Worms in the human body: photos and treatment methods

What kind of worms can live in the human body

Even the development of technology and household chemicals with a variety of detergents has not rid our society of parasitic infections.The number one reason is dirty hands.

There are types of worms that are not dangerous to humans and they can be eliminated from the body without much difficulty.However, parasitologists also know who kills their prey.

What worms can live inside us?

Helminths can reside in both animal and human bodies.It is not without reason that they are called parasites, because they feed on the resources of the body they infect.And worms cause harm not only by eating the food we are supposed to eat, they also disrupt the normal functioning of the liver, heart, lungs and other organs.There have been cases of them getting into hearing aids, eyes and the brain.

Experts divide people who often come as uninvited "guests" into three groups.These parasites have become the champions in terms of infections, as more than 70% of recorded infections belong to them.

Here is their brief description:

  1. Roundwormscombines pinworms, roundworms and also known as dog roundworms (another name is toxocara).
  2. Single-celled parasite.These include lamblia, amoeba, toxoplasmosis and malaria.
  3. Flatworms.This class includes echinococcus, tapeworms (diphyllobothriasis) and beef tapeworms.

The cause of helminthiasis (worm infection) can be any of 150 types of parasitic organisms.Scientists have discovered much more;Science knows of 12,000 species of helminths.Next let's look at the worms that live in the human body.

The most common types are:

  1. Pinworms.Very small white worms live and reproduce in the digestive tract of their prey.This type of worm causes the most harm because it disrupts the intestinal microflora.This negative impact causes subsequent diseases of the genitourinary system, intestinal diseases, nervous system disorders, retardation of physical and mental development.The main route of infection in humans is dirty hands, unwashed food and pets.
  2. Roundworms.These worms grow in the human body sometimes up to 0.4 meters long.Roundworms have the ability to migrate to the lung area from their permanent habitat, the intestinal tract.During the journey, the worm damages tissues, leading to bleeding in them.When larvae are coughed up from the upper respiratory tract, they enter the oral cavity and are swallowed into the digestive system.Outside observers mistake this type of cough for a cold.They also cause harm by poisoning the gut microbiome with toxins.In return, they eat substances that are useful to us.Poisoning the body leads to allergies, as well as asthma attacks and suffocation.Dirty hands are the favorite means of transportation for roundworms when moving to a new body.
  3. Roundworm.He is deservedly ranked third in terms of infections.This worm enters the body of a new victim through poorly prepared food.It causes trichuria.The patient has anorexia and complains of abdominal pain, anemia, and diarrhea.External manifestations of the disease cannot be immediately distinguished from an attack of appendicitis.
  4. Broadband.In a sense, this worm considers itself the champion in length, since it sometimes reaches 10 meters and even more.But there are more real parasites.It resolves through eating freshwater fish.The worm sucks out from the "owner" everything that needs to strengthen and nourish the person.It is not selective in damaging organs and can harm anyone.Signs of infection with this worm are headaches and hallucinations (if it penetrates the brain), nausea and vomiting.Its activity and part of its appearance are similar to pork tapeworms and beef tapeworms, but they are longer than this worm.
  5. HookwormDoes not penetrate through food and oral cavity.Their entry routes are different because they infect us through the skin.Living in polluted lands, they seem to be waiting for human contact.Their harm lies in the fact that hookworms damage the intestines and lungs, and also suck blood.Symptoms include abdominal pain and problems with the functioning of the esophagus.
  6. Trichinella.Helminth infection occurs when eating meat (especially game meat).Their presence in the body brings the following external manifestations:
    • stomach-ache;
    • itchy;
    • high temperature (after two weeks of stay);
    • intestinal disorders;
    • skin rash.

    Important.This type of worm damages muscle tissue in human limbs and face, damaging the respiratory system and even the heart, leading to death.

    types of parasites in the human body
  7. Liver flukesdeposited in a person through eating fish that has previously been affected by it.This type of worm causes damage to the gallbladder and intestines.Signs of trematode infection: allergies and nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, joint pain and high fever.If the disease has become chronic, the next stage may be hepatitis.The more terrible consequences of liver fluke infection are cirrhosis and cancer.If this type of helminth is destroyed and eliminated, the harm it causes will be quite obvious, leaving behind hepatitis.
  8. Echinococcus.Tapeworms are also quite large in length and can grow up to 5 meters high.They live as parasites on dogs, wolves and cats.When a person comes into contact with them, the worms first damage the intestines, then move throughout the body.Their most preferred settlement sites are the liver and lungs.The places where they are located are misdiagnosed as cancerous tumors or cysts.Some doctors use the term “cyst” because it looks like a tumor and reaches very large sizes.When the imaginary tumor bursts, its contents poison the entire human body.

Sometimes people overlook helminth infestations as an unpleasant but quite tolerable disease.Accordingly, their beliefs do not encourage them to be extremely careful when dealing with any type of dirt, poorly prepared foods, or contact with pets.

Such criminal negligence has caused sad consequences.Worms have the ability to kill their prey, in addition to causing pain and organ damage.The most dangerous are helminths that suck blood and useful substances inside humans.

The difference between parasitic worm species lies in the level of harm and their method of penetration into the new "host" body.Echinococci are known for forming cysts, beef tapeworms damage the intestines, and opisthorchis regularly feed on the liver.Every day she lacks a certain number of cells.

