Can worms give a fever: symptoms in humans

• a sudden allergy in the form of a cough, runny nose or skin rashes, especially if they have not previously appeared;
• gastrointestinal problems: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting. Are of a periodic nature;
• decreases or vice versa increases appetite with a sharp change in weight;
• chronic fatigue develops with a syndrome of constant drowsiness and lack of concentration.

An increase in temperature during infection with helminthiasis occurs more often in children than in adults, which is interpreted by the poorly developed immune system of children and the lack of stable immunity to external stimuli. In view of this, it is recommended that children be regularly examined for the presence of helminths in order to reduce the risk of developing chronic forms of this disease.

Alas, often we, as parents, misinterpret the symptom of fever in a child, considering it, due to lack of information, to be the beginning of a cold and give various medications without consulting a doctor. As a result, it leads to serious complications and pathologies of the baby's organs (that is, it is dangerous).

The reasons for the increase in temperature during infection with worms

From worms, there can be a temperature of 36.9-38 degrees and rarely higher. The temperature for worms in adults and children rises for several reasons.

1. Inflammation at the site of tissue damage... Once in the gastrointestinal tract, the parasites "eat" into the intestinal wall. The human brain receives a signal from the damaged tissue and starts the inflammatory process. Because of this, the temperature rises, but it does not kill worms. The tissue heals, but the worms continue to irritate the intestines - the inflammation develops into a chronic one.
2. Blockage of the bile ducts... Some parasites are not content with staying in the intestines, but are sent to the liver and gallbladder. There, worms grow and multiply, blocking the ducts. The result is cholangitis - inflammation of the bile ducts and cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder. A person has unpleasant sensations in the liver area, the temperature rises, nausea, appetite deteriorates, stomach aches and jaundice develops. Not all symptoms are necessarily present at the same time. In extreme cases, a purulent liver abscess begins, which leads to a high temperature.
3. Anemia due to helminthic invasion. Worms literally drink human blood. As a result, some infected people have fever. This is because a lack of hemoglobin in the blood leads to hypoxia (low oxygen content) of tissues, including the brain: then metabolism and thermoregulation are impaired. After curing anemia and expelling the worms, the temperature will return to normal by itself.
4. Intoxication waste products of worms and the decomposition of their corpses is another possible reason for an increase in temperature. Some people feel this intoxication, others do not. It all depends on the strength of the immune system, the type of parasites and the lifestyle of the infected person.
5. Occasionally, as a result of helminthic invasion, autoimmune processes... When infected with intestinal lamblia, roundworms, strongyloids and dirofilariae, people develop atopic eczema. In such diseases, the immune system attacks its own cells, perceiving them as foreign, which causes inflammation and fever.
6. The entry of worms and larvae into vital organs - a dangerous phenomenon that threatens death. Numerous cases of migration of parasites through the bloodstream into the lungs, heart and brain are known. There, the larvae grow into full-fledged individuals. The person develops cardiac, pulmonary, and cerebral symptoms. Sometimes, on x-rays, worms are mistaken for tumors, operations are prescribed, during which kilograms of adults and larvae are pumped out of the affected organ. In the video below, doctors pump out worms from the heart.

Pinworms: signs and symptoms

Pinworm is the most common intestinal parasite. Despite the fact that it is not dangerous, it is capable of making a person's life unpleasant. Typical pinworms are persistent itching around the anus, especially at night.

All signs of the presence of pinworms appear at night, causing sleep disturbances. A person feels tired and irritable during the day. If we are talking about a child, his parents also feel anxiety along with him, who cannot determine the cause of such a condition for a long time, because they do not know whether worms can cause such manifestations.

Pinworms are among the parasites that are more than easy to get infected with. The infection is transmitted by the consumption of eggs, most often by licking the fingers on which they are present. Therefore, this disease is also called dirty hands disease.

Could there be a high temperature from worms? Yes - pinworms are able to cause not only mild subfebrile condition, but also a feverish state. However, such manifestations are not long-term, and the person usually attributes the blame to the common cold.

The main signs of pinworms, these include the following:

1. Insomnia, restlessness, the person often wakes up during the night.
2. Persistent itching in the anus, most often at night.
3. Irritability and nervousness during the day due to poor sleep.
4. Women and girls may have discharge and symptoms of bladder inflammation, as eggs can infect the genitourinary system.
5. Abdominal pain may occur. Because pinworms can irritate the cecum, some symptoms can mimic inflammation of the caecum. A person, not knowing whether worms can give such signs, rushes to the doctor, who determines the presence of parasites.
6. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, and fever.

