Types of human worms and how to infect them

Worms are representatives of the lower worms that live in the human body. Diseases associated with human infection with various helminths are called helminthiasis. This disease is not uncommon and occurs in certain groups of people. Children are susceptible to pinworm infection, and hunters - trichinella spiralis, fishermen and lovers of Japanese cuisine (raw fish in the form of sushi) suffer from dichotomycosis.Paradoxically, many diseases can develop in the human body as a result of helminthiasis. Today, the theory about the link between cancer and parasitic infections is one of the most relevant. In the presence of helminthiasis, symptoms do not always appear, but if a patient with this disease experiences any unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations, they are considered signs of other diseases. The patient had been treated for years for pancreatitis, gastritis, or colitis, but helminthiasis was not suspected as the cause of his illness.

How does infection occur?

Worms have brought a lot of trouble to humansWorm infection occurs as follows:
  • through unwashed hands
  • After contact with soil
  • After an insect bite
  • Because hands are dirty
  • When eating raw meat and fish
  • After eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • after contact with animals
  • After contact with an infected person
Mature parasite eggs can be found in soil, water and food (raw and lightly cooked meat or fish). Rare cases of this disease are caused by insect bites. The mechanism of infection for helminthiasis is oral-fecal. A person swallows the parasite eggs with food and water. Contact and household modes of infection also occur. This occurs when hands are not washed thoroughly after contact with soil or sand.Vegetables and berries grown in the ground without adequate washing are also a source of worm infestation. Children who play with yards and livestock are at risk of contracting worms. Pets roaming freely on the streets may bring worm eggs indoors. Flies and other insects can easily spread parasite eggs by landing on food after contact with animal feces. Surprisingly, human-to-human infection is also possible. Here's what happens: Female pinworms can crawl out of your intestines and lay their eggs directly on your underwear, causing severe itching. After a person scratches an itchy area, he or she may come into contact with other toiletries and household items. These items fall into the hands of other family members, who then become infected.
Transmission through water is also possible. Many parasitic eggs easily fall into open reservoirs and wells. Drinking unboiled well water is extremely dangerous.

Types of helminthiasis

Helminthiasis invades the body in different ways:
  1. biological worm
  2. soil worm
  3. contagious
Biological worms are transmitted to humans through contact with animals. Soil worms can become infected through the soil. Contagious viruses are caused by contact with an infected person. The disease manifests itself differently depending on the mode of infection, the number of worms present, and how well they have adapted to any human organ.

Stages of helminthiasis

Adult eggs and worm eggsThe most damaging effects on the body are caused not by the adult worms, but by their larvae. The adult worm has chosen a comfortable place for itself in the human body, and the larvae pass through the organs and leave lesions. The most common habitat of the parasite is the gastrointestinal tract. Different types of parasites prefer different habitats. Therefore, roundworms are located in the small intestine, and pinworms colonize the large intestine and the lower part of the small intestine. Depending on the parasite's habitat, helminth infections are:
  • translucent
  • fabric
The luminal type is located in the lumen of the reproductive organ, and the tissue type is located inside the tissue. Depending on its growth, the parasite can change its habitat from a luminal to a tissue form. The development of helminthiasis occurs in two stages:
  1. Spicy
  2. chronic
The acute phase lasts from one week to one month, and the chronic phase lasts until cured. The acute phase begins with the introduction of eggs and continues as the parasite matures and grows. The disease manifests itself as an allergic reaction to foreign substances. In the chronic stage of the disease, the body undergoes various reactions. During this time, the parasites move throughout the body in search of shelter. The disease is accompanied by disruption of the functions of the body's organs and systems. As the parasite integrates into the body's immune system, it consumes the substances it needs to grow and develop. This can lead to metabolic disorders, digestive disorders, and difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals.In addition to this hazard, parasites spray their waste products into the body, poisoning the body and causing intestinal disorders, reduced immunity, and bacterial infections. Parasites increase the risk of cancer. This occurs due to a negative impact on the immune system and stimulation of cell division. Often, a patient is examined by several specialists and it is discovered that he suffers from a variety of diseases. In this case, all specialists can be replaced by one doctor (parasitologist).

