Trichuris trichiura

It is very recurrent that parasites are found inside the human body, as they are one of the most easily contagious infections, but which also damages other organs and generates unpleasant symptoms . But what are these parasites like? Can they really be avoided? Are there preventive measures? To know this and more about trichuris trichiura, do not stop reading this interesting article to the end.

What is Trichuris trichiura?

It is a conventional parasite, but specifically it is the agent responsible for the parasitosis known as trichuriasis. The physical structure of the trichuris trichiura, is a conventional thin body of a worm , but with its much wider back that usually coils like a snake. Its measurements can be between 3 and 5 centimeters long.

Once Trichuris trichiura eggs are expelled through the feces of the infected individual , and fall into a humid environment, they continue their development, as long as the temperature is correct to preserve their survival. They can last between 10 and 14 days, which gives way to the growth of the larva, but without leaving the egg.

In fact, Trichuris trichiura also shares similar characteristics to those of the Ascaris lumbricoides parasite, which is why they generally coincide in the infection with both worms . Furthermore, these two species of worms are morphologically similar.

When they are ingested, it is when the eggs hatch and the parasite is released in the small intestine. After that, a process of maturation, development and evolution begins , where the females, after 60 days, proceed to lay their eggs to start another life cycle.

Like many other parasitic diseases, Trichuris trichiura represents a major health problem. Their presence determines that the hygienic conditions in water and food are completely inadequate , that is, they have those infected eggs that later transform into larvae when they take over the small intestine and travel through part of the body until they become adult worms.

Trichuris trichiura treatment

To determine a correct treatment that directly attacks the infectious focus, it is necessary to make a good diagnosis, and for this it is necessary to analyze the whipworm of the hand with the laboratory that focuses on the detection of contaminated eggs present in feces.

Once the parasitic disease is diagnosed, either by symptoms, or by the result of medical tests, some of the more conventional treatments to attack and counteract damage to the human body are based on the intake of antibiotics such as thiabendazole and mebendazole , as well as albendazole, ivermectin, nitazoxanide, and thiabendazole. However, this will depend on medical observation, but one pill is usually prescribed every 8 hours for 10 days .

Although it is not always necessary, in some cases a colonoscopy is used for the proper diagnosis , since many times the worms are easily attached to the mucosa of the large intestine, also known as the colon.

An ideal treatment option could be the following:

• • 100 milligram mebendazole: 2 times a day for 3 days.
  • Albendazole 400 milligrams: Once a day, for 3 days.
  • Nitazoxanide 500 milligrams: 2 times a day for 3 days by mouth.

However, when it comes to a strong or massive infection, the treatment should last between 5 to 7 days, approximately . But it should not be an alarming episode, since 90% of infected patients manage to recover effectively after medication.

Now, for these treatments to achieve true success on Trichuris trichiura, it is important to focus on reducing the proliferation of eggs, which does not happen only with the consumption of antibiotics. For this, it is very important to avoid defecating on the ground, not placing human feces for plant compost , and properly taking care of the entire hygienic environment of the patient. Above all, pay special attention to the spaces where children or babies are regularly found, who are more exposed to contagion.

This care must be carried out for at least 6 weeks , to ensure that there is no risk of infection:

• Wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Wash sheets, towels and pajamas twice a week.
• Keep the sanitary latrine clean.
• Wash food well before consumption.
• Do not share bath towels.
• Keep the toothbrush indoors.
• Avoid putting dirty hands in your mouth.

As it is a contagion that can occur at any time, and affect anyone, from babies, children, adolescents or adults of the same family group, it is advisable to apply treatment and prevention throughout the family , even preventively with deworming medication about 2 times a year, approximately.

Are there home remedies for Trichuris trichiura?

Yes, and they are used in order to attack parasitic diseases in a practical and effective way, where they also allow to accelerate the recovery process in the company of the intake of the medical treatment prescribed by the specialist. Also, even without infection, they can be consumed to keep the large and small intestine clean of parasites.

Milk with mint

Ingredients:

• 4 stems and 10 green mint leaves
• 100 milliliters of skim milk
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Bring the mint leaves to a boil along with the milk. Later, let the mixture cool down and add the tablespoon of honey to sweeten it. The consumption of this remedy should be warm and done 1 hour before breakfast and then repeat it after 7 days.

Horseradish tea

• 1 liter of water
• 4 teaspoons dried horseradish leaves

To obtain this tea, you must boil the water and add the 4 tablespoons of dried horseradish leaves. Next, let it rest for about 5 minutes, strain the preparation and proceed to drink 2 to 3 cups a day.

Anise tea

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of anise seeds
• 1 cup of water

To achieve this, you must bring the water to a boil and add the anise seeds. Next, let the preparation boil for a few minutes and remove from the heat . Take a cup and strain the seeds. It is advisable to consume after each meal .

