Intestinal parasites are worms that parasitize the human intestine, feeding on its contents or sucking blood from the intestinal wall.
In humans, they can cause serious, life-threatening diseases.They predominantly 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 individual can reach from 1 millimeter to several meters.They invade 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 vitamin deficiency (mainly A, C, B12).In more severe cases, intestinal obstruction may occur and then you need to contact a surgeon for help.
The 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 parasites of any kind (including worms).
Symptoms of infection
Intestinal parasites can live in a person's gut for many years without causing any symptoms.
General symptoms and signs may appear several weeks or months after the infestation and include pallor, weakness, frequent fatigue (from anemia due to loss of blood absorbed by the worms), sleep disturbances and weight loss.
Abdominal symptoms can last from several weeks to several months and include:
- Bloating.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomit.
- 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
The eggs of intestinal parasites enter the external environment along with infected feces of people 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 eating undercooked meat from domestic pigs, fish or wild animals (boar, deer, etc.).
You can also become infected through fleas, which are carried by pets.
A certain type of intestinal parasite 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 throughout the world.It reaches a length of 16 cm and is as thick as a pencil.
Nematodes are mainly found in tropical areas.Once they enter the intestines, they begin to suck blood from the intestinal wall.
Pinworm.A white worm, reaching no more than half a centimeter in length.At night, they can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs in its area, which leads to severe itching.
Trichinella.They cause trichinosis; you can become 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 rash on the skin.
Trematodes
Blood flukescause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are found mainly in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.They are no more than 25 mm in length and about 1 mm in thickness.Blood fluke eggs can be found in stool and urine.
Cestodes
Wide tapewormenters the human body through consumption of contaminated fish.The parasite can reach 10 m in length. It is widespread in Europe and the USA.
Bovine and pork tapeworm.You can become infected by eating poorly cooked beef or pork.
The parasite is distributed throughout the world, and people living in rural areas are especially susceptible to infection.Adult worms can reach lengths of more than 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.Often found in domestic dogs and cats.People are rarely infected with this intestinal parasite due to the fact that the main source of spread of cucumber tapeworm eggs is fleas.
Diagnostics and prevention
If you are suffering from unexplained bloating, diarrhea, weakness or weight loss, your healthcare provider should first suspect intestinal parasites as a possible cause.To confirm this, you need to donate 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 soil, and after contact with pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in standing, shallow bodies of water.
- Heat-treat meat products thoroughly.
- Get medical examinations regularly.