The Life Cycle Of A Pinworm In The Human Body And Outside It

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

The entire life cycle of a pinworm takes place inside the human body. It starts from the moment of fertilization of the individual and lasts about 4 weeks. Pinworm infection, or enterobiasis, is accompanied by characteristic symptoms.

Content

• 1 Pinworm development

  1.1 Pinworms in the vagina

• 2 How pinworms enter the body
• 3 Symptoms of infection
• 4 How many worms live outside the human body
• 5 Diagnosis of the disease
• 6 How to get rid of pinworms

Pinworm development

The life span of a pinworm is not long - inside the human body, one individual will live no more than a month. Pinworms in the human body settle in the cecum, in some parts of the large and small intestines. They get inside with food or through dirty hands.

The developmental life cycle of the pinworm begins when a person swallows the eggs of the parasites. From this moment fertilization occurs, larvae hatch from the eggs of the helminths. This happens within 5-6 hours. After fertilization, the larva begins its movement through the rectum towards the anus. As they move, the larvae mature.

Pinworms feed on food that passes through the intestines. The first two weeks, helminths are not diagnosed in the body in any way and do not cause trouble. After this period, the first symptoms appear.

Coming to the surface in the area of the anus, adults lay their larvae. This process most often occurs at night. Helminths, releasing isovaleric acid, cause itching in the anus. A person combs problem areas, unwittingly spreading them in the environment. When scratching, some of the eggs stick to the hands, and through them again enters the gastrointestinal tract. This is how self-infection occurs.

For the development of eggs, appropriate conditions are required - high humidity and heat. In a woman, pinworms can move further, penetrating into the vagina. Microbes from the intestines will also be transferred there. There is irritation and inflammation of the vaginal mucous membranes, which can lead to vulvovaginitis.

Outside the intestines, pinworms cannot live. In pinworms, the life cycle ends after laying eggs.

If you follow the rules of hygiene, you can get rid of worms within 2-3 months.

Pinworms in the vagina

Pinworms in women can continue their journey into the vagina. Parasites are able to dwell not only there, but also in the uterus, and even in the fallopian tubes. The following symptoms indicate the penetration of helminths into the internal genital organs:

• itching in the vagina;
• redness of the vaginal mucosa;
• pain when urinating;
• feeling of movement in the vaginal area;
• milky discharge;
• abdominal pain.

Parasites in the vagina are dangerous, as they can cause complications that lead to impaired fertility.

In addition, pinworms can settle in the nose, lungs, and even in the eyeball

How pinworms enter the body

Annually in Russia there are about a million cases of pinworm infestation. Infection with helminths depends on how much a person observes the rules of hygiene. Young children are at risk.

Infection occurs in three ways:

• oral;
• contact;
• domestic.

Infection can occur after contact with objects on which worm eggs are present. Such items can be:

• handles in public toilets;
• handrails in transport;
• hands of an infected person;
• money.

Pinworms are carried by pets. Parasites are found in their fur. Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables also carries a certain amount of risk.

Infection symptoms

Pinworms are a type of white helminth, in which the posterior tip of the body is slightly raised upward and curved in the form of a hook. The size of the males is up to 5 mm in length, and the females reach a maximum of 12 mm.

Pinworms do not deliver significant lesions to the body, but certain symptoms and troubles in humans still arise. Infection is expressed by the following symptoms:

• itching in the anus, which usually occurs at night;
• restless sleep in children;
• violation of the stool;
• discharge from the vagina in case of penetration of helminths into the genitals;
• increased nervousness.

The presence of pinworms in the human body for a long time can lead to a disease such as enterobiasis. It is especially dangerous when it goes into a chronic form. Enterobiasis develops after the eggs of the worms enter the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth.

Enterobiasis is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• due to the long presence of pinworms in the human body, inflammation of the small and large intestines occurs;
• if the worms are in the peritoneum, the risk of developing peritonitis increases;
• if it enters the vagina, vulvovaginitis may occur;
• if the parasite enters the lungs or nasal passages, surgery will be required;
• sometimes helminths can provoke appendicitis inflammation.

In order to prevent the transition of enterobiasis into a chronic form, it is important, at the first suspicion of this disease, to undergo a full examination and start treatment

How many worms live outside the human body

Quite often, sick people have such a question, how many pinworm eggs live outside a person. Worm eggs can survive outside the human body for up to one month. They get into the external environment through the bedding or underwear of a person suffering from enterobiasis, as well as through his hands and household items.

For the favorable existence of parasites, the following conditions are required:

• high level of humidity;
• air temperature from 22 to 40 degrees.

How long the pinworm lives outside the human body depends on environmental conditions

In direct sunlight, the eggs of the worms die within half an hour. You should not use chlorine-containing substances as disinfection - they do not work on pinworms. It will be advisable to boil the contaminated laundry, and after it dries, iron it well.

Disinfection of large household items that cannot be washed is carried out by washing them with strong detergents. Carpets, curtains and pillows can be brought out to the balcony in the sun. How long pinworms live outside the body is influenced by environmental conditions.

Diagnosis of the disease

Female pinworms lay their eggs in the anal area, so a smear is taken for analysis to find them in this place.

In addition, the patient may be assigned a blood test. If the body is damaged by parasites, the level of eosinophils in the blood will be exceeded.

How to get rid of pinworms

Getting rid of pinworms is not particularly difficult. It is important to avoid re-infection. If a lot of cases of helminth infection have been noted in a children's team or in a family, it is better to take preventive measures.

The treatment regimen includes mainly medications. The doctor prescribes antihelminthic drugs, which include:

• Pirantel;
• Vermox;
• Piperazine.

Some medicines, due to their toxicity, should not be given to children, therefore, the treatment of the disease should in no case be carried out independently. Be sure to get advice from a specialist.

In some cases, traditional medicine saves. Thyme well removes worms from the body - a decoction is made from this herb. A decoction of tansy and wormwood flowers also helps. The use of garlic saves from worms, moreover, it is an excellent prophylactic agent.

To prevent infection with helminths, you must follow the rules of hygiene. After visiting public places, you should wash your hands thoroughly. Worm eggs can accumulate under the nails, so they should be clipped regularly.

By observing safety measures, parasite infestation can be avoided.