Worms in Humans

Human intestinal worms can affect people from around the globe. Despite that, they are usually found in hotter countries. There are more than 100 types of different parasites that live in the bodies. Microscopic intestinal worm are too small and cannot be seen with the naked eye while larger intestinal worms can be easily observed. These parasites can often be found in the air, water, or food that we eat. The three most common intestinal worm are dwarf tape worm, pork tapeworms, fish tape worm, roundworm, pinworm, whipworm, and hookworm.

Dwarf tapeworm is often mistaken as a pinworm infection. Dwarf tapeworm is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the world. Once the dwarf tapeworm entered into the stomach, it can multiply by itself and cause more infection. Children are more susceptible to dwarf tapeworms compared to adults. The symptoms of dwarf tapeworms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and itching in the buttocks. When you go to see your doctor, he will attempt to take a sample of your stool for microscopic examination of eggs.

Pork tapeworms are found worldwide and can be infected through pigs that eat human feces. The infections of an adult pork tapeworm do not produce visible symptoms. Sometimes, the patients may experience jittery, sudden weight loss or pain in the stomach. Cysticercosis is an infection of the muscle tissue when the pork tapeworm is in the larval stage. If the cyst occurs in the muscle, there will be lumps under the skin. If the cysts float in the eye, the victim will suffer from a blurred vision or detached retina. If the cysts are in the brain or spinal cord, the victim may suffer from seizures, migraines, and death. The eggs of the pork tapeworms will occur in the stool 8 – 12 weeks after the infection. The appearance of the cysticercosis symptoms can range from a few weeks up to several years after the initial infection. The cysticercosis symptoms usually become visible when the larval cysts are perishing.

Fish tapeworm or diphyllobothriasis is infected through consuming fish that are raw, undercooked or lightly marinated. Although fish tapeworm originally comes from Scandinavia in Russia, it has become widespread in the United States. Fish tapeworm is very common in Alaska and Canada. The diphyllobothrium latum, which measured 33 feet in length, is one of the largest tapeworms that cause human intestinal worm infection. Fish tapeworm cannot be seen in the fish because it lies unencysted in the fish muscle. If a person is infected with several fish tapeworm, he will experience symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Doctors usually perform a diagnosis by looking for eggs of the fish tapeworm in the stool sample.

Roundworms are the most common intestinal worm infection in the world. It can usually be found in places that has poor sanitation. People become infected with roundworm through consumption of food and water that are contaminated with the larva. Some roundworms can easily be seen with the naked eye while others can only be seen under a microscope. The symptoms of roundworms in children and adult may ranges from mild to severe condition. Children may experience sleeplessness and itching on the buttocks. Roundworms are also known for causing sudden weight loss or inability to gain weight. Other severe symptoms that are associated with roundworm infections include stomach pain, bouts of shortness in breath, unable to see properly, anemia and diarrhea. Sometimes, round worms can be seen moving in the stool. Sometimes, the adult worm will leave the body through the mouth or anus so that they can be seen on the pillow or bed. If you discovered that you are infected with roundworms, you should consult a doctor so that they can perform examination on the stool sample and confirm the diagnosis.

Pinworms are slender, white, threadlike worms that cause infection in the intestinal tract of the stomach. Pinworm measures approximately 1/3 inches long. The female pinworm usually leaves the body through the anus in order to lay her eggs in the perinea area. Pinworm infection can causes itchiness in the anal area, gastrointestinal upset, stomachache, fatigue, and weight loss. Girls may experience discomfort and itchiness in the vaginal area. Diagnosis of pinworm is conducted via a laboratory pinworm test called scotch tape test. Patients will be required to press the scotch tape paddle against the anal area two days in a row to retrieve larva or live pinworm. The test should be performed in the morning before you have a bowel movement. Once you have done that, you should bring the sample to the doctor so that he can analyze it by using a microscope.

Whipworm does not produce visible symptoms on the victim. Whipworm doesn’t have tissue migration stage and acts as a parasite inside the intestines during its whole lifetime. If several whipworms are involved in the infection, it may cause blood on the stool, diarrhea, weight loss and stomachache. Children that suffers from severe cases of whipworm infection is susceptible to a condition called rectal prolapsed. Trichuris infection can cause loose stools, anemia, stomach pain, and dysentery. The adult whipworm often becomes attached to the intestine by burrowing their heads in the mucosal lining. Diagnosis of whipworm is done through laboratory text which involves examination of the stool for samples of the eggs of live whipworm.

Hookworm is a parasite that lives in the human intestine. Hookworm is passed on to human through feces and accessing places with poor sanitation. Hookworm can cause diarrhea or stomach cramps. Heavy infestation of hookworm can be hazardous to the health of children, pregnant mothers and people that suffer from malnutrition. Hookworm is common in regions that experience tropical and subtropical climates where there are minimal sewerage provisions. The larvae of the hookworm are often found in contaminated soil in the ground. The larvae will attempt to attack the lungs and produce coughing with blood stained sputum. Hookworm condition can be confirmed by a doctor who will carry out the appropriate laboratory test.

If you suspect you have parasitic worm infection, you should consult a doctor. To prevent the infection from taking place, you should wash everything before eating it. The food and water must be cooked thoroughly to ensure that the larvae is completed destroyed. You should also avoid swimming in streams unless the authorities have inspected and clear it.