Milk with oil

Ingredients:

• 1 glass of milk
• 2 tablespoons castor oil

First, you need to heat the milk and wait for it to warm up a bit. Once this is done, proceed to add the two tablespoons of castor oil and stir the mixture well . This preparation is perfect to eat on an empty stomach or before each meal.

Olive oil with garlic

• 500 milliliters of olive oil
• 1 branch of rosemary
• 3 cloves of peeled garlic

In a bottle, place the gently crushed garlic cloves and then add the olive oil with the rosemary branch. Close the container and store it in a moisture-free area for about 10 days . After that time, use this oil to cook food or dress.

Pumpkin syrup and honey

• 500 grams of honey
• 100 grams of pumpkin pulp
• 500 grams of powdered garlic
• 1 liter of water

This home remedy can be done by boiling the water with the pumpkin pulp. Let cook until half of the water is used up. Proceed to remove from heat, add the garlic and let it rest. Then proceed to sweeten with honey and strain the preparation. It is advisable to take two tablespoons daily on an empty stomach.

How Trichuris trichiura is transmitted

You must bear in mind that intestinal infection by parasites is not transmitted directly from person to person ; Therefore, living with a person infected with Trichuris trichiura does not represent any risk. Now, when the eggs of the larvae or worms that have been expelled through human feces are ingested, the only and main source of contagion is created there .

Although feces should not be in the environment directly, contamination by this route can be found in food that has not been well washed and in the water used for it, or for consumption, which is infected with the factors that we already discussed.

In addition, another contagion link is in the human body itself through the hands, since they are one of the parts of the body that are most exposed to bacteria and toxins. Therefore, their cleanliness is very important to avoid contagion. Another way in which the parasites are transmitted is after having handled some surface where the infected eggs are .

Remember that, when they have reached the intestine, the eggs transform into larvae and proceed to begin a journey throughout the human body. However, being located in the intestinal wall is when they represent the greatest danger , since the parasites tend to other organs of the body.

Being the parasites the small intestine or the large intestine, they grow, mature and reproduce rapidly and on a large scale , laying in the case of female worms, an amount of 20 thousand eggs a day, which are subsequently defecated by human feces, although some manage to adhere to the intestinal walls. This entire process takes approximately 60 days or a little longer.

There are symptoms that can warn you when it is a mild or serious infection , such as what you will read next:

If it is Trichuris trichiura mild , you should be alert for these symptoms:

• Presence of worms in the stool.
• Expulsion of worms through coughing or vomiting.
• Loss of appetite
• Phlegm with blood.
• Fever .
• Stomach ache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rash on the skin.

In general, only those patients who have a large or small intestine infected by hundreds or thousands of parasites will actually develop noticeable and regular symptoms of contamination from trichuriasis. In these cases, which are usually regular, the clinical picture presents with chronic diarrhea, accompanied by mucus or blood mixed in the stool.

In addition, symptoms such as nausea, flatulence, and anemia may occur. Without leaving aside the existence of a physical signal that could attract attention before diagnosis, such as digital clubbing, which is an enlargement of the fingertips and nails.

If it is severe Trichuris trichiura , you will have symptoms like these:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Rectal prolapse.
• Intestinal obstruction.
• Obstruction of the bile ducts.
• Fecal incontinence

In addition, you must take care beyond the cleaning of your hands, specifically under the nails, since there the tiny eggs adhere when they feel an infected area, and when they put their fingers in their mouth these parasites enter the organism. Surfaces can remain contaminants after 3 weeks and have been contaminated by infected eggs, so you should also be aware of:

• Dirty clothes from home or pajamas.
• Bed linen and towels.
• Food infected by irrigation with fecal water.
• Glasses, cutlery and kitchen utensils.
• Toys.
• School desks and tables.
• The sand in parks and playgrounds.

Remember that intestinal worms affect all human beings, regardless of age, as they are habitual inhabitants of the body. Although they do not develop or are generated in domestic animals, some insects can be the main transmitters of another type of contagion through parasites, such as cockroaches, flies, among others.

But, school-age children are usually the most affected or sensitive to the contaminating process , so a regular sign of a state of massive infection would be the symptoms of rectal prolapse, which corresponds to a bulge in the part of the rectum through of the anus . In most cases, worms can be seen adhering to the mucosa of the rectum that is located on the outside.

Trichuris trichiura is a parasite that does not adapt properly to very cold places or environments, so tropical regions usually represent its preferred habitat by nature. Therefore, it is estimated that millions of people are infected with this parasite worldwide , and most of them do not present any type of symptoms. So one could speak of a silent polluting species.

Generally, it is a very common contamination in underdeveloped countries, where basic sanitation conditions are precarious, or rarely done with due emphasis. And this is more delicate than is believed, since Trichuris trichiura can live up to 5 years in the large intestine.