A common cause of health problems, sleep disorders and digestive problems are helminths.Infection of a child or adult with parasites causes a different and seemingly unrelated set of symptoms, and to avoid this you need to know how worms are transmitted from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms can usually be treated, but this treatment involves the use of toxic medications, so it is best to avoid infection with maggots.
What are worms
There are many types 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, affecting 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 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 occurrence of helminths in the body is often associated with insufficient hand hygiene, but this is not the only form of transmission.Different types of parasites pass from one person to another in various 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 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 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 status.In addition, without adequate therapy, a person becomes a source of propagation 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 fixed in the organs.
Are worms transmitted from person to person?
With the strictest observance of all hygiene rules, it is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infection.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by approximately 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals are not at greater risk of being infected by helminths.The route of infection by 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 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 common habit of biting nails.Parents should know how helminthiasis is transmitted - this will avoid infecting the baby.
How are worms transmitted?
There are several main ways that parasites spread.How does helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- By airborne droplets.In this case, the person, as a rule, swallows eggs, fragments or larvae of worms when eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to wash products well before consumption), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, eating meat or fish that carries the parasite.
- For household contacts.The worms lay immature eggs that, once they leave the host, remain harmless to others for a few weeks.However, larvae can remain under fingernails 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 able to move from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible method of transmitting worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites when attacked by carriers of helminth larvae, such as insects (fleas, mosquitoes, mosquitoes).As a rule, this 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
With this method of infection with helminthiasis, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen penetrate the human body through mucous membranes or skin.The percutaneous route involves the attack of larvae that wait for a person in the ground.At the same time, they penetrate the skin and migrate to the intestine.Another example is a person who becomes infected with schistosomes while swimming in a lake.As a rule, these dangerous parasites live in places with a hot climate.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is practically no chance of helminthiasis being 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 helminths entering the body, therefore, through a kiss, they can only enter the human body if specific requirements are met:
- one of the partners just bit into, but did not swallow, 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 containing worm eggs with his lips.
Is it possible to get parasites from bed?
The eggs of worms and some other helminths live outside the animal or human body for several months and in everyday life can be found on any surface touched by the carrier.You can get infected by parasites through bed, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.Therefore, if one member of the family is infected, after a short period of time the rest of the family will become infected.Everyone should get tested and start timely treatment so as not to continue the spread of helminthiasis among loved ones and people 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, was infected with any helminthiasis pathogen, the risk of the child getting sick 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 exits through the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, while the use of many medications is prohibited, so traditional medicine is often used.
Worm infection through sexual contact
There is a risk of contracting helminths during intimacy with a parasite carrier, especially if it is 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, therefore, protective measures such as contraceptives are not able to 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 distribution pattern is as follows: after going to the bathroom, a child or adult does not wash their hands well or does not wash their hands well and then, when setting the table, touches cutlery, plates and other items.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs end up in food and directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first land on the excrement and then on the dishes.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor to take tests and determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you choose the appropriate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection with parasitic worms
There are many varieties of parasites, which cannot be protected against through vaccines or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the likelihood of helminthiasis, since over the years it becomes a widespread problem and often leads to the development of serious concomitant pathologies.Despite the constant emergence of new potent medications against worms, 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;
- subject meat and fish to complete processing before consumption;
- provide each family member with personal hygiene items (cloth, toothbrush, towel, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink exclusively clean water;
- eradicate bad habits;
- reduce your consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual examination of the body for helminth infestation.