Helminths are a common cause of poor health, sleep disturbances and digestive problems.Infecting a child or adult with parasites causes a set of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to avoid this, you need to know how worms are spread from person to person.Parasitic diseases caused by worms can usually be treated, but this treatment involves the use of toxic medications.It is therefore best to avoid infection by larvae.
What are worms
There are many types of helminths, divided into two categories: nematodes (roundworms) and tapeworms.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.The size of the worms varies: from a few millimeters to tens of meters.Helminths are contagious and their presence in the body results in 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 of transmission.Different types of parasites are transmitted from person to person in all kinds of ways.Pathologies caused by the spread of worms between people are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, several dozen agents responsible for parasitic diseases are known.Despite this, the process of infection with them is approximately the same.Eggs and larvae of parasites can enter the body with food, water, sexual intercourse, etc.Another common method of infection is the ingestion of mature individuals or fragments of the worm body.After entering the body, helminths begin to develop and some of them multiply.Some types of parasites remain in the larval stage and are covered in 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.In addition, without proper treatment, a person becomes a source of 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 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 helminths.However, this reduces the risk of parasites entering the body by around 60%.Are parasites transmitted from person to person?Despite popular opinion, animals do not pose the greatest risk of becoming infected with helminths.The route of infection with parasites through person-to-person contact is the most common.Additionally, certain types of worms are only transmitted this way.
The risk group includes preschoolers 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 common habit of biting their nails.Parents should know how helminthiasis is transmitted - this will prevent infection of the baby.
How are worms transmitted?
There are several ways parasites spread.How does helminth infection occur?Worms are transmitted in the following ways:
- By droplets suspended in the air.In this case, a person usually swallows eggs, fragments or larvae of worms while eating dirty vegetables/fruits (it is extremely important to wash produce well before consuming it), drinking, swimming in contaminated water, eating meat or fish carrying the parasite.
- For family contacts.The worms lay immature eggs which, once left their host, remain harmless to others for a few weeks.However, the larvae can remain under the nails for a long time and can be transmitted through handshaking, 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 manner, but it is extremely unlikely.
- Transmissible method 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
With this method of infection with helminthiasis, the larvae / eggs of the pathogen enter the human body through the 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 infected with schistosomes while swimming in a pond.Typically, these dangerous pests live in places with warm weather.
Are worms transmitted through kissing?
There is practically no chance of helminthiasis being infected through saliva (during kissing).Worms do not live in the mouth, nor do their eggs linger 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 without swallowing, 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 his lips with an object on which worm eggs were located.
Is it possible to catch parasites from the bed?
The 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 surfaces touched by the carrier.You can become infected with parasites through the bed, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.So, if one member of the family gets infected, the rest of the family gets infected after a short time.Everyone should get tested and start treatment in a timely manner so as not to continue to spread helminthiasis among loved ones and those 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 a 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 delivery, when the baby comes out through the birth canal.Helminthic infestation of mother and child requires complex treatment, while the use of many drugs is prohibited, therefore traditional medicine is often used.
Worm infection through sexual contact
There is a risk of contracting 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 with a homosexual sexual orientation.As a rule, Giardia and amoebae 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 parasitic infection is through household contact.Often a person gets sick with helminthiasis by eating dishes containing worm larvae or eggs.The spread pattern looks like this: after going to the toilet, a child or adult does not wash their hands well or not at all, and then, setting the table, touches cutlery, plates and other objects.
Due to insufficient hygiene, eggs end up on food and then directly in the digestive system.Infection through dishes can be facilitated by flies that first settle on the feces and then on the plates.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor to get tested and determine the type of parasite.A specialist will help you choose adequate treatment and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent infection with parasitic worms
There are many varieties of parasites against which it is impossible to protect through vaccination or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the likelihood of helminthiasis, because over the years they become a widespread problem and often lead to the development of serious concomitant pathologies.Despite the constant appearance 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 with parasitic worms are appropriate and mandatory:
- strictly respect hygiene rules;
- subjecting meat and fish to careful processing before consumption;
- provide each family member with personal hygiene items (washcloth, toothbrush, towel, etc.);
- support the immune system with vitamins;
- drink exclusively clean water;
- eradicate bad habits;
- reduce the consumption of sweets (parasites love them);
- undergo an annual examination of the body for helminthic infestation.