacuum and dust the whole house, paying particular attention to the bedrooms – this should be repeated regularly
• carefully clean the bathroom and kitchen by damp-dusting surfaces and washing the cloth frequently in hot water – this should be repeated regularly
• avoid shaking any material that may be contaminated with eggs, such as clothing or bed sheets – this will prevent eggs being transferred to other surfaces
• don’t eat food in the bedroom – you may end up swallowing eggs that have been shaken off the bedclothes
• keep your fingernails short – encourage other members of your household to do the same
• discourage nail-biting and sucking fingers – in particular, make sure children don’t suck their thumb
• wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails – it’s particularly important to do this before eating, after going to the toilet, and before and after changing your baby’s nappy
• wear close-fitting underwear at night and change your underwear every morning
• bathe or shower regularly – it’s particularly important to bathe or shower first thing in the morning: make sure you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs
• ensure everyone in your household has their own face flannel and towel – don’t share towels
• keep toothbrushes in a closed cupboard and rinse them thoroughly before use

Children can easily pick up another threadworm infection from friends or at school, so maintaining good hygiene may help prevent reinfection.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Medication isn’t usually recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Instead, you should follow the hygiene measures above.

See your GP if you’re more than 3 months pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding and you continue to experience problems after only taking hygiene measures. In certain circumstances, your GP may consider prescribing medication.

Children under 2 years old

Make sure you wash your baby’s bottom gently but thoroughly every time you change their nappy. Also wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing their nappy.

Mebendazole isn’t licensed for use in children under 2 years of age, but GPs may decide to prescribe it off-label for children over 6 months.

If medication isn’t used, the hygiene measures outlined above are recommended instead.

Threadworms – NHS

Threadworms (pinworms) are tiny worms in your poo. They’re common in children and spread easily. You can treat them without seeing a GP.

Check if it’s threadworms

You can spot worms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread.

You might also see them around your child’s bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.

See what threadworms look like in poo

Credit:

Vaio1488 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Other symptoms can include:

• extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night
• irritability and waking up during the night

Less common signs of worms include:

• weight loss
• wetting the bed
• irritated skin around the anus

A pharmacist can help with threadworms

You can buy medicine (mebendazole) for threadworms from pharmacies. This is usually a chewable tablet or liquid you swallow.

Treat everyone in your household, even if they do not have symptoms.

Tell the pharmacist if you need to treat a child under 2, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Treatment might not be suitable and you may need to speak to a GP.

Things you should do at home

Medicine kills the threadworms, but it does not kill the eggs. Eggs can live for up to 2 weeks outside the body.

There are things you can do to stop becoming infected again.

Do

• wash hands and scrub under fingernails – particularly before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies

• encourage children to wash hands regularly

• bathe or shower every morning

• rinse toothbrushes before using them

• keep fingernails short

• wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at a hot temperature)

• disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces

• vacuum and dust with a damp cloth

• make sure children wear underwear at night – change it in the morning

Don’t

• do not shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other surfaces

• do not share towels or flannels

• do not bite nails or suck thumbs and fingers

Important:
Nursery, school and work

If you or your child has threadworms there’s no need to stay off nursery, school or work.

How threadworms spread

Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your bottom (anus), which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch. They can then pass on to anything you touch, including:

• clothes
• toys
• toothbrushes
• kitchen or bathroom surfaces
• bedding
• food
• pets

Eggs can pass to other people when they touch these surfaces and then touch their mouth. They take around 2 weeks to hatch.

Children can get threadworms again after they’ve been treated for them if they get the eggs in their mouth. This is why it’s important to encourage children to wash their hands regularly.

Page last reviewed: 26 January 2021
Next review due: 26 January 2024

Treatment of worms (helminthiasis) in adults, massage for clubfoot in Ryazan

The topic associated with the presence of worms in humans is quite delicate. The vast majority of people will not suspect infection even if its obvious symptoms are present. The fact is that there is an established stereotype: there is such a pathology as worms in children or in the homeless, outcasts and other individuals leading an asocial lifestyle. In fact, parasitologists declare with full confidence: the vast majority of people are carriers of some kind of worms, or even several of their types at the same time!