Symptoms of helminthic invasion

Body temperature with worms is not the main symptom. Other signs are more common, although infection may be asymptomatic. It is worthwhile to be wary in the presence of such manifestations, in addition to heat:

• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• cramps in the intestines;
• teeth grinding at night;
• losing weight against the background of increased appetite;
• loss of appetite;
• pallor of the skin;
• bruising under the eyes;
• skin rashes;
• jaundice;
• itching in the anus;
• cystitis;
• discomfort in the intestines and liver;
• headaches;
• desire to eat inedible, darkening in the eyes (signs of anemia);
• weakness, fatigue;
• irritability, bad mood;
• fears, tearfulness.

Output

Body temperature can rise already in the initial stages of infection with worms. The more toxins worms release into the body, the more the temperature rises; at later stages, other symptoms of infection may join it. You should not get involved in self-medication, but you can try to temporarily get rid of the symptoms of the disease.

Medicines cannot often be taken without a doctor's recommendation, so you shouldn't delay going to the doctor anyway. If there are symptoms that indicate the possibility of infection of the body with parasites, it is best to consult a specialist as soon as possible and begin a full-fledged antiparasitic treatment. With the extermination of parasites, all unpleasant symptoms will disappear.

What parasites cause fever

The following types of helminths are more likely to cause temperature.

Giardia

Giardia parasites in the small intestine and bile ducts with the liver. Parasites cause bloating, allergic reactions, blockage of the bile ducts with corresponding symptoms (jaundice, hepatic colic, tightness of the abdominal muscles under the navel, etc.), as well as nervous disorders.

Roundworm

These helminths live in the intestines and soft tissues. In children, symptoms of ascariasis are often absent; in adults, the larvae reach the pulmonary capillaries and damage the alveoli (pulmonary vesicles). As a result, coughing, sputum develop and the temperature rises to subfebrile levels (from 37 to 38 degrees).

Trichinella

These parasites cause muscle pain, swelling and fever up to 37 degrees and a little higher.

Pinworms

Rarely, due to pinworm infestation, an elevated temperature of up to 37 degrees is observed. Most often, the disease is asymptomatic. Pinworms affect children more than adults.

Hepatic trematodes

These worms infect the liver and pancreas. In the acute phase, immediately after infection, the patient develops urticaria, aching body, vomiting and diarrhea. The temperature may rise to 38-39 degrees. In the chronic stage, there is no hyperthermia.

Symptoms of the effects of helminths on the human body

Worms appear in the form of an embryo or larva, adults do not show signs of vital activity. Parasites move through the body through the blood system, settle in the lungs, intestines, and other internal organs. The immune system produces symptoms that determine the presence of the disease in the early stages.

The dominant types of symptoms:

• Dry cough for a long time;
• Asthma attacks;
• Rash and itching on the skin, any allergic rash;
• Pain in the abdomen;
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea;
• Constipation or diarrhea;
• Dysbacteriosis;
• Anemia;
• Fatigue;
• Increased body temperature.

Subfebrile temperature with worms

Low-grade fever and worms are phenomena that do not always accompany each other. Therefore, when diagnosing helminthic invasion, one cannot rely on this symptom; one must focus on a set of signs and make analyzes.

More often, a slightly elevated temperature in itself does not cause infection with helminths. The bar of the thermometer jumps at those stages when the parasites have caused significant harm to the body and a secondary disease has developed. In this situation, the temperature is often from 37 to 38 degrees. It is constantly supported by a pathological process (inflammation, anemia, etc.), that is, it can be prolonged: from one month to several years.

When infected with worms in the early days, the temperature can also rise (37-38 degrees and above): the body turns on protection to drive out the worms. Worm infestations are characterized by the fact that an acute immune reaction ends quickly, after which the parasites feel more or less calm in the host's body.

How to bring down the temperature?

You should not bring down the temperature if it does not reach critical levels or does not continue for a long time. High temperature helps the body to cope with the disease, but in any case, the disease must be treated.

If the temperature is not very high (does not exceed 37-38 degrees), it is worth drinking more water, it is advisable to maintain bed rest. A cloth, towel or napkin soaked in cold water can be applied to the forehead. This is usually enough to relieve the patient's condition.

If the temperature does not drop for a long time and interferes with normal activity, it can be brought down with any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include the following funds:

• Ibuprofen (Nurofen);
• Aspirin;
• Paracetamol;
• Analgin and others.