Classification of worms

Roundworms are quite common in the human intestine. Types of human worms:
  1. flatworm
  2. roundworms
Flatworms include:
  • Flukes (opistosoma, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis)
  • Tapeworms (Lathyoma solium, Echinococcus solium, Alveolar tapeworm)
  • Roundworms or nematodes:
    • Pinworm
    • roundworms
    • hookworm
    • Trichinella spiralis
This classification of worms is described in the medical literature. Successful treatment of problems such as helminthiasis requires a deep understanding of the parasite's structure and life cycle characteristics.

fluke

Another name for flukes is trematodes. These parasites are flat leaf-shaped or lanceolate in shape and have two suckers. One suction cup is located in the oral cavity and a second suction cup is located in the peritoneum for attachment. All representatives of flukes enter the human body through an intermediate host. Most of these parasites are hermaphrodites.

Metatesticular disease

This is a fluke - a worm up to 1. 3 cm long with two suckers. Metatesticular disease is a hermaphroditism that occurs in the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas of humans and some carnivores (foxes, dogs, cats). Metatesticular eggs are excreted from humans or animals in feces. When the eggs enter a body of water, they are swallowed by freshwater molluscs, where the larvae hatch and develop. The process of larval development and maturation lasts two months. The larvae then crawl out of the mollusk and penetrate the carp's skin. After six weeks, the larvae turn into mature parasites. Metatesticular disease can enter the body of animals or people after they eat contaminated fish. The worm can live in an organism for up to 20 years. Symptoms of opioditis:
  1. allergy
  2. weakness
  3. Headache
  4. Dizziness
  5. frustrated
  6. loss of consciousness
The harm caused by opiates to the body:
  • parasitic waste poisoning
  • liver tissue damage
  • gallbladder damage
  • Impaired bile outflow
  • pancreatic inflammation
  • secretory dysfunction
  • Decreased gastric motility
  • The walls of some organs thicken, leading to the development of tumors.
The chronic course of the disease is characterized by:
  • Feeling heavy after eating
  • pain
  • Vomit
  • nausea
Prevent infection: To avoid contracting opioditis, it is not advisable to eat raw fish. Larvae die during heat treatment of the product. Dried fish can only be eaten if it has been pre-salted. Also, when fish are frozen for a long time, the larvae will die.

Schistosoma

Garlic is an effective insect repellentThese parasites have different sexes and are needle-like, with a length of 0. 4 to 2. 6 cm. Females are longer and larger than males and can lay up to 3, 000 eggs per day. The mode of reproduction is the same as in the previous category of parasites, by means of freshwater molluscs. The larvae enter the human body through the skin and mucous membranes while swimming in fresh water. It can also enter the body of someone who accidentally swallows water while swimming. One day after invasion, the larvae transform into adults and enter peripheral veins, where they are transported to the lungs and venous vessels. There the schistosomiasis reaches sexual maturity.Schistosoma lay eggs in the intestines, mucous membranes and bladder. The eggs are then excreted from the body through urine or feces and their development process begins again. Schistosomiasis survives in the human body for decades, causing damage and infecting new individuals. The problems that occur when infected with schistosomiasis are not caused by adults, but by their eggs. Only half of the eggs are expelled from the body, the rest accumulates in the organs. The parasite's spiny eggs can damage a person's internal organs, often causing ulcers in infected people. People with schistosomiasis may experience the following symptoms:
  • Loss of appetite
  • anemia
  • enlarged liver
  • altered spleen
  • Reduced intestinal motility
  • stomach ache
  • constipate
  • diarrhea
  • lose weight
  • Intestinal bleeding
  • pain during urination
  • allergy
  • weakness
When a genitourinary infection occurs, patients will experience:
  1. Irregular menstruation and miscarriage in women
  2. Male impotence and incomplete ejaculation
If eggs enter the central nervous system:
  • acute cerebral schistosomiasis
  • chronic brain injury
  • die
Affected children experience delayed growth and poor performance in school. Preventing this disease includes avoiding swimming and walking barefoot in tropical waters.