Intestinal parasites can be contracted through unwashed hands and from domestic and wild animals. Roundworms – roundworms that can reach a length of 40 centimeters or more – are most often infected through insufficiently well-washed greens and vegetables, and tapeworms – tapeworms up to 10 meters long – by eating infected meat and fish. Pinworms – the most common worms in children – are very contagious, and that is why kindergartens conduct periodic checks on pupils. If they are found, then not only treatment with tablets is necessary, but also careful treatment of the entire room; eggs of worms of this variety can remain a source of infection months after they are isolated by an infected person!

Symptoms of worms in children and adults

Signs of the presence of “settlers” in the human body do not appear immediately after the infection has occurred. This is not surprising – nature itself takes care that the carrier of the parasite is in the dark and does not take measures to expel it. However, after a certain time from the moment the parasite enters the body, the patient may experience such symptoms of worms as:

• itching in the anus;
• skin allergy;
• persistent coryza;
• cough that cannot be controlled by taking drugs directed to treat it;
• stool problems. The accumulation of balls of worms in the intestinal lumen can lead to the development of constipation, while some types of worms in children and adults, on the contrary, provoke the appearance of flatulence and painful diarrhea;
• worms in humans are the cause of a decrease in immunity, which can manifest itself, for example, through frequent colds;
• disorders of the digestive tract, provoked by the introduction of “uninvited guests” into the body, can cause “failures” in the nervous system – for example, provoke the development of bruxism, etc.

If a child has worms, the symptoms of their presence may be as follows:

• both hyperactivity and, on the contrary, lethargy and lethargy, uncharacteristic for a baby;
• profuse salivation, also during nocturnal rest;
• craving for sweets;
• dry – up to peeling – skin, as well as brittle nails and brittle hair;
• anemia;
• soreness – the baby often catches a cold – etc.

Treatment of worms: how to get rid of them?

There is a widespread misconception that there are some universal tablets for worms, which are enough to take one or two times in order to get rid of all the parasites in the body. First of all, to get rid of various varieties of intestinal worms, different medicines are used, the appointment of which should be handled by the attending physician. Treatment is not carried out on the basis of symptoms, but only after the results of the tests reveal the eggs of the worms and determine their specific variety.

It is important to understand that self-medication will not only not help to expel “uninvited guests” from the body, but it can also be dangerous! Tablets from worms are not vitamins: they contain highly toxic substances in their composition, which, if used improperly, can greatly harm a person!

Are you interested in the price of worm treatment in Ryazan in our private clinic? Give us a call and book an appointment with a therapist!

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and make an appointment by phone or through the online form.

(4912) 700-880

which doctor to contact. Treatment of helminthiases

Worms (scientific name helminths ) are worms that live inside a person. Worms are parasites, that is, organisms whose life activity is based on the exploitation of the host organism.

Helminths (worms) are the most common human parasites. According to studies, every 4th person in the world is infected with worms. On the territory of Russia, 70 species of worms are registered. They all belong to three classes: roundworms, flatworms and flukes. The most common are roundworms – mainly pinworms, roundworms and whipworms.

There are also intestinal and extraintestinal helminths. Intestinal – these are those that live in the lumen of the human intestine, and extra-intestinal (or tissue) – living in muscle tissues or organs. Worms can affect the brain, lungs, liver, lymphatic vessels.

Several types of helminths can parasitize on one person at once, and this is a fairly common situation.

Human infection with worms is called worm infestation . The term helminthiasis is also used.

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Causes of helminthiases

How does infection with worms occur?

