A dangerous foe of our body - ascaris human

Helminthiasis refers to diseases caused by worms (helminths). One of the most common diseases of such a plan is ascariasis, the causative agent of which is ascaris human. In countries with a humid tropical climate, this disease affects more than 90% of the total population. In Russia, this figure is naturally much lower, but ascaridosis today can be called the scourge of our time.

Infection with ascarids occurs when the mature eggs of worms enter the human stomach, which are found on dirty fruits, vegetables, berries, unwashed hands. Carriers of eggs of human roundworm serve also street and domestic animals.

The causative agent of ascaridosis - ascarid human - belongs to the class of nematodes (roundworms), the female of which reaches at times a length of forty or more centimeters. These helminths usually lay their eggs in the ground, where the larva forms. It eventually molts and transforms into an invasive form that retains ability to live more than six months.

Approximately the same way, the development of ascarids in the human body occurs. After a while after the penetration of mature eggs of ascarids, the larvae appear actively penetrate the walls of the intestine into the blood and are carried throughout the body. The bloodstream delivers them to the liver, and then into the lungs, bronchi, and trachea, from where they come into pharynx together with phlegm, and then back into the stomach. The terminal station of this long migration is the small intestine, where the human ascaris usually lives. Having special suckers at the head end of the body, an adult specimen attaches to the walls of the intestine and sucks out all the nutrients it needs. The average lifetime of this helminth in the human body is usually about a year. During this time the female manages to postpone an incredible number of eggs that are excreted from the body together with feces.

The existence of such a helminth as the human ascaris was heard by many. However, not everyone knows how dangerous it is for our body. In the development of ascariasis there are two clinical stages: initial (migratory) and late (so-called intestinal). In the early stages, the patient usually does not experience any particular ailments. In some cases, however, there may be pain behind the sternum, a cough with bloody sputum, a slight increase in body temperature.

In the intestinal stage of the ascarid disease, the human is already causing more severe symptoms: severe abdominal pain, decreased or complete loss of appetite, weakness, nausea (up to vomiting), constipation or diarrhea. Helminths can clog the bile ducts, which leads to liver abscesses, jaundice development, and also cause intestinal obstruction.

In addition, in the process of its life ascaris, human secretes a variety of toxins that can cause a variety of allergic reactions in the body. Absorbing nutrients, these helminths contribute to a decrease in immunity, cause dysbacteriosis of the intestine, reduce its motor secretory functions.

In the disease caused by helminth "ascarid human", the treatment is usually carried out using special medications - decaris, piperazine, pyrantel. In case of complications from the gastrointestinal tract (obstruction, peritonitis), surgical intervention is indicated.

It must always be remembered that the human Ascaris is not just an ordinary helminth, but a real enemy of our health, and the best way to fight it is to meet all the necessary hygiene requirements and carry out regular preventive measures.