Infection with helminths occurs imperceptibly. And the initial signs of the disease are nonspecific. In this regard, patients with such a pathology do not immediately turn to the doctor. After all, the manifestations of the disease have a lot in common with signs of poisoning, an allergic reaction, arthritis, and an inflammatory process in the stomach. Often a person does not suspect that there are worms in his body. Where do parasites come from in adults and children?
Types of helminths
Worms are worms and their larvae that settle in the human body. There are many varieties of parasites.
Most of them are rare. On the territory of the Russian Federation, intestinal nematodes and roundworms are usually observed. These helminths live in the digestive system. Other types of parasites (trichinella, cestodes, flukes) are rare. They are found not only in the intestines, but also in other parts of the body. Where do worms come from?Helminths appear in people who eat poorly cooked or fried food (meat, fish, poultry), eat unwashed vegetables, fruits, berries, drink unboiled water.
The most common types of parasites
Ascaris and pinworms are common in adult and juvenile patients. The first variety of helminths is worms, which are light in color and round in shape. They are found in the small intestine. Such parasites do not attach to the walls of the organ, they move in the direction opposite to the movement of food. Therefore, it is quite difficult to detect worms in feces. Sometimes helminth eggs can be seen in the feces. But to see them, you need to analyze them under a microscope. In the absence of therapy, roundworms are able to live in the body for several years.
Pinworms are small parasites. Their body has a curved shape and a beige color. Such helminths live in the lower intestines. The worms leave the body along with the feces. At night, they crawl to the surface of the skin and lay eggs.
Where do worms come from? Small white worms (roundworms, pinworms) enter the body through the fecal-oral route. They leave together with feces, and, getting into favorable conditions, continue their development and find a new host.
Helminth eggs are found everywhere: in soil, water, on the surface of plants. Worms are carried by flies, wind, animals.
Babies often become infected with parasites when they play in the sandbox or on the beach. The eggs of the worms fall onthe surface of vegetables, fruits and berries.
Where do worms come from? Experts call helminthiases a disease of unwashed hands. Ignoring hygiene rules is the main cause of infection. Worm eggs can be ingested even when using other people's things, such as towels.
Main causes of pathology
Many people are interested in the question of how to protect yourself from infection. Speaking about the prevention of helminthiasis, you should first find out where the worms come from in humans. The most common methods of infection include percutaneous, alimentary, contact-household, transmissible.
Parasite can appear under the following circumstances:
- Eating food containing worm eggs.
- Eating poorly processed fish, meat, and game that has not passed veterinary control. The larvae of some parasites do not die even after prolonged extinguishing. Therefore, you need to use only proven products.
- Violation of hygiene standards.
- Bathing in rivers and lakes containing parasite larvae.
- Working with the earth in the garden, vegetable garden.
Where do worms come from in an adult? Professional activity associated with a high risk of infection is also a provoking factor. Employees of children's institutions, livestock workers, catering establishments and poultry farms should follow the rules of personal hygiene.
Which organs do worms live in?
There are many false claims about where parasites live. Not all data has a scientific basis. Humans are either primary or intermediate hosts of helminths. Some worms after the phase of sexual reproduction are excreted with feces. Others penetrate various organs and cause pathological processes in them.
Worms can be found under the skin, in the bladder, in the tissues of the liver, eyes, heart and lungs, in the brain and even in the muscles.
Sources of contamination in the environment
The summer season is the period of insect activity. Arthropods contribute to the seeding of fruits and vegetables with larvae of parasites. Eating dirty apples picked from a tree or berries from bushes increases the risk of infection.
Where do worms come from in an adult? The likelihood of the disease increases when eating animal products (lard, caviar), scrambled eggs from unwashed eggs, foods that are sold in stalls on the street. Tea spilled into plastic cups can also cause infection. In adults, as in children, worms are often found after visiting the beaches.
