Worms are a common cause of poor health, sleep disorders, and digestive problems.Infection with parasites in children or adults can cause a range of different, seemingly unrelated symptoms, and to prevent this, you need to understand 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 drugs, so it is best to avoid larval infections.
what is worm
There are many types of worms, divided into two categories - nematodes (roundworms) and flatworms.Worms are parasitic organisms that live in animals or humans and affect various organs and tissues, causing specific symptoms and general health problems.Worms vary in size: from a few millimeters to tens of meters.Worms are contagious and their presence in the body presents the same symptoms as other diseases (intestinal, liver, pancreatic, etc.).
Where do parasites come from?The development of internal parasites is often associated with inadequate hand hygiene, but this is not the only way it is spread.Different types of parasites are spread from one person to another in various ways.Pathologies caused by helminths that are transmitted from person to person are called contact helminthiasis.
Today, there are dozens of known pathogens of parasitic diseases, but despite this, their infection processes are generally the same.Parasite eggs and larvae can enter the body with food, water, sexual intercourse, etc.Another common method of infection is ingestion of mature individuals or body parts of the worm.After entering the body, the worms begin to grow and some of them reproduce.Some types of parasites are still in their larval stage and are covered by a protective capsule.
Any type of helminthiasis is characterized by active progression, and lack of adequate treatment will lead to worsening of the patient's health status.Additionally, without proper treatment, a person can become a source of helminthiasis transmission.The most commonly diagnosed helminth infections are ascariasis and pinworms.Roundworms and pinworms have an effective protection - a sticky shell, so they are firmly fixed in the organs.
Can worms spread from person to person?
Even if all hygiene rules are strictly followed, it is not possible to protect yourself 100% from worm infection.However, this can reduce the risk of parasites entering the body by about 60%.Can parasites be spread from person to person?Despite popular belief, animals are not the greatest risk for contracting worms.Parasite infection is most common through person-to-person contact, and some types of worms are only spread this way.
At-risk groups include preschoolers and children in primary school.This is due to the child's still fragile immune system, daily presence in public places, the child's physical characteristics, and the general habit of biting nails.Parents should understand how helminthiasis is spread - this will prevent their babies from becoming infected.
How do worms spread?
There are several main ways parasites are spread.How do parasitic infections occur?Worms spread in the following ways:
- through droplets in the air.In this case, people usually ingest the worm eggs, fragments or larvae by eating dirty vegetables/fruit (it is extremely important to wash the product thoroughly before consumption), drinking alcohol, swimming in contaminated water, or eating meat or fish that carries the parasite.
- For family contacts.These worms lay immature eggs that leave their host without causing harm to others for several weeks.However, the larvae can remain under fingernails for long periods of time and can be spread through handshakes, other personal contact, or shared sanitary products and underwear.
- Through saliva.Pinworms and other types of parasites can be transferred from one host to another in this way, but this is extremely unlikely.
- How worms spread.Parasite infection is possible when attacked by worm larvae carriers such as insects (fleas, mosquitoes, mosquitoes).Typically, this danger exists in countries with tropical climates.
- Transplacental route.They can be passed to the baby through the placenta if the mother is a carrier.
percutaneous route
With this method of helminthiasis infection, the larvae/eggs of the pathogen penetrate the body through the mucous membranes or skin.The transdermal route involves attack on humans 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 became infected with schistosomiasis while swimming in a pond.Usually, this dangerous parasite lives in places with hot weather.
Can parasites be spread through kissing?
It is almost impossible to contract helminthiasis through saliva (when kissing).Worms do not live in the mouth, nor do their eggs stay in the initial part of the digestive tract.Saliva cannot contain parasite larvae; moreover, it is the first barrier against the entry of parasites into the body, so parasites can enter the body through kissing only if certain requirements are met:
- One of the partners had just bitten but not swallowed the worm-contaminated product;
- The woman kissed the palm of the child who had just been playing in the sandpit, and then kissed her husband;
- Before kissing, one of the partners touched an object with insect eggs on it with their lips.
Is it possible for parasites to be transmitted through the bed?
The eggs of pinworms and some other worms can survive outside the body of an animal or human body for months, and they can be found on any surface that the carrier has come into contact with in everyday life.You can contract parasites through beds, dishes, doors, furniture, etc.Therefore, if one family member becomes infected, within a short period of time, others in the household will become infected as well.Everyone should get tested and start treatment promptly to avoid further spread of helminthes among loved ones and those around them.
Worm infection in mother and child
Doctors do not rule out the possibility that the worms can infect the fetus through placental tissue.Additionally, if a woman becomes infected with any helminthiasis pathogen during pregnancy, the risk of the child becoming ill is very high.Parasites are unlikely to enter the baby through breast milk.Worms can enter the baby during delivery as the baby passes through the birth canal.Parasitic infections in mother and child require complex treatment, and many drugs are prohibited, so traditional medicines are often used.
Getting worms through sexual contact
There is a risk of contracting helminthiasis in close contact with parasite carriers, especially when we talk about amebiasis or giardiasis.Statistics show that infection through sexual contact is more common among people with homosexual sexual orientation.Generally speaking, Giardia and amoeba live in the intestines and organs of the genitourinary system, so protective measures such as birth control pills do not protect healthy people from the disease.
Can worm infection occur through cutlery?
A common form of parasitic infection is through household exposure.Usually, a person gets helminthes from eating dishes that contain worm larvae or eggs.The pattern of transmission is as follows: children or adults fail to wash their hands well or at all after using the toilet, and then touch cutlery, plates and other items while setting the table.
Due to insufficient sanitation, eggs end up in food and then directly into the digestive system.Flies that land first on the feces and then on the plate can promote infection through the plate.At the first signs of helminthiasis, you should not self-medicate but should see your doctor immediately to get checked out and determine the type of parasite.Experts will help you choose the appropriate treatment and prevent complications.
Measures to prevent parasitic infections
There are many types of parasites that cannot be prevented through vaccination or other preventive measures.It is also impossible to ignore the possibility of helminthiasis, since over the years it has become a widespread problem and often leads to the development of serious accompanying conditions.Although new and effective drugs against worms are emerging, the parasites adapt to the toxic substances and are still spread from person to person.
Due to the spread of the problem, measures to prevent parasitic infections are appropriate and mandatory:
- Strictly observe hygiene rules;
- Meat and fish are processed thoroughly before consumption;
- Provide personal hygiene products (towels, toothbrushes, washcloths, etc.) for each family member;
- Support the immune system with vitamins;
- Drink only clean water;
- eradicate bad habits;
- Reduce your intake of sweets (parasites love them);
- Have your body checked for worm infections once a year.