A common cause of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems are helminths.Infecting a child or adult with parasites causes a number of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms.To prevent this, you need to understand how worms are transmitted from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms can usually be treated.However, such treatment requires the use of toxic drugs.Therefore, it is better to avoid infection with larvae.
What are worms?
There are many species of helminths, which are divided into two categories: nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in the body of an animal or person, infecting various organs and tissues and causing specific symptoms and general health problems.The size of the worms varies: from a few millimeters to tens of meters.Helminths are contagious and their presence in the body is indicated by symptoms identical to those of other diseases (intestinal, liver, pancreatic, etc.).
Where do parasites come from?The appearance of helminths in the body is often accompanied by inadequate hand hygiene, but this is not the only route of transmission.Different types of parasites are transmitted from one person to another in different ways.Pathologies caused by the spread of worms between people are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen pathogens of parasitic diseases are known, but the infection process proceeds in approximately the same way.Eggs and larvae of parasites can enter the body along with food, water, sexual intercourse, etc.Another common method of infection is ingestion of mature individuals or body fragments of the worm.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 with a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthiasis is characterized by active progression, and the lack of adequate treatment leads to a deterioration in the patient's health.In addition, without appropriate therapy, a person becomes a source of the spread of helminthiasis.The most commonly diagnosed helminthic infestations are ascariasis and enterobiasis.Roundworms and pinworms have effective protection - a sticky shell, thanks to which they are firmly anchored in the organs.
Are worms transmitted from person to person?
With strict adherence to all hygiene rules, it is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infection.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by around 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Contrary to popular belief, animals are not at greatest risk of becoming infected with helminths.The most common route of infection through parasites is through contact between people, and some species of worms are only transmitted this way.
The risk group includes preschool children and children who attend primary school.This is explained by the still weak immune system, the child's daily presence in public places, the characteristics of the child's body and the frequent habit of biting nails.Parents should know how helminthiasis is transmitted - this will prevent the baby from becoming infected.
How are worms transmitted?
There are several main ways parasites spread.How does a helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- Through droplets in the air.In this case, a person usually swallows eggs, fragments or larvae of worms by eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to wash the products thoroughly before eating), drinking, swimming in contaminated water or eating meat or fish that carry the parasite.
- For household contacts.The worms lay immature eggs, which remain harmless to others for a few weeks when they leave the host.However, the larvae can remain under the nails for a long time and can be transmitted through shaking hands, other personal contact, or sharing hygiene products and underwear.
- Through saliva.Pinworms and other types of parasites can transmit from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible mode of transmission of worms.When infested by carriers of helminth larvae such as insects (fleas, midges, midges), infection with parasites is possible.As a rule, such a danger exists in countries with a tropical climate.
- Transplacental route.If the mother is a carrier, they can be transmitted to the baby through the placenta.
Percutaneous route
With this method of infection with helminthiasis, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen penetrate the human body through the mucous membranes or skin.The percutaneous route involves an attack by larvae waiting for a person in the ground.At the same time, they penetrate the interior of the skin and migrate into the intestines.Another example is a person becoming infected with schistosomes while swimming in a pond.Such dangerous parasites usually live in places with hot weather conditions.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is practically no chance of contracting helminthiasis through saliva (during a kiss).Worms do not live in the mouth and their eggs do not remain in the first part of the digestive tract.Saliva cannot contain parasite larvae;In addition, it acts as the first barrier against helminths entering the body.Therefore, they can only enter the human body through a kiss if certain conditions 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 been playing in the sandbox and immediately kissed her husband;
- Immediately before the kiss, one of the partners touched his lips to an object that had worm eggs on it.
Can parasites be transmitted via bed?
The eggs of pinworms and some other helminths live outside the animal or human body for several months and can be found in everyday life on all surfaces that the wearer touches.You can become infected with parasites through beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So if one family member is infected, after a short time the rest of the household will also become infected.Everyone should get tested and start treatment in a timely manner so as not to continue the spread of helminthiasis among relatives and those around them.
Infection with worms in 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 was infected with a helminthiasis pathogen during pregnancy, the risk of the child becoming ill is very high.Parasites are unlikely to pass into the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby's body during birth when the baby exits through the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, while the use of many drugs is prohibited, and therefore traditional medicine is often resorted to.
Infection with worms through sexual contact
During intimacy with a parasite carrier, there is a risk of developing helminthic disease, especially if it is amebiasis or giardiasis.Statistics show that infection through sexual contact is more common among people with gay sexual orientation.Giardia and amoeba usually live in the intestines and organs of the genitourinary system, so protective measures such as contraceptives cannot protect a healthy person from this disease.
Can you get infected with worms through dishes?
A common variant of parasite infection is contact with the household.Often a person becomes ill with helminthiasis when eating foods that contain worm larvae or eggs.The pattern of spread looks like this: After using the toilet, a child or adult washes their hands poorly or not at all and then touches cutlery, plates and other objects when setting the table.
Due to poor hygiene, eggs get on food and then go directly to the digestive tract.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first sit on excrement and then on the plates.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but should immediately consult a doctor to be tested and determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you choose appropriate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms
There are many types of parasites that cannot be protected against through vaccinations or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the likelihood of helminthiasis, as over the years it becomes a widespread problem and often leads to the development of serious concomitant diseases.Although new effective drugs against worms are constantly coming onto the market, 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 adhere to the hygiene regulations.
- Subject meat and fish to thorough processing before consumption;
- Provide each family member with personal hygiene items (washcloth, toothbrush, towel, etc.).
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink only clean water;
- eliminate bad habits;
- Reduce consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- Undergo an annual examination of the body for helminth infestation.