There are enough helminths on our planet: 300,000 species of worms in vertebrates, of which 300 species in humans (according to other sources, 12,000 species).
Most of these parasites are found in tropical regions, so in our area they get during holidays in hot countries (Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand).
The most common worms in humans on our planet are:
- pinworms (1.2 billion infected people);
- hookworms (900 million infected people);
- Vlagoslav (700 million infected people).
According to some estimates, 24% of the world's population (or 1.5 billion people) is infected with parasites.
Schistosomes can be contracted in Africa and Asia by swimming in local waters or drinking water from local springs.
Schistosomes enter the body through the genitourinary organs.
On the islands of Tahiti, Fiji, Mozambique, in the state of Goa (in India), in Egypt, you can become infected with filariae. The main carriers of these parasites are mosquitoes (native mosquitoes).
You can also become infected with a fluke in our latitudes when consuming raw fish, as well as uncooked, sushi, caviar, dried and salted fish.
The fluke is found in China, in Japan, in the Amur region, in Primorye, in the Volga, in the Dnieper, in the Kama, in the Urals.
Signs of fluke infection are considered unpleasant feelings in the liver area, as well as a rash.
The consumption of foods such as bloody steaks carries other threats, such as trichinella (trichinellosis), bovine and pork tapeworm.
Trichinella enter the muscle tissue and can cause death.
Sources of infection with roundworms and pinworms can be unwashed vegetables and fruits, especially greens (from the southern regions). For this reason, it is recommended to wash vegetables and fruits before consumption.
In the tropics, you can not walk barefoot and for the risk of penetration through the skin of the feet of helminth larvae. Walk only in slippers and sit on a sun lounger.
It turns out that some worms also have positive properties: they can improve immunity, are associated with the synthesis of certain vitamins, and can improve digestion.
Intestinal worms are considered safe, but parasites that live in other organs are especially dangerous: in the liver, in the eyes, in the lungs, and even in the brain.
The larger the worm, the calmer it behaves.
The main signs of helminthiasis are: high fever, urticaria, redness, itching, rash on the body, chills, bloating and abdominal pain.
With such symptoms, it is recommended for treatment to a parasitologist.
You should think about infection with worms in such situations (if you have visited different parts of the world):
- you ate various local dubious delicacies;
- swam in hotel pools in which the water was not chlorinated;
- walking barefoot on the beach;
- lying naked on the sand, grass;
- touched local dogs and cats.