Herring is one of the most popular types of fish, especially common in the CIS and Northern Europe. However, what if your appetite is spoiled by small worms found inside a seemingly fresh carcass? Are they dangerous for humans and how not to buy a spoiled product? When choosing salted or fresh herring, you should always carefully inspect it for worms: worms in herring are easy to detect by external signs sick fish. How to determine it and what to do if you do eat contaminated fish?
Are worms in herring dangerous for humans?
Roundworms in herring
Tapeworms in herring
The presence of cestodes, tapeworms or tapeworms in herring is the cause of the development of helminthiasis. They provoke diseases such as diphyllobothriasis and ligulosis. The most common and dangerous subspecies is the wide tapeworm: it is found in marine and freshwater fish species and grows up to 10 meters, affecting the intestines and adjacent organs. Tapeworm in herring can be rare, only in certain geographical locations. Humans are affected by eating raw meat. With proper heat treatment, the larvae die and do not pose a threat.
- External manifestations: if the fish is heavily infected, it may have tumors, small or large growths, black spots on the abdomen or throughout the body. Vivid examples can be seen in the photo.
- Eyes: healthy fish have dense and protruding eyes, the pupils are clear and white. In the patient, they are cloudy, dried out, mixed with a yellow or brown tint.
- Gills: The color of the gills can determine the health of the fish. Dark, black gills with an unpleasant odor indicate the presence of worms in the fish.
- When pressing on the carcass, a depression may form.
- A swollen belly is a sign of a bad herring.
- The presence on the entrails (eggs, milk, intestines) of adults: small transparent spirals, white tadpoles, thin long worms.
- Excessive softness is a bad sign. The meat should be dense and elastic; if the flesh falls apart and smells unpleasant, this indicates a spoiled product.
Is it possible to eat herring with worms?
There are two reliable methods of destruction, after which helminths in herring will not pose a danger. These are freezing and hot cooking. At temperatures of 30 degrees and below, it takes three days for the meat to become harmless. Most refrigerators are designed for higher temperatures - this is 18 degrees below zero. Under such conditions, you need at least a week to not worry about your health.
In case of infection with worms, it is not recommended to try to remove them using traditional methods: often this only harms the body, but does not help fight parasites. If you notice signs of acute poisoning, diarrhea and allergies, you should immediately consult a doctor. Prolonged helminthiasis is extremely dangerous for the patient’s health and can bring a lot of complications for the rest of his life. Disease prevention is also important - you need to monitor the quality of food, cleanliness in the kitchen and personal hygiene.
Are there worms in herring?
Types of worms
Herring can be an intermediate or definitive host for the following helminths:
You can see what the worms that can get caught in herring look like in the photo and video below.
Herring is not the only fish that can become a source of infection. Helminths live in pike, mackerel, crucian carp, bream and perch.
How can you tell if there are worms in herring?
When eating unprocessed herring, eggs or larvae of worms may go unnoticed. Finding worms when cutting fish is also very difficult, since they are not always visible.To check herring for the presence of helminths, you need to study:
- entrails (especially intestines);
- caviar;
- gills.
When cutting up a carcass, an unpleasant smell of rot may appear. It most often occurs when the internal organs are removed from the herring. The scales of an infected individual are slippery and sticky and come off easily when cleaned with a knife. When you press on the herring, a characteristic dent may form that will not go away for a long time.
Infected fish have a specific appearance:
- cloudy eyes;
- mucus on scales;
- swollen belly.
Herring worms are the easiest to spot, but you need to take into account the factor of their transparency. The worms curl into small spirals, which can be found in the gills and on the eggs.
Worms can also be found in milk, which consists of fish sperm and seminal glands. Despite all the benefits of this product, it is strictly prohibited to consume it raw and lightly salted.
Are worms in herring dangerous for humans?
Herring most often is only an intermediate host, with the help of which worm larvae enter the mammal. Already in humans they begin to develop and increase in size, causing enormous harm to the body.
In general, such herring should not be consumed under any circumstances.
Is it possible to eat raw herring?
The symptoms of helminthiasis are as follows:
- nausea and vomiting;
- weakness and apathy;
- headache, fever;
- drowsiness;
- an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash (not always).
These signs directly indicate the development of the disease. Every person who eats contaminated herring will have to undergo therapy. It is not recommended to make any attempts to remove worms on your own. At a minimum, the patient will not be able to diagnose himself and choose the right treatment methods.
Each nation has its own culinary traditions, some refuse to eat foods that most of us consider ordinary, and at the same time eat what we would not even call food in our wildest fantasies. For example, what does a person raised in standard European culture think about whether earthworms can be eaten? But the Indians of South America gladly eat these creatures, which they call “grass.” Residents of some parts of Asia will not refuse such a delicacy.
The benefits of earthworms
According to doctors, there is nothing surprising in this, because the body of earthworms consists of almost 100% protein. From this point of view, they are not only completely edible, but also very useful for humans.
