Intestinal worms, otherwise known as parasitic worms or intestinal parasites, are a type of infection usually caused by poor personal hygiene and a contaminated lifestyle. These simple organisms live in the intestines of the infected person. Depending on the human body, there are thousands of parasites in this world. Each of these comes in many shapes and sizes and can cause different problems in humans. These can happen to anyone. But most intestinal worms are found in children.
Types of Intestinal Worms in Humans
Even though many types of parasites infect humans, only five are very harmful. They are:
- Tapeworm
- Threadworm
- Hookworm
- Roundworm
- Whipworm
Symptoms of Intestinal Worms
Symptoms differ from person to person, depending on the type of worm present. Yet, common signs and symptoms of intestinal worms are:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Anal itching
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Gas
- Constipation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Irritation
- Redness
Serious symptoms that indicate a life-threatening condition include:
- Fever over 102 degrees
- Blood and mucus in the stool
- Dehydration
- Sudden or extreme abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood
- Diarrhea that continues for more than 2-3 days in an adult
- Diarrhea continues for 24 hours in a child
Causes of Intestinal Worms
Worms can enter the body in various ways, depending on the type. However, some common causes that can trigger an intestinal worm infection include:
- Consuming contaminated foods
- Drinking polluted water
- Eating raw or undercooked meat (infected animal meat)
- Consuming contaminated soil
- Poor personal hygiene
- living in a hot or tropical climate
- Consuming more sweets
Treatments for Intestinal Worms
If you have a strong immune system and a healthy lifestyle, some types of worms, such as tapeworms, will go away on their own. However, your treatment plan will vary depending on the other types of worms. Yet, if you have the signs and symptoms given above, you should not ignore them and consult your doctor immediately. Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor will prescribe your treatment. In that regard, albendazole, mebendazole, secnidazole, tenidazole and metronidazole are the most commonly prescribed drugs. People should follow the treatment guidelines to prevent the worm from coming back.
How to Prevent Intestinal Worms?
To prevent intestinal worms, practice good hygiene.
- Always wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after using the toilet and before handling food or eating
- Avoid consuming raw meat and fish
- Always wash fruit and vegetables before eating
- Use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables
- Avoid sharing personal items with others
- Avoid defecating in fields and other open places
- Always wear shoes when in areas of moist, sandy soil
- Never forget to wash your hands after handling dogs
- Avoid swimming in contaminated water
- Try to use hot water to clean meats
- Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meats
- Reduce eating too much sweets
