Learn more about the common parasites which call the human body home (and their pets). Research about the parasite life-cycles and the stages of their development in the body.
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How you catch worms. Worms are mainly spread in small bits of poo from people with a worm infection. Some are caught from food. You can get infected by: touching objects or surfaces with worm eggs on them – if someone with worms does not wash their hands. touching soil or swallowing water or food with worm eggs in it – mainly a risk in ...
- Threadworms
Other symptoms can include: extreme itching around the anus...
- Threadworms
Feb 23, 2024 · You may experience severe symptoms if you have a heavy parasitic load (lots of parasites). You’re at greater risk if you have a weakened immune system or if you’re pregnant. Depending on the parasite, untreated infections can lead to: Dehydration (from severe diarrhea). Malnutrition. Iron-deficiency anemia. Bowel obstruction. Appendicitis.
- Overview
- Symptoms of intestinal worms
- How to tell if you have worms in your stool
- Common types of intestinal worms
- Pictures of intestinal worms
- Causes of intestinal worms
- Risk factors for intestinal worms
- Possible complications
- When to contact a doctor
- Diagnosing intestinal worms
If you have intestinal parasites, you may have digestive symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. Untreated, worms may cause complications.
Intestinal worms, also known as parasitic worms, are one of the main types of intestinal parasites in humans. They’re most commonly found in subtropical and tropical regions, but some types are found in the United States.
Common symptoms of intestinal worms are:
•abdominal pain
•diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
•gas and bloating
•fatigue
•unexplained weight loss
Worms in your gut eventually pass through your digestive system and are excreted in your feces. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you may find signs of worms in your stool.
Worms in human poop can take a number of appearances. For roundworms, you may find pieces of worms or large, live worms in your feces. For pinworms, you may see thin, white worms that appear like pieces of thread. Pinworms, which are about the length of a staple, are sometimes visible around the anal region at night, when females lay their eggs on the surrounding skin.
Tapeworms
Humans get tapeworms by eating raw or uncooked pork or beef. Species that infect humans include: •Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) •Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) •Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm) It’s thought that fewer than 1,000 people in the United States are infected with tapeworms each year, although the exact number isn’t known. Tapeworms as long as 25 meters (82 feet) have been found in humans.
Flukes
More than 70 types of flukes can live in the human intestinal tract. They range from a fraction of an inch to several inches long. Humans can become infected by eating contaminated food or water. Flukes are most common in East and Southeast Asia.
Pinworms
It’s estimated that more than 1 billion people in the world are infected with pinworms, and they’re the most common type of worm that infects humans in North America. Children are most commonly infected. They’re easily passed between people living in close quarters.
Here’s an example of what intestinal worms look like:
One way to become infected with intestinal worms is by eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, such as a cow, pig, or fish. Other possible causes leading to intestinal worm infection include:
•consumption of contaminated water
•consumption of contaminated soil
•contact with contaminated feces
•poor sanitation
•poor hygiene
Children are particularly susceptible to intestinal worms because they often play in environments with contaminated soil, such as sandboxes and school playgrounds. Older adults are also at increased risk due to weakened immune systems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 24 percent of the world’s population is infected with soil-transmitted worms. Infections are most common in tropical and subtropical regions, in particular, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia.
Intestinal worms increase your risk for anemia and intestinal blockages, as well as malnutrition. Complications occur more frequently in older adults and in people who have suppressed immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS infection.
Intestinal worm infections can pose a higher risk if you’re pregnant. If you’re pregnant and are found to have an intestinal worm infection, your doctor will determine which antiparasitic medication therapy is safe to take during pregnancy and will monitor you closely while you are treated during pregnancy.
Most types of worms that infect humans only cause mild symptoms, but it’s still important to contact a doctor if you suspect a worm infection so you can get treated early. Medication is often effective at getting rid of worms.
It’s a good idea to see your doctor if you:
•have blood or pus in your stool
•are vomiting daily or frequently
•have an elevated body temperature
•are extremely fatigued and dehydrated
If you have any of the above signs, and especially if you have traveled out of the country recently, you should make an appointment with a doctor. A doctor may then examine your stool. It may take several stool samples to confirm the parasite’s presence.
Another test is the “Scotch tape” test, which involves applying tape to the anus several times in order to retrieve pinworm eggs, which can be identified under a microscope.
If worms or eggs are not detected, a doctor may carry out a blood test to look for antibodies that your body produces when it’s infected with a parasite. However, only some parasites are detectable with blood tests.
Additionally, a doctor may take an X-ray or use imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), depending on the extent or locations of the condition suspected.
Jun 4, 2022 · In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis).
May 17, 2022 · One of the most common worm infections in people worldwide, ascariasis is uncommon in the United States. Most infected people have mild cases with no symptoms. But heavy infestation can lead to serious symptoms and complications.
Giardiasis is a tummy bug that causes symptoms like diarrhoea, farting and bloating. It usually goes away in about a week if it's treated, but it can sometimes last much longer. How giardiasis is spread. You can get giardiasis through direct contact with infected people or animals, or from swallowing contaminated water, food or drinks.
Symptoms may vary depending on worm burden — heavy untreated infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Complications (such as intestinal obstruction) can be life-threatening. A thorough travel history should be taken, including travel to or migration from endemic areas.
