Intestinal parasites are worms that parasitize the human intestine by feeding on its contents or sucking blood from the intestinal wall.
In humans, they can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses.They occur predominantly in children living in tropical and subtropical areas in rural Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and Central and South America.
They are relatively rare in people from the Mediterranean areas of Europe and southern North America.
The size of an adult individual can range from 1 millimeter to several meters.They penetrate the walls of the human intestine and begin to suck blood or live freely there and use 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, an intestinal obstruction may occur and you will then need to seek help from a surgeon.
The larvae can also migrate 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 intestines for many years without causing symptoms.
General symptoms and signs may appear several weeks or months after infestation and include pallor, weakness, frequent fatigue (due to anemia due to loss of blood ingested by the worms), difficulty sleeping, 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
The eggs of intestinal parasites enter the external environment along with infected human or animal feces.Outside the human body, it takes several days or weeks for the eggs 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 eating undercooked meat from domestic pigs, fish or wild animals (boar, deer, etc.).
You can also become infected from fleas transmitted 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 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 that grows no more than half a centimeter long.At night they can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs there, causing severe itching.
Trichinae.They cause trichinosis;You can become infected by eating poorly cooked, contaminated meat.
They can travel from the intestines into the muscles and other organs and form cysts, encapsulated forms that are difficult to remove.The main symptoms are pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints, swelling of the eyes and rash.
Trematodes
leechcause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are mainly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.They are a maximum of 25 mm long and about 1 mm thick.Leech eggs can be found in stool and urine.
Cestodes
Wide tapewormenters the human body through consumption of contaminated fish.The parasite can reach a length of 10 m.It is widespread in Europe and the USA.
Beef and pork tapeworm.You can become infected by eating poorly cooked beef or pork.
The parasite is widespread around the world and people living in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to infection.Adult worms can reach lengths of more than 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.Commonly found in domestic dogs and cats.Humans are rarely infected with this intestinal parasite because fleas are the main source of spread of cucumber tapeworm eggs.
Diagnostics 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 must donate blood and feces for analysis.
For prevention, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands regularly after using the toilet, working with soil, and after contact with pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in stagnant, shallow water.
- Heat treat meat products thoroughly.
- Get regular medical checkups.