Helminths are a common cause of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems.Infection of a child or an adult with parasites causes a set of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to prevent this, you need 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 drugs, so it is better 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 human, 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 determined by symptoms identical to those of other diseases (intestine, 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 their transmission.Different types of parasites pass from one person to another in a variety of ways.Pathologies caused by the spread of worms between people are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, but nevertheless the process of infection with them is approximately the same.The eggs and larvae of the parasites 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 penetrating the body, helminths begin to develop and some of them multiply.Some types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered with a protective capsule.
Each type of helminthiasis is characterized by active progression, and the lack of adequate treatment will lead 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 infestations are ascariasis and enterobiosis.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 belief, animals do not pose the greatest risk of helminth infection.The route of infection with 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 children of preschool age 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 usual 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 airborne route.In this case, a person, as a rule, ingests eggs, fragments or larvae of worms by eating dirty vegetables / fruits (it is extremely important to wash the products well before consumption), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, eating meat or fish carrying the parasite.
- For household contacts.The worms lay still immature eggs, which, leaving the host, remain harmless for another 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 capable of moving from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible mode of transmission of 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, 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 infection with helminthiasis, the larvae / eggs of the pathogen penetrate the human body through mucous membranes or skin.The percutaneous route involves an attack on a person by larvae waiting in the soil.At the same time, they penetrate inside the skin and migrate to the intestines.Another example is a person who becomes infected with schistosomes while swimming in a lake.As a rule, such dangerous parasites live in places with hot weather.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is practically no chance of getting helminthiasis through saliva (during a kiss).Worms do not live in the mouth and their eggs also do not lodge 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, therefore, 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 infected with helminths;
- the woman kissed the palm of the child who was just playing in the sandbox, and immediately kissed her husband;
- immediately before the kiss, one of the partners touched his lips to an object on which there were worm eggs.
Is it possible to get 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 they can be found on any surfaces touched by the carrier.You can get parasites through bedding, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So if one family member is infected, after a short period of time the rest of the household becomes infected.Everyone should be examined and start timely treatment so that the spread of helminthiasis does not continue among relatives and people around them.
Worm infection of mother and child
Doctors do not rule out the possibility of infecting the fetus with worms through the placental tissue.In addition, if a woman during pregnancy was infected with any pathogen of helminthiasis, 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 the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, while many drugs are prohibited for use, so traditional medicine is often used.
Infection with worms through sexual contact
There is a risk of infection with helminths 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 in people of 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 are not able to protect a healthy person from this disease.
Is worm infection through vessels?
A common variant of parasite infection is through household contacts.Often a person gets sick with helminthiasis by eating dishes containing worm larvae or eggs.The distribution pattern looks like this: after visiting the toilet, a child or an adult does not wash their hands well or at all, and then, while setting the table, touches cutlery, plates and other objects.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs fall on food and then directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first sat on excrement and then on dishes.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately go to a doctor to be examined and determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you choose an adequate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection with parasitic worms
There are many varieties of parasites that cannot be protected against by vaccinations or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the possibility of helminthiasis, because over the years it becomes a widespread problem and often leads to the development of severe concomitant pathologies.Despite the fact that new powerful drugs against worms are constantly appearing, parasites adapt to toxic substances and are still transmitted from person to person.
Due to the prevalence of the problem, measures to prevent infestation with parasitic worms are appropriate and mandatory:
- strictly observe the rules of hygiene;
- subject 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 extremely clean water;
- eradication of bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual body examination for helminth infestation.