For example, in the 90s, one of the US scientific institutes that dealt with the problems of child nutrition conducted a very interesting study. It turned out that the worm protein is not only easily absorbed by the child’s body, but does not cause allergic reactions at all. In addition, this is the most affordable product in terms of the cost of its production.
Many will be surprised, but About 60% of all baby food produced in the United States contains worm protein. And children who do not yet suffer from prejudice eat such food with pleasure. So, when an adult shudders at the mere thought of eating a worm, this is just the result of the stereotyped nature of his thinking, nothing more.
Even such recognized “masterpieces” of healthy food as soy protein concentrate or fish meal are inferior in protein content to powder made from specially processed earthworms. All this allows us to confidently give a positive answer to the question of whether earthworms can be eaten.
The main rule
The above does not mean at all that earthworms can be eaten without any prior preparation. Proper processing is crucial in this matter. Some Boy Scouts believe that simply rinsing the collected worms to remove any mucus or dirt may be sufficient. But is it possible to eat earthworms after such treatment?
The fact is that the body of worms is filled with earth, the components of which serve as food for them. Therefore, it is necessary to soak the worms for at least several hours before using them. However, this method does not provide a complete guarantee of safety.
It will be much more effective to place the worms in a jar with a special filler substance. The essence of this method is that the worms will begin to eat the filler, and it will naturally squeeze out the soil from their insides. Earthworms' favorite food is finely ground acorns or water chestnuts. You can also chop the leaves of sorrel, dandelion, nettle or shepherd's purse. This filler is completely harmless to humans, so you can safely consume worms treated in this way.
If we are talking about field conditions in which you do not have the opportunity to prepare flour from acorns and finely chop wild herbs, then you can use another very simple method of cleansing worms. To do this, they need to be kept in salt water until they become transparent. Then, they need to be thoroughly rinsed in running water and you can start cooking.
Cooking methods
The main question asked by people who are encountering this topic for the first time is: is it possible to eat earthworms raw, or is there a special method for preparing them? In principle, worms are suitable for food even in their raw form, but it is still better to subject them to at least minimal culinary processing.
The most basic way is to boil it. In order not to expose the protein to destruction and preserve it as much as possible beneficial features such food, it is recommended to throw the worms into boiling water and cook no more than 5-7 minutes. This dish is simply called forest pasta. There is another method - soak the worms in a container with flour before cooking.
Also earthworms are suitable for baking. To do this, they are first thoroughly washed, then dried, wrapped in foil and buried in half-cooled coals.
These are the simplest methods available to anyone who wants to join previously unknown culinary traditions. There are also more complex recipes. For example, in the countries of Southeast Asia, the menus of expensive restaurants contain very sophisticated dishes in which earthworms play a central role. The most favorite dish in such establishments is cutlets, the minced meat for which is prepared from coarsely chopped worms with the addition of butter, sour cream, eggs, lemon zest and white pepper. They say that it turns out simply divinely delicious.
Be sure to read:
In the human body, this is a problem that almost everyone has encountered. The main reason for the appearance of such parasites is unwashed hands. Some species are not particularly dangerous and are quite easy to treat. But there are also worms that are fatal for the patient.
The most terrible are tapeworms in the human body, which, not having their own digestive system, support their existence at the expense of the host, sucking blood and all useful substances from it.
Children are most susceptible to helminth infection. All because they do not comply properly. And the main route of infection, as you know, is through dirty hands and household items.
The first symptoms indicating the development of helminths may appear within three to four days after infection, and sometimes after a year and a half (filaria). The most common worms in the human body are pinworms, which infect the colon and the second most popular are roundworms. They cause serious illness and inflammation.
If you suspect worms, you should urgently consult a doctor for qualified help. Treatment is generally quick and effective.
in the human body
The most common of them:
Causes of worms
There are two main causes of helminth infection - unwashed hands and improperly processed food. All types of worms enter the body through:
The best prevention of helminthiasis is following the rules of personal hygiene.
Signs of worms in the human body
The following symptoms may indicate that a person has become infected with one or another type of worms:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, abdominal cramps.
- weight loss.
- Increased body temperature, sometimes reaching 39-40 degrees.
- Rashes and redness on the skin.
- For certain types of worms - a dry, prolonged cough, liver disease (depending on which organ is affected by the worms). Worms living in the human body are capable of causing a variety of organ reactions to the “invasion.”
- The appearance of circles under the eyes.
- Bad breath.
- Itching in the anus, especially at night.
- Grinding of teeth in sleep, snoring, restless sleep.
- Lymphadenitis is inflammation of the lymph nodes, which is accompanied by the accumulation of pus.
- Swelling.
- Fatigue, general weakness, irritability.
Most often, some symptoms are either absent or are perceived as some other disease. Therefore, the visit to the doctor is delayed. Accordingly, the risk of complications increases.
