You've probably heard of leeches, the slick little things that make you frown when you think of them, wriggling in the water and occasionally coming in uninvited to "greet".
Doesn't it sound a little unsettling that leeches can quietly parasitize the private parts of the human body? If these uninvited guests are accidentally eaten, will they make a home in our stomachs?
1. Basic cognition and misunderstandings of leeches
Speaking of leeches, you may think of the bloodletting scenes in those old movies, or the accidental fright when catching fish by the stream when you were a child. The name of leeche, it seems to be tied to the word "bloodsucking".
But actually, not all of these little guys are bloodsuckers. Most of them actually live by preying on small bugs. It's just that occasionally they will "show goodwill" to humans, and that breath is really memorable.
Some people say that leeches can be cut in half and become two, which sounds like a myth, but if that's the case, wouldn't leeches rule the world?
In fact, the regeneration ability of leeches is really good, but it is not so exaggerated. If they lose a small part of their body, they can grow back, but if you cut it in half, then it will have to say goodbye to this world.
2. The risk of leeches coming into contact with humans
When leeches suck blood, they secrete something called hirudin, which prevents blood from clotting and allows them to enjoy a constantly flowing "buffet".
Doesn't that sound a bit tingling on the scalp, but strangely, when you are sucked by leeches, you usually don't feel pain, and sometimes you find yourself bitten because of the itch.
But don't think that leeches are so "gentle", there is a kind of guy called tiger leech, their bite is not a joke, it hurts so much that you can jump. These leeches are especially common in the rainforest and can be targeted by them if you are not careful.
What's even more chilling is that leeches sometimes parasitize some private parts of the human body. This is not alarmist, there have been real cases.
For example, somewhere in Yunnan, a 5-year-old boy sought medical attention because he had difficulty breathing, only to find that a leech had parasitized under his vocal cords.
3. The contest between leeches and the digestive system
When leeches are accidentally swallowed into their stomachs, their fate becomes uncertain. The environment suitable for leeches to live in is humid waters, and the human gastrointestinal tract, especially the strong stomach acid in the stomach, is tantamount to a strong acid bath for them.
Stomach acid typically has a pH between 1.5 and 3.5, and this highly acidic environment breaks down most proteins and microorganisms and is the body's first line of defense. Although leeches have rough skin and thick meat, their chances of survival in such an environment are slim.
Not to mention stomach acid, even if leeches are lucky enough to pass the stomach level, they still have to face digestive enzymes in the small intestine and microbiota in the large intestine, which are "experts" who specialize in dealing with foreign substances.
Therefore, the likelihood of long-term survival of leeches in the human digestive tract is extremely low. In fact, there are no conclusive medical reports that leeches can survive in the human digestive system for more than a short time.
But then again, there are occasional medical reports of leeches surviving in the digestive tract. For example, in some special cases, leeches may be able to survive temporarily if they enter a certain part of the human digestive tract and the acidic environment in that part is not strong enough.
However, this condition is extremely rare and often causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea, which is why prompt medical intervention is necessary.
4. Preventive measures and coping methods
In the wild, especially in undeveloped natural environments, the prevention of leech parasitism is crucial. First, avoid drinking directly or coming into contact with untreated water sources, which may contain leeches.
If it needs to be drunk, it must be boiled or strainer used first. Secondly, it is also important to wear appropriate clothing, long sleeves, long pants and airtight shoes to prevent leeches from coming into contact with the skin.
In case you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a leech, there is no need to panic too much. First of all, do not pull too hard, as this may leave the leech's head in the skin and cause infection.
Salt or alcohol can be applied to the leech's body to cause it to fall off on its own. After that, the wound is cleaned and observed for any unusual reactions. Seek medical attention promptly if necessary.
In the field of medicine, leeches do have their value. The anticoagulant properties of hirudin have their application in the treatment of certain diseases.
For example, leech therapy is used to prevent the formation of blood clots in convalescent surgical patients. But this therapy is carried out under strict medical monitoring and is fundamentally different from the random bites of leeches in the wild.
Although leeches are unlikely to survive in the human digestive tract for a long time, their potential threat to human health in a specific environment cannot be ignored. Proper prevention and timely medical intervention are key to keeping us safe in the natural environment.
As for the medical value of leeches, we should make scientific use of their characteristics under professional guidance, rather than blindly becoming enemies of them.
5. Rare cases of leech parasitism
Historically, cases of leeches parasitizing the human body have indeed been recorded, although these cases are rare. In medical reports, these cases usually involve leeches entering the respiratory or digestive tract of the human body.
There have been records of leeches being found in the throat or nasal cavity after children accidentally drank water containing leech larvae. These cases underscore the importance of taking appropriate precautions when outdoors, especially when near natural water sources.
There was also a little boy who had a stuffy nose for half a month, and the doctor removed a 5-centimeter-long leech from his nasal cavity. How did these little guys get in?
It is most likely that the children accidentally drank raw water with leeches while outdoors. This case not only shows the risk that leeches may be parasitic on the private parts of the human body, but also reminds us of the importance of safe drinking water when we are in the wild.
6. The application of leeches in medicine
The medical value of leeches should not be overlooked. For example, hirudin has been used to make certain anticoagulant drugs. These medications can help reduce the formation of blood clots and can be a lifesaver for people with heart disease or who need to prevent blood clotting after surgery.
In addition, leech therapy in traditional medicine has also been used to treat certain conditions such as varicose veins and lymphedema. However, these therapies are carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor and are fundamentally different from leech bites in the natural environment.
If you find a leech parasitic on a part of your body, you should seek medical help immediately. Your doctor may physically remove the leech and treat the wound appropriately to prevent infection.
During the treatment, the doctor will use local anesthesia or other pain relief methods to reduce the patient's discomfort. After that, the wound may need to be checked regularly to ensure that there is no secondary infection.
7. Public education and health promotion
As part of the prevention of leech parasitism, public education and health promotion are crucial. People need to understand the habits of leeches and how to protect themselves outdoors. Educating people to recognize the symptoms of a leech bite and how to properly handle the bite is also an important measure to prevent infections and complications.
Although leeches play a specific role in nature, their contact with humans is often accidental. Understanding the habits of leeches, their potential effects on the human body, and how to harness their medical value when necessary is essential for us and leeches to live in harmony.
summary
Preventing and dealing with leech bites through scientific methods can effectively reduce their negative impact on human health. For rare incidents such as leeches ingested by mistake, we should understand and respond to them based on a scientific attitude.