Parasitic nematode in humans: symptoms and treatment
Nematodes in humans - a phenomenon often, because they live almost everywhere and can get into our body through food, water or dirty hands. We can not even guess about this, since they fit organically into our microecosystem.
Description
Nematodes( or roundworms) are small worms of the primary type, a group of molting. Modern science distinguishes about twenty-four thousand species of these animals, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. According to theoretical calculations, there are a million species of nematodes. Their species diversity is so great that it is almost equal to insects.
Isolate free-living nematodes and parasitic. Round worms live everywhere. In land and water, their number can be up to one million individuals per cubic meter. Those representatives of this species who preferred to become parasites can live in any multicellular organism, even in other protozoans.
In the process of their vital activity, the nematodes cause various diseases in their hosts. If this plant, then it is observed the death of the root system, damage to the fruit and the formation of galls. The most common nematodes in humans and animals are ascarids, pinworms, trichinella and hookworm. Developing and multiplying, they win their living space and "clutter up" the internal environment of the host organism, causing unpleasant symptoms.
Nematode species
All round worms have features that unite them.
- The special body shape is spindle-shaped, with bilateral symmetry. The body is not divided into segments, but outside is covered with a shell.
- Worms have a division into males and females, and not only at the level of the genitals, but also phenotypically: male individuals are longer, and their back part is twisted.
- Representatives of this species have a very simple digestive system( it is a hollow tube from one end of the body to the other).There is no respiratory system, since oxygen enters through the entire surface of the body.
- All nematodes undergo the same stages in the development process.
Nematodes in humans, animals and plants appear due to the fact that the eggs of these worms are able to maintain their viability under the most severe conditions, even where adult individuals die quickly.
existence cycle As mentioned above, all round worms have roughly the same development cycle, with some minor features.
The human being has three stages in its life in its life. The cycle begins in the stomach from the moment of fertilization of the female. It does not have suckers, so it drifts freely through the intestines until it reaches the anus. There, nematodes can creep out and remain on the skin of the buttocks and thighs.
Approximately one month after fertilization, the female lays eggs and dies. In order for the offspring to ripen, special conditions are needed - heat and high humidity. Skin folds around the perineum are suitable for this as well as possible. With a favorable coincidence, eggs are ready for the appearance of new worms in six hours.
A person feels uncomfortable and combs the skin, so the eggs are under the nail plate, and with unwashed hands get back into the intestines. Until full development in an adult, two weeks must pass. All this time they remain in the intestines of the host. In total, the life of roundworms does not exceed three months, but a person can be infected much longer, because of repeated infections.
Ways of infecting
Nematodes are dangerous to humans only if a large number of them accumulate in the body. Then they can cause intestinal obstruction, damage to the liver or lungs.
The easiest way to infect parasites is to disregard the rules of personal hygiene. Dirty hands, water, unwashed vegetables and fruits can carry adult nematodes. Therefore, it is important to carefully handle food, wash your hands with soap and do not drink water from open water. A special category consists of people who often consume raw seafood. Nematodes in fish are a danger to humans also because it is the easiest way of infection. The patient may not suspect for a long time about the disease. In addition, several species of roundworms can enter the body at the same time.
Unfortunately, even just working in the ground or swimming in the sea, a person is able to get a "pleasant" bonus in the form of a nematode. Larvae and eggs are so small that they penetrate well through intact skin, causing rash and irritation.
The last way is transmissive, that is, associated with the bite of an insect. Since nematodes can live absolutely in any living being, the danger of infection after contact with a mosquito or flea is high enough.
Symptoms of
Parasitic nematodes in humans primarily cause disruption of the digestive system, as worms, in order to gain a foothold in one place, injure the intestinal wall. Patients may experience pains that do not have obvious localization, nausea and vomiting, stools, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and even jaundice. The last two symptoms are due to the fact that nematodes overlap the lumen of the bile ducts and interfere with the normal outflow of secretions.
In addition to intestinal disorders, the symptoms of nematodes in humans are severe itching in the perianal region and perineum. This is most common for infection with pinworms. And in the case of trichinella, the first ones to hit are the muscles in which the worm multiplies.
Nematodes not only cause discomfort, but can cause allergies. This is manifested by a weakening of the defenses of the body, rashes and itching, the phenomena of intoxication due to poisoning by the products of vital activity of worms increase. In some cases, people even went crazy because of the subjective sensations of the existence of living organisms in their body.
Diagnostics of
In order to establish the presence of a nematode in a person, the photo is clearly not enough, although scientists say that absolutely all people have parasite infestation. I want to believe that this is not so.
Therefore, if there is a suspicion that you own the body, do not you alone, it is necessary to consult a doctor and take tests. First of all, this study of feces on eggs of worms. And it is necessary to do it not one, but three times, for greater reliability.
In addition, the patient is required to take a blood test, which in case of a positive diagnosis will show eosinophilia. And, if desired, you can examine the presence of specific antibodies and antigens that point to a particular pathogen.
If parasite infestation has occurred in muscles or organs, then it makes sense to do a biopsy, ultrasound of the abdomen, and also to conduct a trial treatment.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of nematodes in humans can take place in two scenarios:
- taking medication;
- oxygen therapy.
In no case do self-medication, all drugs must be matched by a doctor. It is based on its experience, the results of the research conducted and the knowledge of the life cycle of parasites. In addition, the dosage and duration of administration are important. The instructions indicate the average indications, and the specialist will select you a course of treatment individually. And it is important to remember that cures for parasites are very toxic.
The second let the treatment be that pure 100% oxygen is injected into the patient's digestive tract. For some species of nematodes it is a deadly poison, so they perish and are removed from the body naturally. To accelerate the process, laxatives can be used.
Folk remedies
Since traditional treatment is quite toxic to the body, many people prefer to turn to folk medicine for help. But it is better to consult with a doctor before using any medication. Even if he does not approve your decision, then, anyway, tell you how and when to use home remedies.
Most often, enterobiosis uses several types of herbs:
- Onions and garlic insist on alcohol, vodka or water, and the resulting infusion is taken in teaspoons.
- Ginger is recommended to chew both freshly and as a tincture.
- Thyme and thyme have a thymol poisoning helminths. But it is not recommended to use it with alcohol, as this combination causes vomiting.
- Wormwood contains tuyen, which is toxic to nematodes.
- Tansy flowers are used in cases of blockage of the bile duct.
After the treatment, be sure to undergo a second examination to see if it is effective and that the folk remedies have not harmed your body.
Prevention of
Are nematodes dangerous for humans? Yes, undoubtedly, they can cause serious illnesses, and do not ignore the fact of infection. Therefore, it is better to prevent infection than to fight against parasites, and it is quite simple:
- observe personal hygiene, be sure to wash your hands after public transport, work in the garden or swimming in the pond;
- wash and thermally treat your food, do not abuse sushi and rolls;
- use repellents when relaxing in nature;
- if there are small children in the house, then linen, dishes and toys should be treated with boiling water.
It is not difficult to comply with these rules, they are not burdensome for either adults or children.