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 and potentially fatal illnesses.They occur predominantly 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 vary from 1 millimeter to several meters.They invade the walls of the human intestine and begin to suck blood 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 serious cases, intestinal obstruction may occur and it is then necessary to seek help from a surgeon.
Larvae can also travel 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 type (including worms).
Infection symptoms
Intestinal parasites can live in a person's intestine for many years without causing any symptoms.
General symptoms and signs may appear several weeks or months after infestation and include paleness, 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:
- Swelling.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomit.
- Itching in the anal region.
- Diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool.
- The presence of worms or their particles in feces.
- 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 turn 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 by fleas, which are carried by pets.
A certain type of intestinal parasite can penetrate the skin when swimming or walking barefoot;when they reach the small or large intestine, they begin to transform into adults.
Types of intestinal parasites
Roundworms (nematodes)
Human roundwormfound throughout the world.It reaches 16 cm in length and is as thick as a pencil.
Nematodes are mainly found in tropical areas.Once they enter the intestine, they begin to suck blood from the intestinal wall.
moth.A white worm that does not reach more than half a centimeter in length.At night, they can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs in the area, which causes severe itching.
Trichinella.Cause trichinosis;you can get infected by eating contaminated and undercooked meat.
They can travel from the intestine 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 in the eyes and a rash.
Trematodes
blood wormscause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are found mainly in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. They are no more than 25 mm long and about 1 mm thick.Bloodworm eggs can be found in feces 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 porcine tapeworm.You can get infected by eating undercooked 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 over 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.Often found in domestic dogs and cats.People rarely become infected with this intestinal parasite due to the fact that the main source of spread of cucumber tapeworm eggs is fleas.
Diagnosis 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, it is necessary to donate blood and feces for analysis.
For prevention, simply follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands constantly after using the bathroom, working with soil and after contact with pets.
- Do not go barefoot or swim in shallow, still bodies of water.
- Treat meat products well with heat.
- Get medical checkups regularly.