What are Intestinal Worms?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Intestinal Worms?
Intestinal worms, also known as parasitic worms, are certain organisms that feed off the body of a human. Tapeworms and roundworms are the two most common types of worms that live inside the human intestine. Intestinal worms are commonly seen in children. The worms survive by sucking blood from the intestinal lining. Intestinal worms may cause certain symptoms in the body, which are similar to the symptoms caused due to gut disorders.
In this article, we will be discussing in detail intestinal worms.
- What are the types of Intestinal Worms?
- What are the causes of Intestinal Worms?
- What are the risk factors of Intestinal Worms?
- What are the symptoms of Intestinal Worms?
- How to diagnose Intestinal Worms?
- What are the treatments for Intestinal Worms?
- What are the complications of Intestinal Worms?
- How to prevent Intestinal Worms?
What are the types of Intestinal Worms?
Intestinal worms are one of the main types of parasitic worms and may include the following:
Flatworms: These can include the following types:
- Tapeworm:
- These types of flatworms attach themselves to the wall of the intestine.
- These are approximately 3 to 10 meters long.
- People having tapeworms usually have no symptoms or extremely mild symptoms.
- Tapeworms may live in contaminated water, or meats such as pork or beef.
- Ingestion of raw meats or unclean water may expose an individual to tapeworms.
- Fluke:
- These worms are more common in animals. However, they may also be present in humans.
- They are small, leaf-shaped worms.
- Accidental ingestion of unclean drinking water or freshwater plants like watercress may cause flukes to enter the human body.
- The adult flukes usually affect the liver and bile ducts (thin tubes that allow a fluid known as bile to go from the liver to the small intestine, where the fats in the food are digested).
- Some people may have no symptoms, but others may experience some symptoms after many months or years of first ingesting the parasite.
- Symptoms may include bile ducts inflammation or complete blockages.
- The person may have an abnormally large liver or unusual readings on a liver test.
Roundworms: These can include the following types:
- Hookworm:
- This type of worm usually enters the human body through unsanitary soil.
- The body of this worm tapers off into a hook or needle shape.
- They usually reside in the small intestine, where they lay eggs, which then pass out of the body through stools.
- The larvae of the hatched eggs may enter through the skin of another person.
- People who come into contact with the infected fecal matter, or with soil that contains contaminated feces used as a fertilizer, are at an increased risk of hookworm infection.
- Many people with a hookworm show no symptoms, while some may show gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Pinworm:
- It is a very small, thin roundworm.
- Pinworms are usually harmless and may live in the colon (a part of the large intestine) and rectum (where the stools are stored) of a person.
- Direct contact with an infected person or sharing of a contaminated object with an infected person may cause pinworm infection.
- It can cause itching in the anus region (through which the stools are expelled out) and may make sleeping difficult.
- Symptoms are usually noticed at night when the female pinworms start crawling out of the anus and lay their eggs on the surrounding skin.
( Know more about- Pinworms Home remedies )
Ascariasis:
- It is similar to a hookworm, only a few inches longer.
- It lives in contaminated soil and enters the body when eggs are ingested by a person.
- This worm lives in the intestines inside the body.
- Most cases are asymptomatic. However, severe infections may lead to intestinal blockage of impaired growth in children.
- Trichinella:
- This type of worm can be passed on to humans who eat raw or undercooked meats that consist of live larvae. The larvae then start growing inside the intestines.
- Once the larvae reach their full size, the worms leave the intestine to live in other tissues like the muscles.
- The symptoms may include gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, chills, muscle aches, and swelling of the eyes or face.
- Heavy infections may lead to heart or breathing problems and make it difficult for an individual to move. Severe cases may cause death.
( Know more about- What is Cholera? )
What are the causes of Intestinal Worms?
The cause of intestinal worms may include the following:
- Consuming contaminated food or water
- Consumption of contaminated soil
- Contact with contaminated stools
- Eating undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal
- Poor hygiene
- Poor sanitation
- ( Know more about- What is Rotavirus? )
What are the risk factors of Intestinal Worms?