Parasite is a threat to life
Worms take useful substances and vitamins, disrupt the functioning of organs and systems, poison cells and tissues with toxic compounds. In addition, they can cause complications that require surgery, for example:
- Inflammation of the appendix.
- Intestinal obstruction, peritonitis.
- Blockage of the gallbladder ducts.
- Visual damage.
Prolonged exposure to worms onthe body can provoke cirrhosis and malignant tumors in the liver, inflammation of the meninges, pneumonia and myocarditis.
Parasites in babies
Where do worms come from in children? Minor patients can become infected on the street, in a clinic, a nursery. Danger lies in wait for babies in any room where helminths can live. Street shoes, dirty floor in the corridor, unwashed toys - all this poses a threat to the child's body. Infection occurs as a result of ignoring the rules of hygiene. Parasites occur in patients who do not wash their hands after the toilet or sandbox and before eating, eat dirty berries, vegetables and fruits, drink water from rivers and lakes. Speaking about where the worms come from in a child, it should be noted that representatives of the fauna are a source of danger.
These are primarily arthropods (cockroaches, ants and flies). The threat is borne by cats and dogs, with which kids love to play so much. Children often become infected due to the fact that the defense mechanisms of their gastrointestinal tract are not fully developed. In addition, some parents do not take care of the personal hygiene of their sons and daughters.
Signs indicating pathology
The fact that helminths are present in the child's body can be judged by indirect manifestations. The baby has a copious flow of saliva, nausea, lack of or increased appetite. Sometimes he complains of discomfort in the peritoneal area around the navel. Disorders of bowel functions (constipation or diarrhea) are observed. The kid gets tired quickly, suffersdizziness. His skin becomes pale and dark circles appear under his eyes. Symptoms of helminthiasis also include allergic reactions, dermatitis, itching in the anus, restless sleep and gnashing of teeth at night. Speaking about where the worms come from in humans, it should be noted that the source of pathology is often animals, not only stray dogs and cats, but also pets. Some parents believe that a four-legged friend who rarely goes outside is not dangerous for the child. But it's not. Babies often kiss cats and dogs on the nose, hug them, take them to bed with them. And the absence of obvious signs of helminthiasis does not mean that the child has not become infected.
Ways to deal with parasites
Today, there are many drugs that contribute to the death of worms and do not have a harmful effect on the human body. The absence of toxic effects is especially important in the treatment of young patients. According to WHO recommendations, parents need to check children from 1.5 to 7 years old twice a year (in spring and autumn), even if they do not have obvious signs of illness. Examinations allow you to detect pathology at an early stage and start therapy on time.
They talk about where worms come from and how to get rid of parasites, it should be added that this disease occurs not only in humans, but also in animals. Pets should be regularly given drugs to prevent helminthiasis (the funds are prescribed by veterinarians). Following this rule will prevent infection.
Folktherapies
There are traditional medicines for the treatment of pathology. The most common of them are Vermox, Dekaris, Pirantel, Nemozol. However, there are other methods of dealing with pathology. These include the following tools:
- Onion decoction.
- Infusion of pomegranate bark.
- Soda enemas.
- Juice from carrots or sour berries.
- Mixed garlic with milk.
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Mugwort tincture.
- Sauerkraut pickle.
These funds are auxiliary methods of treatment. The main therapy should be prescribed by a specialist.
How to avoid helminthiasis?
Where do worms come from? The source of infection are many environmental factors (water, soil, food, animals and insects). To avoid the development of pathology, you need to follow these rules:
- Wash hands before eating, after going to the toilet, outdoors, contact with animals.
- Eat only clean berries, fruits and vegetables.
- Eat thermally processed and proven fish and meat.
- Regularly do wet cleaning in the house and change bedding, clean carpets, upholstered furniture.
Speaking about where worms come from in children and how to get rid of worms, it should be noted that before using pills and folk remedies, you should consult a doctor. Parents need to monitor the hygiene of the baby, explain the basic rules of prevention.
