Helminths are a common cause of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems.Infecting a child or adult with parasites causes different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and in order to prevent this, you need to know how worms are spread from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms are usually treatable, but such treatment involves the use of toxic drugs, so it is better to avoid infection with larvae.
What are worms
There are many types of helminths, which can be divided into two categories - nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in the body of an animal or a person and affect various organs and tissues, causing specific symptoms and general health problems.Worms vary in size: from a few millimeters to tens of meters.Helminths are infectious, and their presence in the body is indicated by the same symptoms as those of other diseases (intestine, liver, pancreas, etc.).
Where do parasites come from?The occurrence of worms in the body is often related to insufficient hand hygiene, but this is not the only way they spread.Different types of parasites are transmitted from one person to another in all kinds of ways.Pathologies caused by worms that spread between people are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, yet the process of infection is approximately the same.Eggs and larvae of parasites can enter the body through food, water, sexual contact, etc.together.Another common route of infection is ingestion of mature individuals or body parts of the worm.After entering the body, helminths develop and some of them multiply.Certain types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered with a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthiasis is characterized by active progression, and lack of proper treatment leads to deterioration of the patient's health.In addition, without proper therapy, a person becomes a source of spread of helminthiasis.The most frequently diagnosed helminthic infections are ascariasis and enterobiasis.Roundworms and roundworms provide effective protection - with a sticky shell, thanks to which they are firmly fixed in the organs.
Do worms spread from person to person?
It is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infection with the strictest observance of all hygiene rules.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by about 60%.Do parasites spread from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals do not represent the greatest risk of infection with helminths.The most common way of infection with parasites is through human-to-human contact, and this is the only way certain types of worms are spread.
The risk group includes preschoolers and children attending primary school.This is explained by the still fragile immune system, the child's daily presence in public places, the characteristics of the child's body and the general habit of nail biting.Parents need to know how helminthiasis is spread - this will prevent the infection of the baby.
How are worms spread?
There are several main ways parasites are spread.How does a helminth infection develop?Worms are spread in the following ways:
- With the droplets in the air.In this case, a person usually ingests the eggs, fragments or larvae of the worms by eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to thoroughly wash the products before consumption), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, meat or fish carrying the parasite.
- For domestic relations.Worms lay immature eggs that remain harmless to others for several weeks after leaving the host.However, larvae can remain under fingernails for long periods of time and can be transmitted by shaking hands, other personal contact, or sharing sanitary items and underwear.
- Through saliva.Fungal worms and other types of parasites can move from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible way of transmission of worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites if they are attacked by carriers of worm larvae, such as insects (fleas, mosquitoes, mosquitoes).In general, this danger exists in countries with a tropical climate.
- Transplacental route.If the mother is a carrier, they can cross the placenta to the baby.
Percutaneous route
With this method of helminthiasis infection, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen enter the human body through the mucous membrane or the skin.During the percutaneous route, humans are attacked by larvae waiting in the soil.At the same time, they penetrate the skin and migrate to the intestines.Another example is when a person becomes infected with schistosomes while swimming in a lake.Usually, such dangerous parasites live in places with warm weather conditions.
Are worms spread by kissing?
There is practically no chance of contracting helminthiasis with saliva (during a kiss).Worms do not live in the mouth, and their eggs do not remain in the initial part of the digestive tract.Saliva should not contain parasite larvae;in addition, it is the first barrier against helminths entering the body, so they can only enter the human body through a kiss if certain requirements are met:
- one partner has just bitten but not swallowed a product contaminated with helminths;
- the woman kissed the palm of the child who was playing in the sandpit and immediately kissed her husband;
- just before the kiss, one partner touched his lips to an object with worm eggs on it.
Is it possible for parasites to get in through the bed?
The eggs of pinworms and other worms live outside the animal or human body for several months and can be found on any surface touched by the host in everyday life.You can get parasites on beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.through.So if one family member becomes infected, the rest of the household will become infected after a short time.Everyone should be examined and start treatment in time so as not to continue the spread of helminthiasis among loved ones and those around them.
Worm infection of mother and child
Doctors do not exclude the possibility of infection of the fetus with worms through the tissue of the placenta.In addition, if a woman is infected with any helminthiasis pathogen during pregnancy, there is a very high risk that the child will get sick.It is unlikely that the parasites will enter the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby's body during birth, when the baby moves out through the birth canal.Helminthic infection of the mother and child requires complex treatment, while the use of many drugs is prohibited, so traditional medicine is often used.
Worm infection through sexual contact
There is a risk of contracting intestinal worms during intimacy with a parasite carrier, especially if we are talking about amoebiasis or giardiasis.Statistics show that infection through sexual contact is more common among people of gay sexual orientation.In general, Giardia and amoebas live in the intestines and organs of the urogenital system, so protective measures such as contraceptives cannot protect a healthy person from this disease.
Is infection with worms through dishes?
A common form of parasite infection is household contact.Often, a person becomes ill with helminthiasis if he eats from dishes containing worm larvae or eggs.The spread pattern looks like this: a child or adult does not wash their hands or not at all after visiting the toilet, and then touches cutlery, plates and other objects during the spread.
Due to improper hygiene, the egg gets on the food and then directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first sat on feces and then on plates.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, do not self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor to examine and determine the type of parasite.The specialist will help you choose the right therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms
There are many types of parasites that cannot be prevented by vaccination or other preventive measures.It is impossible to ignore the possibility of helminthiasis, as it becomes a widespread problem over the years and often leads to the development of serious concomitant pathologies.Despite the continuous emergence of new, powerful anti-worm drugs, the parasites adapt to the toxins and continue to spread from person to person.
Due to the spread of the problem, measures to prevent the infection of parasitic worms are appropriate and mandatory:
- strictly follow hygiene rules;
- meat and fish must be thoroughly processed before consumption;
- provide all family members with personal hygiene items (washcloth, toothbrush, towel, etc.);
- supports the immune system with vitamins;
- drink only clean water;
- elimination of bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- the body is examined annually for worm infestation.