The following factors increase the risk of developing intestinal worms:
- Children, since they are more likely to play in environments with contaminated soil
- People from developing countries, due to poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water
- People with a weakened immune system, like older adults and an HIV infected person
( Know more about- What are symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? )
What are the symptoms of Intestinal Worms?
The various symptoms of intestinal worms may include:
- Stomach pain ( Know more about- Home remedies for stomach pain in kids )
- Loss of appetite ( Know more about- What are the causes of loss of appetite ?)
- Fatigue
- Bloating ( Know more about- What are the causes of stomach bloating ? )
- Nausea
- Loss of weight
- Upset stomach
- Reddening of eyes
- Bad smell from the mouth ( Know more about- What is bad breath ? )
- Whitening of the tongue
- Body swelling
- Itching in the genital area ( Know more about- What is Genital Herpes ? )
- Vomiting
- Bloody stools ( Know more about- What is Blood in stools ? )
- Diarrhea ( Know more about- What is Diarrhea? )
Apart from intestinal worms, there are other causes of blood in stools, one being the Piles problem. The patient has severe pain, bleeding upon passing stools and has difficulty in sitting, etc. In advanced cases of piles, patients are advised to get Piles surgery. There are many hospitals and doctors in India where Piles surgery is done with great success and precision.
How to diagnose Intestinal Worms?
- Physical examination: The doctor examines the patient physically. The symptoms of the patient are noted, along with the medical history of the patient. The patient is also asked about any recent traveling history or if he/she has eaten out.
- Fecal tests: This test helps to check for any signs of infection that may be present.
- Blood tests: These tests help to detect the presence of any type of parasite.
- Colonoscopy: A thin tube with a camera on one end is used to check the bowel for parasites.
( Know more about- What is Colonoscopy? )
- Imaging tests: These tests include x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds. They are used to obtain images of the internal organs and check for signs of damage due to parasites.
- Tape tests: A piece of tape is placed over the anus when the person sleeps. This is done to check for signs that indicate the presence of eggs.
( Know more about- What is Ileostomy? )
What are the treatments for Intestinal Worms?
- Sometimes a healthy immune or disease-fighting system of the body is sufficient to manage some types of tapeworms without the requirement for any form of treatment.
- The doctor may prescribe some anti-parasitic medications to treat other types of intestinal worms.
- The following symptoms indicate the need for treatment:
- Extreme fatigue
- Vomiting
- High fever
- Dehydration ( Know more about- What are the symptoms of Dehydration in Children ? )
- Bloody stools
- Changes in the color of the stool
The doctor needs to diagnose the type of intestinal worm to determine the best treatment possible.
( Know more about- What is small intestinal cancer treatment? )
- Praziquantel is often recommended to clear out a tapeworm. The medication helps in paralyzing the worm and forcing it to detach from the wall of the intestine. The worm is then dissolved and it leaves the body during a bowel movement.
- Anthelmintic medications like albendazole or mebendazole are prescribed in case of hookworms.
- Triclabendazole is prescribed for treating flukes.
- Pinworm infections are treated by over-the-counter (available without a prescription) and prescription medications.
( Know more about- What is Ulcerative Colitis? )
What are the complications of Intestinal Worms?
The following complications may be associated with intestinal worms:
- Increased risk of health problems
- Loss of blood and iron, causing anemia
( Know more about- What is anemia? )
- Protein absorption by the body is reduced
- Intestinal blockage
- Human cysticercosis (a serious disease that can cause damage of the eyes and may lead to seizures)
( Know more about- What is Peptic ulcer? )
How to prevent Intestinal Worms?
The following tips can help in avoiding intestinal worms:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before cooking, eating, or handling food.
- Wash your hands before and after using the washroom.
- Do not consume raw or undercooked meats.
- Wash and peel all the fruits and vegetables thoroughly before using.
- Use clean water only.
- Use separate chopping boards for vegetables and meats.
- Avoid swimming in unclean water.
- Avoid walking barefoot in areas contaminated with fecal matter.
( Know more about- Why is Neem so healthy? )
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding intestinal worms through this article.
If you want to get more information and treatment about intestinal worms, you can contact a good Gastroenterologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication, treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
