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 or even fatal illness.They occur mainly in children living in tropical and subtropical areas of rural Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and Central and South America.
In populations of the Mediterranean regions 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 it or live freely there, using nutrients.
The result of the vital activity of these 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 you should contact a surgeon for help.
The 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 kind (including worms).
Infection symptoms
Intestinal parasites can live in a person's intestine for many years without causing symptoms.
General symptoms and signs may appear several weeks or months after infestation and include paleness, weakness, frequent fatigue (due to anemia from loss of blood absorbed by the worms), trouble sleeping, and weight loss.
Abdominal symptoms can last from several weeks to several months and include:
- Bloating.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- To vomit.
- Itching in the anal area.
- Diarrhea.
- Blood in the stools.
- The presence of worms or their particles in the stools.
- Itching and rashes.
- Swelling around the eyes.
Sources of infection
Eggs of intestinal parasites enter the external environment along with infected feces of people or animals.Outside the human body, 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 eating raw, unwashed vegetables.
Another source of infection is the consumption of undercooked domestic pork, fish or wild animals (wild boar, deer, etc.).
You can also be infected by fleas, carried by pets.
A certain type of intestinal parasite can penetrate the skin by 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 roundwormwhich are found 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.Once they enter the intestines, they begin to suck blood from the intestinal wall.
pinworm.A white worm, barely half a centimeter long.At night, they can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs in its area, causing severe itching.
Trichinella.They cause trichinosis;You can become infected by eating contaminated and undercooked 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 abdominal, muscle, joint pain, eye swelling and rash.
Trematodes
Blood flukescause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are mainly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.They measure no more than 25mm in length and approximately 1mm in thickness.Blood fluke eggs can be found in stool and urine.
Cestodes
Large tapewormenters the human body through consumption of contaminated fish.The parasite can reach 10 m in length.It is widespread in Europe and the United States.
Bovine and porcine tapeworm.You can become infected by eating undercooked beef or pork.
The parasite is widespread worldwide and people living in rural areas are particularly susceptible to infection.Adult worms can reach lengths greater than 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.It is often found in domestic dogs and cats.People rarely become infected with this intestinal parasite because fleas are the main source of spread of cucumber tapeworm eggs.
Diagnosis and prevention
If you experience unexplained bloating, diarrhea, weakness, or weight loss, your doctor should first suspect intestinal parasites as a possible cause.To confirm this, you need to donate blood and stool for analysis.
For prevention, simply follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands constantly after using the toilet, after working with soil, and after contact with pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in stagnant, shallow bodies of water.
- Treat meat products carefully.
- Have regular medical exams.