Parasitic worm infections: An Ultimate Guide
Do you remember your mother's warning to wash your hands before eating food? Your mother does because she wanted to protect you against the parasitic worm infections dangerous if not treated.
So, are you suffering from parasitic worm infections and want to know about them in detail? If so, then you have reached the right destination. In this blog, you will know in detail about this infection.
What are parasitic worms?
Parasitic worms are mainly the organisms that live and feed on another living being to survive. Some parasites do not affect their hosts, while others grow, reproduce and invade organ systems.
As a result, you fall sick and suffering from a parasitic infection. The chance of parasite infection is more in places with poor sanitation facilities.
Due to This reason, parasitic worm infection cases are mainly found in developing countries and rural areas.
Symptoms of parasitic infections?
When you suffer from parasitic infection, you often experience the below-stated symptoms:
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
On the other hand, a parasitic infection caused by tapeworms make you suffer from:
Neurological problems like seizures
- Lumps or bumps
- Fever
- Allergic reaction
While suffering from a Fluke infection, you might notice the symptoms after few weeks or a month like:
- Fatigue
- Fever
Parasitic infection caused by hookworms make you suffer from:
- Itchy rash
- Fatigue
- Anemia
Which are the common worms that cause parasitic infection?
Always remember that flatworms and roundworms are the main culprits behind the parasitic infection. Both types of parasitic worms are found in different habitats and are not visible to the naked eye.
Here are some common worms that are responsible for causing parasitic infection.
Tapeworm
It is a type of flatworm, and you can get a tapeworm by drinking water contaminated with tapeworm eggs.
One of the other ways tapeworms find their way into your body is by raw or undercooked meat.
Into your intestinal wall, tapeworms embed their heads and remain there and gradually start producing eggs.
When their eggs mature into larvae, they get migrated into different parts of your body.
Trichinosis worms
Trichinosis worms are mainly passed among animals, and the way they enter the human body is by eating meat.
Uncooked meat often contains the larvae of trichinosis, and gradually these larvae mature into your intestines.
When they start reproducing, the larvae travel outside your intestines and enter into muscle and then tissue.
Flukes
Flukes are the type of flatworm, and raw watercress and freshwater plants are the main sources of humans' chances.
You can also get them by drinking polluted water. Remember, Flukes make their home in your intestines, tissues, and blood.
There are several varieties when it comes to flukes, but none of them grow more than a few inches in length.
Pinworms
Pinworms are also known as threadworms. These worms are mall in size and often found in children.
When these roundworms get fully matured, they start living in the colon and rectum.
On the other hand, female pinworms mainly lay eggs during the male reproductive organ's nighttime.
The eggs can easily survive on bedding, clothing as well as other materials.
You often contact them when you touch the eggs and end up putting them in your mouth.
The eggs of pinworms are so small that you can even breathe them in if they turn out to be airborne.
Pinworm infections are mainly harmless and can be treated easily.
Who is more at risk of parasitic infections?
Any person can suffer from a parasitic infection. But there are a few people who have more risk than others.
You are more likely to suffer from this kind of infections if you:
- Do not have access to clean drinking water
- Have a weak immune system or already suffering from any disease
- Often swim in rivers, lakes, or ponds where Giardia other types of parasites are common.
- Work with soil regularly or work in childcare, where you come into contact with feces often.
How are parasitic infections treated?
Depending upon your condition and the type of parasitic infection, you will be diagnosed with a treatment.
However, most of the time, the doctor generally prescribed medications to treat this type of infection.
To relieve your symptoms, the doctor might also direct you to other treatments. Some medicine like Zentel ( Albendazole ) is a most common medicine used in worm Infection.
If you think you are suffering from a parasitic infection, then make an appointment with your doctor today.
In this way, the doctor will diagnose the right cause of your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan accordingly.
Therefore, by getting treatment on time, you can stop the spread of infection effectively.