paragonium

Prevent worm infection - wash your hands frequentlyParagonimicus is a 1 cm long lung fluke with an oval body and red spines. The parasite multiplies in the animals' lungs and enters the body through eating crayfish and freshwater crabs. Parasites affect the respiratory system. Patients with paragonimiasis are characterized by allergic reactions and reduced immunity. symptom:
  • temperature rise
  • cough
  • The production of phlegm from the lungs when you cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • In severe cases, sputum contains blood and parasite eggs
  • A wheezing sound can be clearly heard in the patient's lungs
Prevention: Avoid eating raw crayfish and crabs.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms are represented by tapeworms of various lengths. Some parasites are huge. These parasites have suckers, hooks, or sucking slits on their heads. Parasites need these devices to adhere to the intestinal wall. Tapeworms affect the entire body; they are most dangerous in children, who can quickly become anemic.

Echinococcus

These parasites can grow up to 5 centimeters long and are the causative agent of echinococcosis. Multi-chambered representatives of this worm are the causative agent of diseases such as alveolar coccosis. The disease is carried by cattle and domestic animals. When caring for these animals, the parasite eggs fall from their fur onto people's hands. When parasites enter the human intestine, they bite into the mucous membrane. As the parasite matures, it develops into 4 segments, the last of which is filled with eggs. These parts break off and spread throughout the body, causing infection. The fourth part spreads the eggs throughout the body.The patient's infected organs, such as the liver, become enlarged. Pus may form. Enlarged organs may even cause abdominal rupture. This can lead to severe sepsis in the body and even death. symptom:
  • weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Allergic reaction to parasite waste.
Echinococcus tapeworm affects:
  1. brain
  2. spinal cord
  3. Eye
  4. thyroid
  5. liver
  6. lung
  7. Uterus
This parasite can trigger the formation of tumors, including malignant tumors. The most unpleasant thing is that this disease can only be treated through surgery. Prevention: Maintain personal hygiene when handling animals.

Nematodes

These worms are elongated, round or cylindrical in shape and most commonly inhabit children. These roundworms include pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms.

Pinworm

Giardia is a parasite too! These are little white worms. The length of the female is 1 cm and the length of the male is 0. 5 cm. These parasites have a pointed tail, which is why they are called pinworms. The habitat of pinworms is the human intestine. There is a sucker at the front end of the parasite. Pinworms use the sucker to burrow into the intestine. The tip hangs into the intestinal lumen and damages the intestinal wall. This disease is called pinworms. You can become infected through dirty hands. This disease is common in preschool children who attend kindergarten. Symptoms of pinworm infection are itching near the anus. More commonly, itching occurs at night when the female lays eggs and secretes a special substance. symptom:
  1. itching
  2. diarrhea
  3. stomach ache
  4. Headache
  5. Loss of appetite
Prevention: Wash your hands frequently.

roundworms

These worms are the largest. Females can reach 0. 5m in length and lay 200, 000 eggs per year, regardless of males. The mechanism of infection is fecal-oral infection. Roundworm eggs enter the body through dirty hands along with unwashed vegetables and fruits. The larvae that enter the intestine are selected from the shell, penetrate the intestinal wall, and at the same time migrate to the liver through the intestinal veins, enter the heart through the hepatic veins, enter the bronchi through the pulmonary artery, and then enter the trachea and enter the mouth. Some of the larvae die in the open, while the rest are swallowed. symptom:
  • nausea
  • Vomit
  • jaundice
  • pancreatitis
  • Frequent acute respiratory infections
  • bronchitis
  • pneumonia
prevention:
  • handwashing
  • Wash vegetables and fruits
  • maintain personal hygiene
  • Protect food from flies, cockroaches and other carriers.
In conclusion, we can say that the cause of disease is not always the entry of bacteria and viruses into the body. Parasites can cause huge harm to human health. If unknown symptoms occur, the possibility of parasites entering the body should not be ruled out; the patient should see a parasitologist.