Intestinal parasites are worms that live in the human intestines, feeding on intestinal contents or sucking blood from the intestinal wall.
In humans, they can cause serious, life-threatening illness.They occur primarily in children in rural Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America.
The condition is relatively rare among people from the Mediterranean region of Europe and southern North America.
Adult individuals can reach sizes ranging from 1 mm to several meters.They invade the human intestinal wall and begin sucking blood from it or live freely there, utilizing nutrients.
The results of the life activities of such parasites are inflammation of the small or large intestine, ulcers, anemia and vitamin deficiencies (mainly A, C, B12).In more severe cases, intestinal obstruction may occur, and you will then need to contact a surgeon for help.
Larvae can also move to other organs (liver, spleen, bladder, muscles, lungs, brain), where they form cysts and cause allergic inflammation.
Invasion is the infection of humans, animals or plants by any kind of parasite, including worms.
symptoms of infection
Intestinal parasites can live in a person's intestines for years without causing any symptoms.
General signs and symptoms may appear weeks or months after infection and include paleness, weakness, frequent fatigue (anemia due to loss of blood absorbed by the worms), sleep disturbance, and weight loss.
Abdominal symptoms can last weeks to months and include:
- Bloating.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomit.
- Itching in the anal area.
- diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool.
- Presence of worms or pellets in stool.
- Itchy skin and rash.
- Swelling around the eyes.
source of infection
Intestinal parasite eggs enter the external environment in infected feces of humans or animals.Outside the body, it takes days or weeks for the eggs to develop into cysts or immature worms (larvae), which can enter the body through dirty hands or when you eat raw, unwashed vegetables.
Another source of infection is the consumption of undercooked meat from domestic pigs, fish or wild animals (boar, deer, etc.).
You can also become infected through fleas carried by your pet.
Certain types of intestinal parasites can penetrate the skin while swimming or walking barefoot; when they reach the small or large intestine, they begin to develop into adults.
Types of intestinal parasites
Roundworms (nematodes)
human roundwormFound all over the world.It can reach 16 cm in length and is as thick as a pencil.
Nematodes are mainly found in tropical areas.Once in the intestine, they begin sucking blood from the intestinal wall.
Pinworm.A white worm, no more than half a centimeter long.At night, they can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs in the area, which can cause severe itching.
Trichinella spiralis.They cause trichinellosis; you can become infected by eating undercooked, contaminated meat.
They can spread from the intestines to muscles and other organs, where they form cysts, an encapsulated form that is difficult to remove.The main symptoms are abdominal, muscle, and joint pain, eye swelling, and skin rash.
fluke
SchistosomaCauses intestinal schistosomiasis.They are mainly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.Their length does not exceed 25 mm and thickness is approximately 1 mm.Schistosoma eggs can be found in feces and urine.
Tapeworm
tapewormEnters the human body through consumption of contaminated fish.The length of the parasite can reach 10 m.It is common in Europe and the United States.
Cattle and pork tapeworms.You can become infected by eating undercooked beef or pork.
The parasite is found around the world, and people living in rural areas are particularly susceptible to infection.The adult body length can reach more than 20m.
Cucumber tapeworm.Common in domestic dogs and cats.Because the main source of transmission of cucumber tapeworm eggs is fleas, people rarely become infected with this intestinal parasite.
Diagnosis and prevention
If you experience unexplained bloating, diarrhea, weakness, or weight loss, your healthcare provider should first suspect intestinal parasites as a possible cause.To prove this, you need to donate blood and stool for analysis.
For prevention, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands frequently after using the toilet, touching soil, and after handling pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in shallow, still bodies of water.
- Heat-treat meat products thoroughly.
- Get regular physical exams.