Intestinal parasites are worms that parasitize the human intestine, feeding on its contents or sucking blood from the intestinal wall.
They can cause serious, life-threatening diseases in humans.They mostly occur in children living in tropical and subtropical areas of rural Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and Central and South America.
In people from the Mediterranean areas of Europe and southern North America, they are relatively rare.
The size of an adult can reach from 1 millimeter to several meters.They attack the walls of the human intestine and begin to suck blood from them or live there freely, using nutrients.
The result of the vital activity of such parasites is inflammation of the small or large intestine, ulcers, anemia and lack of vitamins (mainly A, C, B12).In more severe cases, intestinal obstruction may occur, and then you should contact a surgeon for help.
Larvae can move to other organs (liver, spleen, bladder, muscles, lungs, brain), where they form cysts and cause allergic inflammation.
An infestation is the infection of humans, animals or plants by parasites of any kind (including worms).
Symptoms of infection
Intestinal parasites can live in a person's intestines for many years without any symptoms.
General symptoms and signs may appear weeks or months after infestation and include paleness, weakness, frequent fatigue (from anemia due to blood loss absorbed by the worms), sleep disturbances and weight loss.
Abdominal symptoms can last from several weeks to several months and include:
- Flatulence.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomiting.
- Itching in the anal area.
- Diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool.
- The presence of worms or their particles in the stool.
- Itching and rash on the skin.
- Swelling around the eyes.
Sources of infection
Eggs of intestinal parasites enter the external environment together with infected feces of humans or animals.Outside the human body, the eggs take several days or weeks to develop into cysts or immature worms (larvae), which can enter the human 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 pets.
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 reaches a length of 16 cm and is as thick as a pencil.
Nematodes are mainly found in tropical areas.When they enter the intestines, they begin to suck 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 its area, which causes severe itching.
Trichinella.They cause trichinosis;you can get infected by eating poorly cooked, contaminated meat.
They can travel from the intestines to muscles and other organs, where they form cysts, encapsulated forms that are difficult to get rid of.The main symptoms are pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints, swelling of the eyes and skin rash.
Trematodes
Blood flukescause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are found mainly in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.Their length is no more than 25 mm and the thickness is about 1 mm.Blood fluke eggs can be found in stool and urine.
Cestodes
Broad tapewormenters the human body by consuming contaminated fish.The parasite can reach 10 m in length.It is widespread in Europe and the USA.
Beef and pork tapeworm.You can get infected if you eat poorly cooked beef or pork.
The parasite is spread all over the world, and people living in rural areas are particularly susceptible to infection.Adult worms can reach a length of over 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.It is often found in domestic dogs and cats.Humans are rarely infected with this intestinal parasite due to the fact that the main source of spread is the tapeworm eggs of the cucumber flea.
Diagnostics and prevention
If you suffer from unexplained bloating, diarrhea, weakness or weight loss, your doctor should first suspect intestinal parasites as a possible cause.To confirm this, you need to give blood and feces for analysis.
For prevention, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands constantly after using the toilet, working with the earth and after contact with pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in standing, shallow water.
- Heat meat products thoroughly.
- Have regular medical check-ups.