Helminths are a common cause of poor health, sleep disorders, and digestive problems.Infection of a child or adult with parasites causes a number of different symptoms that are not related to each other, 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 drugs, so it is better not to become infected with the larvae.
What are worms?
There are many types of helminths, they are divided into two categories - nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in the animal or human body, 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 the same as the symptoms 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 way they are transmitted.Different types of parasites are transmitted from one person to another in different ways.Pathologies caused by the spread of worms among people are called contact helminthoses.
Today, several dozen causative agents of parasitic diseases are known, but nevertheless, the process of infection with them is almost the same.Eggs and larvae of parasites can be found in food, water, sex, etc.can enter the body together withAnother common method of transmission is ingestion of adult individuals or fragments of the worm's body.After entering the body, helminths begin to develop and some multiply.Certain types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered with a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthosis is characterized by active progression, and the 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 commonly diagnosed helminthic infections 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?
It is impossible to protect yourself 100% from helminth infection by strictly following all hygiene rules.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 pose the greatest risk of contracting helminths.The most common way of infection of parasites is through contact between people, in addition, some types of worms are transmitted only in this way.
The risk group includes children of preschool age 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 general 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 that parasites are spread.How does helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted by:
- With air drops.At this time, a person usually ingests eggs, fragments or worm larvae by eating contaminated vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to wash the products well before consumption), drinking, bathing in contaminated water, eating meat or fish carrying the parasite.
- For households.Worms still lay immature eggs, which leave the host and remain harmless to others for several weeks.However, larvae can remain under fingernails for long periods of time and can be transmitted by shaking hands, other personal contacts, or sharing hygiene items and underwear.
- Through saliva.Pinworms and other types of parasites can be passed from one mother to another in this way, but it is very unlikely.
- Transmissive method of transmission of worms.It is possible to become infected with parasites when attacked by carriers of helminth larvae, such as insects (flea, mosquito, mosquito).As a rule, such a threat exists in countries with a tropical climate.
- Transplacental pathway.If the mother is a carrier, they can pass through the placenta to the baby.
Percutaneous route
With this method of helminth infection, the pathogen's larvae/eggs penetrate the human body through mucous membranes 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 move to the intestines.Another example is when a person becomes infected with schistosomes while swimming in a pond.As a rule, such dangerous parasites live in places with warm weather.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is practically no chance of helminthosis being transmitted through saliva (during kissing).Worms do not live in the mouth, and their eggs do not remain in the initial part of the digestive system.Saliva cannot contain parasite larvae;In addition, it acts as the first barrier against helminths entering the body, so with a kiss they can enter the human body only if special requirements are met:
- one of the partners has just bitten a product contaminated with helminths, but did not swallow it;
- 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 an object with worm eggs on it.
Is it possible to transmit parasites through the bed?
Eggs of pinworms and some other helminths live for several months outside the animal or human body, and in everyday life they can be found on any surface touched by the carrier.You can buy beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.through which you can get parasites.Thus, if one family member is infected, the rest of the household is infected after a short period of time.In order to prevent the spread of helminthosis among relatives and others, everyone should be examined and start treatment in time.
Worm infection of mother and child
Doctors do not exclude the possibility of infection of the fetus with worms through placental tissue.In addition, if a woman is infected with any helminthiasis pathogen while pregnant, 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 moves through the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, the use of many drugs is prohibited, so traditional medicine is often used.
Infection with worms through sexual contact
There is a risk of contracting a helminthic disease during intimacy with a carrier of parasites, especially if we are talking about amoebiasis or giardiasis.Statistics show that sexually transmitted infections are 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.
Can worms be transmitted through containers?
A common variant of parasite infection is household contact.Most often, a person becomes sick with helminthosis by eating food from containers with worm larvae or eggs.A common pattern looks like this: after a visit to the toilet, a child or an adult does not wash their hands well or at all, then touches cutlery, plates and other objects while setting the table.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs enter the food and then directly into the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies sitting first on feces and then on plates.When the first signs of helminthosis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor to undergo an examination and determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you to choose an adequate therapy and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection by parasitic worms
There are many types of parasites that cannot be prevented by vaccination 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 accompanying pathologies.Despite the continuous emergence of new powerful drugs 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:
- strict adherence to hygiene rules;
- thoroughly process meat and fish before consumption;
- provide each family member with personal hygiene items (clothes, toothbrush, towel, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink only clean water;
- eliminate bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual examination of the body for helminthic infestation.