Intestinal worms, also known as ‘soil-transmitted helminth infections‘ or STH, are part of a group of parasitic and bacterial conditions known as neglected tropical diseases. Parasites, also known as worms, are an important type of intestinal parasite in humans. They are most commonly found in subtropical and tropical regions, but some species are found in the United States. Certain types of insects can infect people. Some can be held in the UK and others are only held overseas. Intestinal Worms
Common Types of Intestinal Worms
- Flatworms, including tapeworms and phlox.
- Roundworms, cause ascariasis, pinworm, and hookworm infections.
Tapeworms
Humans get tapeworms from eating raw or undercooked pork or beef. Species that infect humans include:
- Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)
- Taenia solium (pig tapeworm)
- Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm)
It is believed that fewer than 1,000 people in the United States are infected with tapeworms each year, although the exact number is unknown. Tapeworms up to 25 m (82 ft) long have been found in humans. Intestinal Worms
Flux
Over 70 species of flukes can live in the human intestinal tract. They range in length from a fraction of an inch to several inches. Humans can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Phlox is most common in East and Southeast Asia.
Pinworms
It is estimated that more than 1 billion reliable sources of people in the world are infected with pinworms, and it is the most common type of worm that infects humans in North America. Children are the most affected. They easily pass between people living in close quarters.
Hookworms
Reliable sources estimate that between 576 and 740 million people are infected with hookworm. Extremely people infected with hookworms have no symptoms.
Ascariasis
Ascariasis is an infection of Ascaris lumbricoides and affects an estimated 800,000 million people worldwide. It is rare in the United States but can occur in the rural Southeast. Infection occurs through contaminated food or water. Adult worms can be longer than a foot rust source. Usually, they do not cause symptoms.
Causes of Intestinal Worms
possible causes of intestinal parasites include:
- Consumption of polluted water
- Consumption of contaminated soil
- Contact with contaminated feces
- Poor cleaning
- Poor hygiene
Once you eat contaminated material, the parasite enters your intestines. They then reproduce and multiply in the intestine. Once they reproduce and increase in quantity and size, symptoms may appear.
Risk Factors
Children are particularly susceptible to intestinal worms because they often play in contaminated soil environments, such as sandboxes and school playgrounds. Older adults are also at increased risk because of weakened immune systems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 24 percent of the world’s population is infected by reliable sources of soil-transmitted worms. Infections are most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia.
People living in and visiting developing countries are most at risk due to drinking water from contaminated sources and declining levels of sanitation.
Complications of Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms increase your risk of anemia and bowel obstructions, as well as malnutrition. Complications are more common in older adults and people with suppressed immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS infection.
If you are pregnant and have an intestinal worm infection, your doctor will determine which antiparasitic medications are safe to take during pregnancy and what to treat you with during pregnancy. Will monitor.
Intestinal worms can sometimes cause complications. How they affect the body will depend on the worm, but potential complications include:
- Intestinal obstruction
- Problems with lung and heart function
- Human cysticercosis can result in vision loss and seizures.
In some cases, complications from untreated parasites can be fatal.
Diagnosis
If you have any of the above symptoms, and especially if you have recently traveled outside the country, you should see a doctor. The doctor may then examine your stool. Several stool samples may be required to confirm the presence of parasites.
Another test is the “Scotch tape” test, which involves taping the anus several times to retrieve pinworm eggs, which can be identified with a microscope.
If worms or eggs are not detected, the doctor may do a blood test to look for antibodies that your body produces when infected with a parasite. However, only some parasites can be detected with a blood test.
Additionally, a doctor may take X-rays or use imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), depending on the extent or location of the suspected condition.
A doctor may also order an imaging test to help them determine how many worms a person has and find them.
Some imaging techniques that a doctor may use include:
- Endoscopy to look inside the intestine
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
Treatments of Intestinal Worms
Some types of intestinal worms, such as tapeworms, may go away on their own if you have a strong immune system and a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, depending on the type of intestinal worm infection, you may need treatment with antiparasitic drugs.
- Paralyzes adult tapeworms.
- The tape causes the worm to separate from the intestines.
- dissolution
- Get out of your body through your stool
- Common treatments for roundworm infections include mebendazole (Vermox, Emorum) and albendazole (Albenza).
Medicines for intestinal worms are usually taken for 1 to 3 days. Your doctor will probably take another stool sample after treatment is finished and analyze whether the worms have disappeared.
In general, people can treat the symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis at home by:
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
It’s best to talk to a doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications to treat bacterial gastroenteritis.