A common cause of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems are helminths.Infection of a child or adult with parasites causes a number of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to prevent this, it is necessary to know how worms are transmitted from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms can usually be treated, but such treatment involves the use of toxic medications, so it is best to avoid infection with larvae.
what are worms
There are many types of helminths, which fall into two categories: nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in the body of an animal or a person, affecting various organs and tissues, causing specific symptoms and general health problems.Worms vary in size: from a couple of millimeters to tens of meters.Helminths are contagious and their presence in the body is indicated by symptoms identical to those of other diseases (intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.).
Where do parasites come from?The appearance of helminths in the body is often associated with insufficient hand hygiene, but this is not the only way of transmission.Different types of parasites pass from one person to another in many ways.Pathologies caused by the spread of worms between people are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, however, despite this, the process of infection with them is approximately the same.Parasite eggs and larvae can enter the body along with food, water, sexual intercourse, etc.Another common method of infection is the ingestion of mature individuals or fragments of the worm's body.After entering the body, helminths begin to develop and some of them multiply.Certain types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered by a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthiasis is characterized by active progression and the lack of adequate treatment will lead to a deterioration in the patient's health.In addition, without adequate therapy, a person becomes a source of spread of helminthiasis.The most commonly diagnosed helminthic infestations are ascariasis and enterobiasis.Nematodes and pinworms have effective protection - a sticky layer, thanks to which they are firmly fixed in the organs.
Do worms spread from person to person?
With the strictest compliance with all hygiene rules, it is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infection.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by about 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals do not present the highest risk of becoming infected with helminths.The route of transmission of parasites through contact between people is the most common, in addition, some types of worms are transmitted only in this way.
The risk group includes preschool children and children who go to 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 common habit of biting nails.Parents should know how helminthiasis is transmitted;This will prevent infection of the baby.
How are worms transmitted?
There are several main ways parasites spread.How does helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- By droplets in the air.In this case, a person usually swallows eggs, fragments or larvae of worms, eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is very important to wash the products well before consuming them), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, eating meat or fish carrying the parasite.
- For domestic contacts.The worms lay still immature eggs that, upon leaving the host, remain harmless to others for a couple of weeks.However, the larvae can stay under the nails for a long time and can be transmitted by shaking hands, other personal contact, or sharing hygiene items and underwear.
- Through saliva.Pinworms and other types of parasites are capable of passing from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible method of transmission of worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites when attacked by carriers of helminth larvae such as insects (fleas, mosquitoes, midges).As a rule, such a danger exists in countries with a tropical climate.
- Transplacental route.If the mother is a carrier, they can pass through the placenta to the baby.
Percutaneous route
In this method of helminthiasis infection, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen penetrate the human body through the mucous membranes or skin.The percutaneous route involves an attack by larvae that wait in the ground for a person.At the same time, they penetrate the skin and migrate to the intestines.Another example is a person who becomes infected with schistosomes while swimming in a pond.As a rule, these dangerous parasites live in places with warm climatic conditions.
Are worms transmitted through kisses?
There is practically no chance of helminthiasis becoming infected through 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 cannot contain parasite larvae;In addition, it acts as the first barrier against the entry of helminths into the body, so, through a kiss, they can enter the human body only if specific requirements are met:
- one of the partners has just bitten, but not swallowed, a product contaminated with helminths;
- The woman kissed the palm of the child who had just played in the sandbox and immediately kissed her husband;
- Immediately before the kiss, one of the partners touched an object with worm eggs with his lips.
Is it possible to contract parasites through bed?
The eggs of pinworms and some other helminths live outside the animal or human body for several months and in everyday life can be found on any surface that the carrier touches.You can become infected with parasites through bed, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So if one family member is infected, after a short period of time the rest of the family becomes infected.Everyone should get tested and start timely treatment so as not to continue the spread of helminthiasis among their 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 placental tissue.In addition, if a woman, during pregnancy, became infected with any helminthiasis pathogen, the risk of the child becoming ill is very high.Parasites are unlikely to enter the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby's body during birth, when the baby comes out through the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, while the use of many medications is prohibited, therefore traditional medicine is often used.
Worm infection through sexual contact.
There is a risk of contracting a helminthic disease 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 with gay sexual orientation.As a rule, Giardia and amoebas live in the intestines and organs of the genitourinary system, so protective measures such as contraceptives cannot protect a healthy person from this disease.
Does worm infection occur through dishes?
A common variant of parasitic infection is through household contact.Often a person becomes ill with helminthiasis by eating dishes containing worm larvae or eggs.The spread pattern looks like this: After going to the bathroom, a child or adult does not wash their hands well or at all and then, while setting the table, touches cutlery, plates and other items.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs end up in food and then directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first settle on the excrement and then on the dishes.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately visit a doctor for testing to determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you choose the right therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms.
There are many varieties of parasites that cannot be protected against by vaccines or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the likelihood of the appearance of helminthiasis, since over the years it becomes a widespread problem and often leads to the development of serious concomitant pathologies.Despite the fact that new powerful drugs against worms constantly appear, parasites adapt to toxic substances and are still transmitted from person to person.
Due to the spread of the problem, measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms are appropriate and mandatory:
- strictly observe hygiene rules;
- subjecting meat and fish to thorough processing before consumption;
- provide each family member with personal hygiene items (towel, toothbrush, towel, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink exclusively clean water;
- eradicate bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual examination of the body for helminthic infestations.