How to recognize a parasitic infection

Helminthiasis, or worm infection, is a common parasitic disease that can progress asymptomatically or masquerade as other diseases. Symptoms of helminthiasis are diverse and depend on the type of parasite, its localization, and the duration of the invasion. Let's consider the main signs of worm infection in humans.

Helminthiasis is often detected by chance during routine examinations or when a person seeks medical attention with complaints of general malaise. The absence of apparent symptoms does not guarantee the absence of parasites, so it is important to know the key signs and seek medical help in a timely manner.

General symptoms of intoxication

During their life processes, worms release toxic substances that poison the human body. This leads to the development of the following general symptoms:

• chronic fatigue and weakness, reduced work capacity;
• headaches and dizziness;
• increased irritability, sleep disturbances;
• subfebrile temperature (37.0-37.5 °C) without visible causes;
• allergic reactions: skin rash, urticaria, itching of the skin.

These symptoms are often attributed to stress, overexertion, or seasonal diseases, however, their combination, especially in the presence of risk factors, should be alarming.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Since most helminths reside in the intestines, the gastrointestinal tract is primarily affected. Among the typical manifestations:

• abdominal pain, often in the umbilical area, dull or cramping in nature;
• nausea, sometimes vomiting;
• flatulence, abdominal distension;
• diarrhea or, conversely, chronic constipation;
• change in appetite (increase or sudden decrease);
• weight loss despite normal nutrition.

In the case of a long-term course of helminthiasis, deficiency states may develop related to the disturbance of nutrient absorption, leading to anemia, hypovitaminosis, and overall exhaustion of the body.

Specific signs

Some symptoms are characteristic of certain types of worms. These signs help the doctor in making a preliminary diagnosis:

• intense itching in the anal area, increasing at night — a classic sign of enterobiasis (infestation with pinworms);
• dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pain — may indicate the migration of ascaris larvae through the lungs (ascaridosis);
• jaundice of the skin and sclera, pain in the right hypochondrium — possible sign of liver and bile duct damage (e.g., in opisthorchiasis);
• skin itching, rashes, edema — often observed in toxocariasis and other tissue helminthiasis;
• grinding teeth in sleep (bruxism) — although this sign is not strictly specific, it often accompanies helminth infections in children.

Signs of nervous system damage

Neurotoxins released by helminths can affect the central nervous system. In people with worms, the following symptoms are often observed:

• insomnia or superficially anxious sleep;
• increased anxiety, depressive states;
• reduced concentration and memory impairment;
• in children — delayed psychomotor development, capriciousness, crying.

Diagnosis of helminthiasis

The following methods of diagnosis are used to detect worms:

• microscopic examination of feces for worm eggs (coproparascopy);
• swab for enterobiasis (presence of pinworms);
• serological blood tests (ELISA) for antibodies to specific types of parasites;
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting helminth DNA;
• instrumental methods: ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy if necessary.

Important note about the accuracy of tests

A negative result of a single feces analysis does not guarantee the absence of infection. Helminth eggs are excreted in feces not every day, but at certain intervals. Therefore, for an accurate result, it is recommended to take a feces analysis at least three times with an interval of a few days.

Treatment of helminthiasis

The appointment of anthelmintic drugs should be carried out exclusively by a doctor after confirmation of the diagnosis. Self-medication can be dangerous, as different types of worms require the use of different medicinal agents. Moreover, many anthelmintic drugs have contraindications and side effects. Treatment usually includes:

• taking specific anthelmintic drugs (e.g., albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel, and others);
• desensitizing therapy to reduce allergic reactions;
• restoring intestinal flora with probiotics;
• repeat control analysis after the course of treatment.

Prevention of helminth infection

Preventing helminthiasis is much easier than treating it. The main measures of prevention include:

• thorough hand washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet;
• consuming only washed vegetables, fruits, and greens;
• adequate thermal processing of meat and fish;
• boiling or filtering drinking water;
• regular wet cleaning in living spaces;
• periodic deworming of domestic animals;
• preventive courses of anthelmintic drugs for children in organized groups as prescribed by a doctor.

If any suspicious symptoms appear, especially if they are combined with risk factors (contact with animals, consumption of raw or insufficiently heat-treated food, travel to tropical countries), it is necessary to seek a therapist, an infectious disease specialist, or a parasitologist. Timely diagnosis and correctly prescribed treatment will allow you to avoid serious complications and maintain health.

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