You should not take such medications often, as they can negatively affect the digestive tract and the body as a whole. If the temperature rises frequently, this is an obvious reason to see a doctor.

Important! If you do not start treatment for helminthic lesions, the temperature and other symptoms of the disease will constantly return.

Temperature for worms in children

Temperature from worms in a child is common. Children are more likely to receive not only helminthiasis, but also temperature when infected with worms. This happens because the child's immunity is not fully formed and cannot withstand the invasion as effectively as the adult's body.

The reasons for the increase in temperature to 37 and above with worms in children are in the inflammatory process that occurs in the body of a little man. A cold or acute respiratory viral infection immediately falls under suspicion - and the parents try to stop the fever. Mom stuffs the child with pills, without understanding the reason, and harms the fragile body.

If the mark on the thermometer shows increased readings, put the child to bed, let's drink a lot and do not force him to eat, keep the room high in humidity and +20 degrees. In case of heat, apply compresses of vinegar and water on the forehead: this relieves the condition. But giving antipyretics is not worth it. It is necessary to bring down the temperature, regardless of its cause, starting from 38.5-39 degrees for healthy children and 38-38.5 degrees for babies who do not tolerate it well or have heart diseases.

While the child is in a stable condition, call a doctor and get tested. If helminthic invasion is confirmed, then proceed to etching the helminths after consulting a pediatrician.

You need to remove helminths as soon as possible, because their presence in the body reduces the child's immunity, which makes him susceptible to other diseases. In addition, be sure to check children for parasites before vaccination, because in a number of circumstances, post-vaccination immunity does not develop due to worms.

The body's response to helminthiasis

Some parasites directly cause an increase in body temperature. These include, for example, roundworms. By affecting the intestines, they not only weaken the immune system, but also lead to complications.

In order to find out the cause of the increase in body temperature and prescribe treatment, you first need to determine what caused it. Usually helminthiases have the following types of effects:

Toxic

It is associated with the release of poison by worms into the human body. These toxins are absorbed and carried through the circulatory system to all organs, leading to infection. In this case, an increase in temperature is observed. The greatest danger in this regard is represented by flukes and roundworms. Especially babies suffer from this. Since the body has not yet developed a protective barrier in children.

Symptoms: unreasonable tearfulness and moodiness, nervous and restless sleep

Mechanical

Parasites eat the tissues of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and internal organs. They strive to pave a direct path for themselves to the circulatory system and destroy all obstacles in the way. So helminths provide themselves with a source of food and a means of transportation. The resulting wounds become inflamed, which leads to the appearance of fever.

Parasitic

This is due to the basic principles of the life of worms. Having settled in the human body, they grow, actively develop and begin to multiply. At each stage, they need to eat. All the nutrients the parasites get from the body of their host.

Their activity in the intestines can lead to a lack of vitamin B12, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system and the production of blood cells, insomnia, and manifestations of chronic fatigue. These symptoms are most pronounced in children.

Allergic reaction

A very great danger to human health is the process of decomposition of the helminth after its death, which takes place in the intestines. The toxins released during this cause an increase in the temperature of the body, as its protective reaction to the appearance of focal infection.

When there are many parasites, they form specific plaques that block the intestines and thereby create obstruction of the stool. This leads to the fact that the dead worms begin to decompose, gradually poisoning the body.

Allergic reactions: most commonly a rash, an allergic cough, or a runny nose

Dysbacteriosis

Worms kill all useful microflora in the intestines. This poses a significant danger, especially for children. The dysbiosis caused by them leads to:

• Stool disorder;
• Poor absorption of vitamins and minerals;
• Disruptions in the functioning of the intestines.

The observed development of colonies of harmful bacteria is the cause of the onset of inflammatory processes. The consequences of dysbiosis are nausea, lack of desire to eat, refusal to eat.

Useful video: How dangerous are helminths?

Do I need to bring down the temperature with worms?

When the body temperature rises significantly, most people immediately take antipyretic pills. But this should not be done in case of helminthic invasion. Medicines only weaken the forces of the body, preventing them from fighting on their own. Until the moment, until you finally get rid of the worms, the temperature may rise again with the end of the antipyretic effect. If the worms and temperature in your case are interrelated phenomena, you first need to remove the parasites: treat not the symptom, but the cause.

It is not always easy to diagnose worms based on biological materials. Often, the analysis of feces and other environments, even from the tenth time, shows nothing, and in the meantime, the patient becomes worse. In addition, not all types of worms end up in the feces.

