Ways of infection with ascariasis

Askaridoz is a parasitic infection caused by infection with round worms ascaris. It is this disease that belongs to the category of the most common, and especially the infection with ascariasis is diagnosed in childhood.

After the egg enters the human body, it immediately begins its development. Larvae of worms and adults themselves can spread to all organs and systems of the body. Defeat is exposed to the brain, GIT, liver, kidneys, lungs, eyes and heart. Untreated ascariasis in young children can cause serious delays in mental and physical development.

Is it possible to catch ascaridosis from a sick person? No, this way of transferring the parasite is completely excluded. The transmission of a parasite from people infected with ascaris is not possible.

After the mature egg of the helminth enters the human oral cavity, it passes a difficult path during the next two to three weeks, traveling through vessels and internal organs. During this time, the larva emerges from the egg, which settles in the small intestine. Here it continues its development.

The total lifetime of one roundworm is about 12 months. Only one helminth female can lay 240,000 eggs for her life. But they are all immature, and therefore they do not pose any danger to a person. They are not contagious.

For maturing, they need to get into the ground and lie in it for at least 48 days at an air temperature of at least +17 ° C and high humidity. Otherwise, the egg either does not mature at all, or its ripening will last several months. The infection occurs when a person swallows a mature egg.

Scientific research has shown that the causative agent of ascaridosis is transmitted exclusively from person to person. But here worms can enter the body of the egg in several ways.

Possible transmission routes for

The most suitable conditions for parasite infection occur with the onset of spring. It is at this time that people begin to travel to nature and go to their summer cottages. The use of unwashed greens and berries directly from the bed can very well lead to infection with ascarid eggs.

Games in the sand - a common cause of infection with ascarids in childhood

The most common methods of transmission are:

• water;
• contact-household;
• food.

Infection through water

Scientists have proved that one of the main ways of transmission of ascaridosis is water. Eggs of worms that have reached maturity can, even with prolonged exposure to water, remain active, and after penetration into the body of the carrier, development begins.

This way infection occurs often enough. In stagnant waters there is a large accumulation of both cysts and mature eggs. Swallowing parasites can occur during bathing, and when using dishwashing water or vegetables and fruits.

The unsecured water supply can become a risk factor, and then the transmission of parasites can occur when drinking poorly purified water. That's why doctors recommend that water be boiled before use.

Contact-household way of infection

Ways of infection with ascariasis are numerous, but a special place is given to the contact-household. Fertilized egg worm eggs, waiting for their carrier, surround us almost everywhere. The man, without noticing it, brings the eggs of Ascaris into the house. In this case, they can get on both food and household items. Infection with ascarids in this case is almost inevitable.

It is established that infection with ascarids is possible with the help of conventional flies. Insects carry eggs of parasites on their paws and abdomens, sitting down on the remaining unprotected food. Therefore, the contact-household variant of transmission of the pathogen can be called one of the most common methods.

It should be noted that it is almost impossible to prevent infection with ascariasis in this variant. Even strict adherence to the rules of hygiene can not exclude all factors, since it is possible to get the pathogen during a normal handshake( if the person is not too clean and does not follow the elementary rules of personal hygiene).

Helminths are able to cause intestinal obstruction

There is an opinion that you can get ascaridosis during close contact with cats. Scientists have long proven that you can not catch human ascarids from pets. Helminths are adapted for dwelling only in the human body and the cat, as a carrier, does not suit them.

And, nevertheless, representatives of the cat family, not being direct carriers, can become potential carriers of infection. An animal may well bring eggs of worms on a fur and paws.

And when an adult or a child strokes a cat, they automatically transfer the egg to their palm, and then, if their hands were not washed, it gets into the mouth and further into the digestive tract. After that, the cycle of development of the parasite begins.

How to protect yourself from infection? It is recommended to abandon the "kisses" with cats and dogs: you can not give them to lick your face or rub against it with a muzzle. The pet should be washed periodically, and after coming from the street, wipe the paws with a damp cloth.

Nutritional route of infection

Disease can also be transmitted through food. Quite often, ascaridosis is infected by eating raw or semi-raw meat products, dried / salted fish, unwashed fruits and vegetables.

It is also impossible to exclude the food method of obtaining helminthic invasion completely. To catch the cysts of ascaris, it is enough not to bring meat or fish to a ready level. In the raw part of the product, viable eggs of parasites may well survive, which, after reaching a favorable environment, will begin to develop.

What happens after infection?

How are you infected with ascarids, you now know, but what happens in the human body? After swallowing a mature egg, its active development begins: a larva soon emerges from it. It feeds on helminth glucose and other essential substances that it receives from incoming food.

The development of ascarids passes in several stages

The worm can freely migrate, settling in any organs. Ascaride is detected not only in the intestine, they can parasitize in the lungs, liver, ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas.

Ascarids are dangerous not only because the sick person receives less than the nutrients they need. Parasites during migration cause significant damage to the organs, which in some cases leads to irreversible changes.

Rotting products of vital activity of helminths cause strong poisoning of the body, which is accompanied by deterioration of the immune defense. When there is a characteristic symptomatology - skin rashes, itching, cough, accompanied by abnormalities in the work of the digestive tract - it is recommended to visit a doctor and take the appropriate tests.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with modern medicines, which effectively destroy adult individuals, larvae and eggs. In most cases, hospitalization is not required for a sick person and therapy is carried out at home.

Prevention of infection

The disease is transmitted most often in a contact and household way. To avoid infection, it is enough to follow the elementary rules:

• after returning from the street, you must wash your hands with soap;
• in the house must be kept clean;
• food must necessarily pass a qualitative heat treatment, and fruits and vegetables are a must for hot water.

The main way of infection is direct contact with the soil, since the mature eggs of helminths are located exactly in it. Everyone is at risk, regardless of age.

Avoiding infection with ascarids will help to observe basic rules of personal hygiene

Do not forget that ascaridosis is an infectious pathology that can be diagnosed in both an adult and a child. Widespread spread of helminthic invasion is due to increased survivability of parasites - they can survive in even the most unfavorable conditions for them.

Infection can occur in completely unexpected places: it is difficult to protect yourself from infection. And if the problem, nevertheless, has arisen, it is necessary to get qualified advice and help in the very near future. Get rid of parasites immediately, without waiting for the development of serious complications.