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 life-threatening diseases.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 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 deficiency of vitamins (mainly A, C, B12).In more severe cases, intestinal obstruction may occur and then it is necessary 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 type (including worms).
Symptoms of infection
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 (due to anemia due to blood loss 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 area.
- Diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool.
- The presence of worms or their particles in the feces.
- Itching and rash on the skin.
- Puffiness 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, 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 by eating raw, unwashed vegetables.
Another source of infection is the consumption of undercooked meat from domestic pork, fish or wild animals (wild boar, deer, etc.).
It can also be infected through fleas, which are transmitted 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 develop into adults.
Types of intestinal parasites
Intestinal worms (nematodes)
human wormfound all over the world.It reaches a length of 16 cm and is the thickness of a pencil.
Nematodes are found mainly in tropical areas.Once they enter the intestines, they begin to suck blood from the intestinal wall.
pinworms.A white worm that does not reach more than half a centimeter in length.At night, they can surface from the anus and lay eggs in the area, causing intense itching.
Trichinella.They cause trichinosis;You can become infected by eating contaminated and undercooked meat.
They can travel from the intestines to the 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 a skin rash.
Trematodes
blood flukescause intestinal schistosomiasis.They are mainly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.They are no more than 25 mm long and approximately 1 mm thick.Blood fluke eggs can be found in feces and urine.
cestodes
had wideIt enters the human body through the consumption of contaminated fish.The parasite can reach 10 m in length.It is widespread in Europe and the United States.
I had bovine and pork.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 more than 20 m.
Cucumber tapeworm.It is often found in domestic dogs and cats.People rarely become infected with this intestinal parasite because the main source of spread of cucumber tapeworm eggs is fleas.
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, it is necessary to donate blood and feces for analysis.
For prevention, just follow the following recommendations:
- Wash your hands frequently after using the bathroom, working with dirt, and after contact with pets.
- Do not walk barefoot or swim in shallow, stagnant bodies of water.
- Heat treat meat products thoroughly.
- Get regular medical exams.