Diagnosis of worms
- Micro- and macroanalysis of feces. Used to detect all types of worms.
- Blood test for the presence of larvae.
- Ultrasound diagnostics.
- Radiography.
- Biopsy of muscle tissue.
- Endoscopic studies, which involve the use of special devices - endoscopes. One of these types is fibrogastroduodenoscopy. This is a study of the organs of the esophagus using a special probe.
If ordinary pinworms are suspected, stool tests will be sufficient. More complex types of helminths require more complex diagnostics.
Treatment of helminthiasis
If worms appear in the human body, treatment should be started immediately to avoid complications. To do this, first of all, you should contact a specialist who will conduct a diagnosis and determine treatment tactics.
Treatment for worms includes:
- Reception medications broad or narrow spectrum of action. The medicine is used once or according to the scheme. Such drugs include medications “Piperazine”, “Pyrantel”, “Mebendazole”, “Albendazole”, “Levamisole”, “Medamin” and others.
- Taking probiotics, since all types of worms mainly disrupt the intestinal microflora.
- Use of antiallergic drugs.
- Dieting. Limiting sugary foods.
- Strict hygiene (food processing, disinfection of bed and underwear, household items).
- Control of helminths after a certain time. It is a mandatory measure to determine the remains of larvae.
When worms are found in the human body, preventive measures should be taken by all family members. Prevention involves taking medications once.
Traditional methods
Traditional methods of treating helminths can be effective and efficient if you know how to use them correctly.
Helminthiasis is not only a disease that causes discomfort to a person, it is a disease that can cause complex health problems. Therefore, treatment of the disease should begin immediately.
Traditional recipes:
- The method of preventing worms known to everyone since childhood is garlic and onions. These two vegetables create an aggressive environment in the intestines, which helminths really don’t like.
- Herbal decoctions (chamomile, fennel).
- Adding medicinal oils to food (bergamot, tea tree, lavender).
- Onion tincture. Cut one onion into several pieces and cover with water until morning. Drink on an empty stomach in the morning. The course of treatment is a week.
- Horseradish with garlic (one to one) pour half a glass of alcohol. Leave for ten days, strain and drink one tablespoon three times a day before meals.
- Garlic with milk. Eat the largest amount of garlic and wash it all down with milk. After two hours, either do an enema or drink a laxative.
- Carrot juice. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach.
- To eat pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pomegranate, mint.
Prevention of worms
Like any disease, helminthiasis is best prevented. The best prevention of worms is clean hands and clean food.
Also follows:
- Avoid untreated drinking water and milk. Such products must be processed at high temperatures (boiling).
- Follow the rules for thermal processing of food.
- Avoid eating meat with blood, as well as raw minced meat.
- Vegetables and fruits should be doused with boiling water before eating.
- Refuse to purchase products at spontaneous markets.
- If you have pets, they should be examined by a veterinarian.
- In spring and autumn, regardless of whether there are worms in the body, prevention must be carried out with medications.
- People at risk (employees of kindergartens, schools, zoos, veterinary clinics) need to be periodically tested for helminths.
Complications of helminthiases
Worms living in the human body not only cause discomfort to their owner, but can also cause serious complications:
If we talk about all the complications that can arise as a result of helminth infection, then a person clearly underestimates “these little animals”! You should never ignore the symptoms of infection!
How to recognize worms in young children?
Diagnosing helminths in children is sometimes more difficult than in adults. Few people know that worms can infect children up to one year old. Therefore, they do not pay due attention to the symptoms.
If your child exhibits the following signs of illness, you should consult a specialist. Perhaps the baby is suffering from helminthiasis.
This concerns the main symptoms. Worms in the human body, especially small ones, can cause a variety of reactions, which parents often confuse with other diseases. Be that as it may, the child should in any case be shown to a therapist.
The main type of diagnosis of helminths in children is stool examination. A variety of anthelmintic drugs allows you to choose a medicine for treatment for every “taste” and age. But the best prevention is clean hands, disinfection in the house and proper handling of food.
Worms during pregnancy
Although helminths are dangerous “creatures,” they can be treated very quickly. Unfortunately, this does not apply to pregnant women. Infection with worms during pregnancy can cause severe complications in the development of the fetus, during childbirth, as well as many other troubles.
Almost all medications that are used to treat worms are contraindicated for pregnant women, as they can harm the baby. Therefore, it is forbidden to self-medicate. The only correct way out is to visit a doctor and get qualified help.
An effective remedy for pregnant women in the fight against worms are traditional methods - carrot juice in the morning, garlic and onions, pumpkin seeds. You should also eat more fiber-containing foods and yogurts with probiotics.
Conclusion
Timely diagnosis of worms allows treatment to be carried out quickly and effectively. And the best prevention remains following the rules of personal hygiene.