Worms in the human brain

An indirect analysis is a detailed blood test: an increase in the level of eosinophils with low hemoglobin indicates invasion. It is also recommended to carry out an immunoassay test that detects antibodies to the eggs of the worms.

Some people in an uncertain situation turn to unconventional diagnostics. We are talking about the method of Voll and others. Traditional doctors criticize such methods as quackery. However, the experience of the authors of the site shows that with the competent approach of the doctor, it is possible to determine the helminths and their specific type in this way, even when the analyzes of feces and other biological materials did not give anything.

The second option for action in an uncertain situation with suspected invasion is to start treatment without positive test results. For this, either chemistry is used (it harms the liver, but it lasts for 1-2 days), or natural preparations (herbs, garlic, etc.). If, after a course of treatment, the patient is recovering, it means that parasites were the cause of his poor condition.

Effective drugs for the treatment of worms

For roundworms or nematodes

With this type of parasite, you can take the following medicines:

1. Albendazole. It has a pronounced antiparasitic activity, exerting a negative effect on the cell membrane of parasitic organisms. If the dosage is incorrect, it can have a toxic effect on the internal organs of a person, mainly on the liver. Recommended for use in severe stages of helminthic invasions. The duration of the course of treatment depends on the degree of damage to the internal organs.
2. Carbendacim. A drug with a unique effect on parasites. The active substance suppresses the possibility of worms to reproduce.The lack of reproductive functions leads to the gradual death of the parasites. The medicine is prescribed for the treatment of children and pulmonary lesions.
3. Pirantel. Effective tablets that are widely used to treat helminthic infestations. They have not only antiparasitic, but also laxative properties. They are widely used to control roundworms at various stages of invasion development. The course of treatment is 4 to 8 weeks.

For tapeworms or cestodes

Parasites are effectively destroyed with the following medicines:

• Niclosamine. It is prescribed mainly for adults. Children are advised to take it under the strict supervision of doctors. It is important to correctly calculate the dosage to prevent migration of cestodes.
• Mepacrine. The drug has a wide range of side effects, therefore, self-medication with its help is unacceptable. Mepacrine has pronounced fungicidal properties, acting on parasites at the cellular level. It is recommended to take in combination with drugs with laxative effects.

For flatworms or flukes

Parasitic infestations caused by this type of worm can be treated using any of the drugs below:

1. Perchlorethylene. The drug is indispensable for the elimination of parasitic infestations caused by flatworms. The active substance has a paralyzing effect on the worms, which eliminates the likelihood of disease progression. The drug has general laxative properties, which allows you to remove decay products from the human body during treatment.
2. Praziquantel. The medicine has a pronounced anthelmintic effect. With its help, it is possible to eliminate parasitic diseases at various stages of progression. The drug is used to treat parasitic lesions of the body in the early stages of progression. In large dosages, it is prescribed for serious stages of infection.
3. Chloxyl. It is prescribed for adults and children from 3 years of age. It is recommended to take for the treatment of worms only as recommended by a doctor. The drug has a wide range of side effects, so it can have a negative effect on internal organs and systems.

As a prophylaxis of helminthic invasions, folk remedies can be used. Among the most effective are garlic, onions and medicinal herbs such as wormwood, celandine and chamomile as an antiseptic.

Treatment of helminthic invasion

In the treatment of worms in adults and children, the substance albendazole has proven itself (contained in the preparations "Vormil", "Zelmer", "Aldazol", etc.). It is effective against most types of human parasites. Pharmacies also sell other drugs that are directed against certain types of worms. But albendazole has the broadest spectrum of action.

It is advisable when using the drug to find out what type of worms the patient has, because in each case, the dosage is individual. However, if the drug is taken prophylactically, then it is done once in a dose of 400 mg.

It is not always possible to kill all worms using synthetic chemistry. Parasites have remedies. Nevertheless, albendazole allows at least temporarily relieve a serious condition with helminthic invasion and restore the body's strength. Adult worms will die during a chemical attack, only encapsulated larvae can survive. When conditions are favorable, the larvae will shed their shells and begin to reproduce again. But then they can be poisoned again with albendazole or mild means. For example, herbs that destroy parasites slowly but surely. In contrast to synthetic chemistry, herbs, especially collections from wormwood, tansy and buckthorn, poison the parasites so gently that they do not feel the need to be covered with a protective shell. However, herbs will have to be treated for at least 10 days.

