Intestinal parasites in adults and children: symptoms, signs, prevention and control methods

Intestinal parasites are worms that parasitize the human intestine, feed on its contents, or form blood from the intestinal wall.

They can cause serious, life-threatening diseases in humans. They are mainly found in children living in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia and Central and South America.

People from the Mediterranean region of Europe and the south of North America are relatively rare.

The size of an adult can range 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.

Intestinal parasites

The result of the vital activity of such parasites is inflammation of the small or large intestine, ulcers, anemia, vitamin deficiency (mainly A, C, B12). In more severe cases, intestinal obstruction may occur and then a surgeon should be contacted for help.

Larvae can spread to other organs (liver, spleen, bladder, muscles, lungs, brain), where they form cysts and cause allergic inflammation.

Invasion is the infection of a person, animal or plant with all kinds of parasites (including worms).

Symptoms of infection

Intestinal parasites can live in a person's gut for years without any symptoms.

Common symptoms and signs may appear weeks or months after the invasion and may manifest as pallor, weakness, frequent fatigue (from anemia due to blood loss caused by worms), sleep disturbances, and weight loss.

Abdominal symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months and include:

  • Swelling.
  • Bad breath.
  • Anorexia.
  • Do not vomit.
  • 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 environment together with the infected feces of humans or animals. Eggs outside the human body develop into cysts or immature worms (larvae) that can enter the human body from dirty hands or when eating raw unwashed vegetables.

Another source of infection is the use of undercooked meat from domestic pigs, fish or wild animals (wild boar, deer, etc. ).

It is also possible to become infected with fleas carried by pets.

Some intestinal parasites can enter through the skin while bathing or walking barefoot; when they reach the small or large intestine, they begin to mature.

Parasites can enter the human body through dirty hands

Types of intestinal parasites

Roundworms (nematodes)

Man built a roundfound all over the world. It reaches 16 cm in length and is as thick as a pencil.

Nematodes are mainly found in the tropics. After entering the intestines, they begin to suck blood from the intestinal wall.

The size of Ascaris

Pinworm. . . White worm, less than half a centimeter in length. At night, it can come to the surface from the anus and lay eggs in the area, which causes severe itching.

Pinworms

Trichinella.They cause trichinosis, which can be transmitted if you eat poorly cooked contaminated meat.

They can travel from the intestines to muscles and other organs, where they form cysts - in the form of capsules that are difficult to get rid of. The main symptoms are pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints, swelling in the eyes and skin rashes.

Trichinella

Trematodes

Blood is shedcauses intestinal schistosomiasis. It is mainly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. Length not more than 25 mm and thickness not more than 1 mm. Blood fluke eggs are found in feces and urine.

Blood is shed

Cestodes

Wide ribbonenters the human body through the consumption of contaminated fish. The length of the parasite can reach 10 m. Widespread in Europe and the United States.

Wide ribbon

Beef and pork worms.You can get it by eating poorly cooked beef or pork.

The parasite is found all over the world, and people living in rural areas are especially susceptible to infection. The length of adult worms can be more than 20 m.

The pig tied the ribbon

Cucumber tapeworm.Common in domestic dogs and cats. Humans are rarely infected with this intestinal parasite because lice are the main source of the spread of cucumber lenteworm eggs.

Cucumber tapeworm

Diagnosis and prevention

If you suffer from unexplained bloating, diarrhea, weakness, or weight loss, your doctor should first suspect intestinal parasites as a possible cause. To confirm this, blood and feces must be donated for analysis.

It is enough to follow the following recommendations for prevention:

  • Wash your hands regularly after using the toilet, working the soil and contact with pets.
  • Do not walk barefoot or swim in stagnant shallow water.
  • Treat meat products thoroughly.
  • Get regular medical checkups.