Parasites belonging to the class of protozoa reproduce very quickly when suitable conditions are created for this.Giardia seems to hide for a while and shows no symptoms.Toxoplasma attacks a person's head, affecting that person's brain, affecting the victim's behavior.

Plasmodium malaria destroys blood cells and can lead to death in victims.

Consequences of infection:

  • the development of malignant tumors;
  • weakened immunity;
  • Metabolism is disrupted.

Most helminths reside in the intestinal tract, liver and lungs.Some cases show damage to muscle tissue, joints, eyes, and brain.Thanks to blood circulation, parasites can move throughout the body, causing problems wherever they appear.

Symptoms of the presence of parasites

Symptoms of helminth infection vary widely.But they also have common symptoms:

What parasites can live in the human body
  • muscle weakness and swelling;
  • Joints hurt even though they are not injured;
  • liver and spleen increase in size;
  • skin rash;
  • high temperature.

You can add to them:

  • itching near the anus, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea and flatulence, possibly even intestinal obstruction, the patient becomes weaker and complains of anemia;
  • Intoxication caused by parasite secretions disrupts the functioning of the nervous system, leading to headaches, dizziness and nausea.Since the parasite feeds on substances intended to strengthen a person, the body weakens and constantly feels drowsiness, unjustified fatigue, disturbed sleep and even difficulty in performing serious mental work;
  • itchy skin and allergies, hives, hair and nails become brittle, signs of bronchial asthma, rhinitis and dry cough;
  • Weakened immunity creates opportunities for many types of infections, inflammation of the mouth and nose causing stomatitis, sinusitis and sinusitis;
  • Women with adnexitis and fishy-smelling discharge (bacterial vaginosis).

Worms sometimes put the infected person's body in a state where it is impossible to lead a full healthy life, even after their removal.Therefore, if you detect any symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Image of worms that can live inside you

Worms come in many different types, sizes and shapes that can settle in the human body.They use any method of migration to live at other people's expense.It is believed that 4/5 of the population of our planet is infected with helminths and carries various parasites.A person may not even realize that he or she is not the only one eating the food, but is also the “tenant” in the gut.

Symptoms of their presence do not appear immediately and are not clearly manifested in everyone.Worms that survive for a long time will cause the body to suffer from chronic diseases.It is believed that many diseases start from worms.Before starting treatment, you should first recognize your inner enemy so you don't fight blindly.

Worms that colonize humans are divided into types:

  • roundworms;
  • tapeworm;
  • fluke.

Even looking at a photo of a parasite isn't a very pleasant experience, but carrying it around is much worse.People think that other people might be infected, but it won't affect me.What a shock when they discover that a monster has come and taken up residence in their own bodies!

Image of parasites in the human body

Thanks to such materials, smart people are more equipped to protect themselves and their loved ones.But no one should do anything on their own to destroy these “uninvited guests.”

If the parasites are different, the treatment is not always the same.They don't give the same medicine for head lice and ringworm;There are significant differences in lifestyle, place of settlement, and mode of infection.First, the type of helminth and the direction of its harmful activity are determined, then the doctor chooses the drug, taking into account the age and other health characteristics of each patient.

Therefore, after receiving a sufficient amount of information about the types of worms, symptoms and degree of harm, the reader can proceed with diagnosis and pass the appropriate tests prescribed by the parasitologist.Not all types of worms are equally dangerous, but any type of them poisons the body with the waste products of their vital activities, and each type feeds on something of us: food or body tissue.

Please let me know.The term "parasite" comes from the Greek word meaning parasite.Two or more organisms live side by side, but one organism "sits on the neck" of the other, feeding and reproducing at the expense of the other organism.The digestive system can contain both multicellular helminths and protozoa.Tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms are quite common.They have a relatively complex body structure.

The majority of helminths have a negative effect on human health and general well-being, causing the development of very serious diseases.Keep this in mind, when the first signs of illness appear that do not go away with treatment of a cold or a skin rash is accompanied by a headache, you should see your doctor for a diagnostic appointment.

Today, doctors have enough highly accurate methods and technology to confirm or refute suspicions of parasitic worm infection.If helminths are detected, only a specialist can choose the most optimal treatment method.

How to prevent helminth infections?Do you need to constantly limit yourself to this or that vacation, literally "forcing" your life into a difficult situation by following complex postulates?

In fact, intestinal parasitic infections and their subsequent treatment can be avoided if you follow very simple rules:

  • wash hands only with soap;
  • drink filtered water;
  • Don't just wash fruits and vegetables with water, it's better to pour boiling water over them;
  • Swimming in polluted waters is not allowed;
  • Meat and fish products must undergo mandatory heat treatment;
  • Children's toys used outside are disinfected;
  • Vaccinate pets against parasites.

Conclude

But everyone needs to start with themselves, because all modern achievements mean nothing if you neglect personal hygiene and preventive measures for family members living in our homes.Paying attention to your health, timely detection (if an infection has occurred), competent and timely initiation of treatment - all this will help prevent a major catastrophe at the individual level and the spread of the epidemic in your environment.

It is much easier to prevent parasitic worms than to suffer from poor health, all kinds of disorders and fevers, then still have to follow the rules.Only this is no longer a hygienic process, but treatment, diet and restoration of immunity.And it would be nice if there was no surgery.Take care of yourself, it will get easier.