Adult individuals inside a person lay a huge number of eggs (hundreds and thousands per day). Worm eggs are excreted from the human body along with feces. In order for a new carrier to become infected, it is necessary that the helminth eggs enter its intestines. In most cases, this happens along with eating, for example, when eating with unwashed hands or eating unwashed vegetables and fruits. Some types of helminthic invasions are geohelminthiases. In this case, the eggs of the parasite must first mature, being in the soil for some time (such are roundworms). Other varieties of worms are used to mature intermediate animal hosts. These are the tapeworms – the most famous of the flatworm parasites – bovine and porcine. Their larvae mature in the muscles of animals and enter the human body along with meat that has not undergone proper heat treatment, and already inside the person turn into an adult.

The opposite situation is also possible, when the human body is used by the helminth as an incubator for the larvae. The ultimate host of these parasites is the predator. It is assumed that the predator will catch the prey and eat the meat infected with the larvae. In this regard, a person is a dead end – the larva that has fallen into it will not turn into an adult, but the larvae of

Causes of helminthiases

worms of predators can cause us a lot of harm. In the environment of a person, two predatory animals are typical – a dog and a cat. They can become a source of infection. The eggs of the worms of these animals enter the human intestine, where larvae are hatched from them, which can then migrate throughout the body. The liver is most commonly affected. To exclude infection from pets, you should not kiss them, and a dog that can become infected with helminths while running down the street must be subjected to regular treatment for worms.

Also, worm eggs can enter our body through inhalation of dust or with a sip of water when swimming in a pond. Flies are carriers of eggs of worms.

Worms in children

Children get worms more often than adults. Small children tend to put everything in their mouths. Walking, children play on the ground and in the sandbox. They can hug and kiss strangers and stray animals. They don’t care about dirty hands.

Therefore, it is so important to try to instill hygiene habits in children as early as possible. Young children should be supervised during walks, always having water and disinfectants ready to wash their hands and wipe their faces in time. And at the first signs of helminthic invasion, you should consult a doctor.

In Moscow, such helminthiases as enterobiasis and ascariasis are most often detected.

Enterobiasis – helminthiasis caused by pinworms

Pinworms are detected more often than other helminths (in 90% of cases of infection with worms).

Pinworms are round worms of a grayish-white color, from 2 to 12 mm long. They parasitize in the intestines. Females descend along the rectum, exit the anus and lay eggs in its circumference, after which they die. In this case, the patient feels severe itching in the anus. When combing, pinworm eggs fall on the skin of the hands and under the nails. Thus, if hygiene rules are not observed, permanent self-infection is possible.

The life span of pinworms is short – 3-4 weeks. Theoretically, in order to be cured, hygiene procedures are enough – daily washing, keeping hands clean, regular change of underwear and bed linen. And after a month, pinworms should disappear. However, since they primarily infect children, it is often not possible to provide the necessary level of hygiene. Therefore, if you suspect enterobiasis, you should consult a doctor.

The main symptom of enterobiasis is itching in the anus.

More about enterobiasis>>>

Ascariasis – helminthiasis caused by roundworms

Ascariasis is diagnosed in 70% of cases of infection with helminths.

Ascaris is a roundworm, the length of which in males reaches 25 cm, and in females – 40 cm. Ascaris eggs must ripen in the ground. Ripe eggs enter the human body when eating with dirty hands or from unwashed vegetables and fruits. A larva hatches from an egg in the human intestine, but, unlike an adult, it needs air. Therefore, the larva, which at this moment has a microscopic size, penetrates the blood vessels and migrates through the body, reaching the lungs. In the lungs, the larvae grow and mature, moving through the alveoli to the bronchi, and from the bronchi to the trachea. The human body reacts to the helminth with a cough (this is a specific symptom of ascariasis). The larvae are expectorated along with sputum and are accidentally swallowed by humans. This allows the already developed larva to enter the intestine again, where the further existence of an adult takes place. The entire migration process takes about 2 weeks.

Ascaris can live in the human body for up to a year, in some cases longer. During this period, the waste products of ascaris poison the body of the “owner”, causing disruption of the digestive, nervous and reproductive systems.

