Helminths are a common cause of poor health, sleep disorders and digestive problems.A parasite infection in a child or adult causes a number of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to prevent this, you need to know how the 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 the larvae.
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 appearance of helminths in the body is often associated with insufficient hand hygiene, but this is not the only way they are transmitted.Different types of parasites pass from one person to another in different ways.Pathologies that are caused by the spread of worms between people are called contact helminth infections.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, however, despite this, the process of infection with them is approximately the same.Eggs and larvae of parasites can enter the body together with food, water, sexual intercourse, etc.Another common method of infection is ingestion of mature individuals or body fragments of worms.After entering the body, helminths begin to develop, and some of them reproduce.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 adequate treatment will lead to deterioration of the patient's health.In addition, without appropriate therapy, a person becomes a source of spread of helminthiasis.The most frequently 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, it reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by approximately 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals do not pose the greatest risk of helminth infection.The route of parasite infection 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 daily presence of the child 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 the parasite spreads.How does a helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- Droplets in the air.In this case, a person, as a rule, swallows eggs, fragments or larvae of worms by eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to wash the products well before consumption), drinking, bathing in contaminated water, eating meat or fish that has transmitted the parasite.
- For home contacts.Worms lay still immature eggs, which, leaving the host, remain harmless for others for several weeks.However, the 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 can move from one host to another in this way, but this is highly unlikely.
- A portable way of transmitting worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites when they are 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 pathway
With this method of helminth infection, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen penetrate the human body through the mucous membrane or skin.The percutaneous route involves the attack of larvae waiting in the soil on 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, such dangerous parasites live in places with hot weather conditions.
Are worms transmitted by 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 are also not retained 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, so they can enter the human body through a kiss only if specific requirements are met:
- one of the partners has just bitten, but not swallowed, a product contaminated with helminths;
- a woman kissed the palm of a child who was just playing in the sandbox and immediately kissed her husband;
- just before the kiss, one of the partners touched the object with the worm eggs with his lips.
Is it possible to introduce parasites through the 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 all surfaces that the carrier touches.You can become infected with parasites through beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So, if one member of the family is infected, then after a short time the rest of the household is also infected.Everyone should be tested and start timely treatment in order not to continue the spread of helminthosis among relatives and the environment.
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 was infected with any pathogen of helminthiasis during pregnancy, the risk that the child will get sick is very high.Parasites are unlikely to enter the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby's body during childbirth, when the baby comes out through 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 getting a helminthic disease 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 of gay sexual orientation.As a rule, Giardia and amoeba 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.
Does worm infection occur through dishes?
A common variant of parasite infection is household contact.Often, a person becomes ill with helminthiasis by eating foods containing worm larvae or eggs.The spread pattern looks like this: after going to the toilet, a child or an adult does not wash their hands well or at all, and then touches cutlery, plates and other objects when setting the table.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs end up on 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 helminthosis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately visit a doctor for testing and determining the type of parasite.The specialist will help you choose an adequate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection with parasitic worms
There are many types of parasites that cannot be protected by vaccination or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the possibility of helminthiasis, because with age it becomes a widespread problem and often leads to the development of severe accompanying pathologies.Despite the fact that new powerful anti-worm drugs are constantly being developed, parasites adapt to toxic substances and are still transmitted from person to person.
Due to the spread of the problem, mandatory measures to prevent infection with parasitic worms are also appropriate:
- strictly follow hygiene rules;
- undergo thorough processing of meat and fish before consumption;
- provide each family member with means for personal hygiene (cloths, toothbrushes, towels, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink only clean water;
- eradicate bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual body examination for helminthic infestation.