Parasite larva in a protective capsule

Did you know that certain foods are capable of destroying worms? These are garlic (one clove a day is enough), pumpkin seeds and pineapple.

Therapeutic and preventive measures of helminthic invasions

To eliminate fever with giardiasis, enterobiasis or ascariasis, it is necessary to remove the cause of these diseases. For this, antiparasitic treatment should be carried out. Moreover, all antihelminthic drugs can be prescribed only by a doctor, after carrying out the necessary diagnostic measures.

Self-medication can be effective only when helminthiasis is at the initial stage of its course. With home deworming, mild drugs and remedies for worms are used, or proven recipes offered by alternative medicine.

However, in order for roundworms, pinworms and other parasites to leave the body of adults, it is better to seek medical help. After all, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic treatment, guided by such factors:

• body weight and age of the patient;
• the patient's state of health;
• the presence of accompanying diseases;
• stage of helminthiasis.

But it is worth remembering that many antiparasitic drugs can have a number of side effects, because they are quite toxic.

Often, with giardiasis and other types of parasitosis, complex treatment is carried out, including taking 2-3 drugs, which are taken at intervals of 2-4 weeks. In this way, you can destroy all worms, regardless of the stage and form of the disease.

In the treatment of helminthiasis, Pirantel is mainly prescribed, which is effective for ankylostomiasis, enterobiasis and ascariasis. To remove the parasites, a sufficient single dose of the suspension or tablets is taken, and after 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to drink Pirantel again.

But in order for the parasitosis not to return, preventive measures must be followed. For this purpose, it is necessary to regularly wash, iron bed, underwear and carry out wet disinfection of the premises.

Also, with various types of helminthiasis, Mebendazole can be prescribed, which destroys worms at different stages of development and cleans the body of toxins secreted by worms. The dosage is determined individually, because the medicine has a negative effect on the liver, harming health.

With hookworms, nematodes, pinworms and roundworms, Levamisole is prescribed. However, this anti-mucous agent has many side effects, so it is not recommended for young patients.

For patients under 3 years of age, the doctor prescribes the minimum dose. In this case, treatment should be carried out simultaneously to all family members.

It is worth noting that during the death of worms due to antiparasitic therapy in adults, adverse reactions may develop. This is because parasites release toxic substances, poisoning the host's body.

Therefore, with abdominal discomfort, single vomiting or diarrhea, you should not worry, because this phenomenon is considered normal. In this case, you should take a sorbent (Lactofiltrum, activated carbon). However, if negative reactions recur, you need to see a doctor. The video in this article will examine the dangers of ascariasis.

Immunity against helminths

The human body reacts to infection with worms in the same way as to infection with viruses. But immunity cannot act on helminths as effectively as on pathogens. This happens for the following reasons:

• the helminth is adapted to the conditions of the human internal environment;
• immunity resists weakly with helminthic invasion and the effect does not become destructive for the parasite;
• worms are too large and have different stages of development, as a result of which they are almost impossible to destroy using traditional measures of immunity against viruses and bacteria;
• after recovering from helminthiasis, a person almost never develops complete immunity to re-infection with the same type of worms.

However, the human body still has some immunity against worms. In some cases, it suppresses the reproduction of parasites and large-scale colonization of the organism does not occur. In other cases, the body can successfully resist the penetration of worms into the vital organs and blood, therefore the worms die, because they have nothing to eat.

In addition, the human body also adapts to life with worms and, over time, develops immunity to the toxins of worms.

In addition, doctors noticed: in a person with strong immunity, helminths do not cause such terrible consequences as in weakened people. Affects the course of the disease and a complete diet. Therefore, it is so important to eat a balanced diet and maintain immunity.

Treatment and prevention of helminthiasis

To completely get rid of worms, the patient must undergo antiparasitic treatment. Doctors prescribe antihelminthic drugs after examination and all necessary tests.

You can resort to self-medication at the initial stage of the development of helminthiasis. For the prevention and destruction of parasites in the initial stages, light drugs and medicines are used, you can try to resort to proven folk remedies.

However, if the infection may be long-standing, or you are not sure that you can cope with ascaris, pinworms or trichinella on your own, you should seek help from a doctor. He will prescribe a drug based on several factors:

• duration of infection;
• the presence or absence of other diseases;
• the general condition of the patient;
• the age and body weight of the patient.

Many anti-worm drugs are toxic, so it is better to make a choice based on clear data in order to be sure of the result. You can independently get rid of symptoms before going to the doctor, for example, to normalize your body temperature.