Symptoms of helminthiases

The body tries to resist the penetration of worms. The first consequences of helminthic invasion are just related to the body’s immune response to the ingestion of eggs and helminth larvae. This acute stage lasts (depending on the type of parasite) from several weeks to several months. An allergic reaction can be expressed as a rash, swelling, swollen lymph nodes, cough, etc.

If all the protective barriers of the body are broken, then helminthiasis passes into the chronic stage.

Worms

The larva develops into an adult. In the case of single parasites, a person may not notice their presence, but if there are many helminths, then the consequences of their stay inside the body noticeably affect health.

Worms damage tissues by attaching to them with the help of their fixation organs (hooks, spines, etc. ), as a result of which inflammation can develop in this place.

Worms create a comfortable environment for themselves. In particular, they cause suppression of the immune system so that the body’s defense system no longer reacts to their presence. Reduced immunity becomes the reason that a person becomes susceptible to various infectious diseases.

The presence of worms in the human intestine disrupts metabolism, as the worms absorb nutrients (proteins, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates). Some types of worms secrete substances that neutralize the host’s digestive enzymes. The waste products of worms cause a change in the intestinal microflora, contributing to the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

Many types of worms are hemophages, that is, they feed on the blood of the host, contributing to the development of anemia, beriberi (worms absorb vitamin B12, which we need so much).

If the parasite does not live in the intestines, but in the tissues of some organ, then its growth causes compression and deformation of the tissues, which can lead to disruption of the functions of this organ (brain, liver, eyeball).

Suspicions of helminthiasis, in the first place, cause disruption of the digestive system and neurological disorders.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of helminthic invasion

The consequences of the presence of worms in the body are not specific and can be taken as symptoms of various diseases. A person may complain of occasional pain in the abdomen of indistinct localization, flatulence, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Appetite may increase or be completely absent. There may be stool disorders (constipation or diarrhea).

Neurological manifestations of helminthic invasion

Worm infestation is often the cause of neuropsychiatric disorders – this is the result of the presence in the blood of toxins produced by helminths. The patient may feel general weakness, emotional instability, fatigue, loss of concentration may be observed.

Methods for diagnosing helminthiases

Since the symptoms of helminthiases coincide with the signs of many other diseases, before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to make sure that the worms are really present in the body. For this purpose, various methods of laboratory diagnostics are used.

Fecal test for worm eggs

If you suspect a helminthic invasion, first of all, a stool test for worm eggs is given. For greater confidence in the absence of worms, it is recommended to do a similar analysis several times (a negative result in the case of a single analysis is not a guarantee that there are no worms). However, enterobiasis cannot be detected by fecal analysis.

More about the diagnostic method

Scraping for enterobiosis

Serological blood test

In difficult situations, additional tests are possible, in particular, a serological blood test for the presence of antigens and antibodies to a particular type of parasite.

More about the diagnostic method

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Treatment methods for helminthiases

Infection with worms should be prevented

Despite the fact that helminthiasis is a common phenomenon, it should not be treated as something normal. Worm infestation is a serious problem for the body, in some cases even death is possible. You can’t put up with worms. Infection with worms should be tried to prevent, and if it occurs, the worms must be removed.

For the treatment of helminthiases, courses of special preparations are prescribed.

If you suspect an infection with worms, you should consult a general practitioner, and if we are talking about a child, a pediatrician or family doctor. In some cases, the doctor may recommend taking anthelmintic drugs for the whole family.

Pediatricians, family doctors and therapists of the “Family Doctor” have extensive experience in identifying and treating various helminth infections. It is worth remembering that getting rid of parasites is a serious increase in our health!

Deworming

The procedure for removing worms from the body is called deworming .

Together with anthelmintic drugs, the course of treatment usually includes drugs that help eliminate and bind toxic substances produced by worms, as well as antiallergic drugs.