While the idea of having worms in stomach may sound disgusting or disturbing, these intestinal parasites can really attack one's digestive system.
Intestinal Worms Explained
Intestinal worms, which are also called parasitic worms, are among the main types of intestinal parasites among humans. While certain types are present across the US, they are most common in tropical and subtropical areas.
There are various types of intestinal worms. Some of the common ones are flukes and tapeworms, which are both flatworms, and hookworms, pinworms, and ascariasis, which are all roundworms.
Humans may get certain tapeworm species through the consumption of raw or uncooked beef or pork. It is believed that less than a thousand people across the US get tapeworm infections each year. Up to 25-meter-long tapeworms have been found among humans.
As for flukes, over 70 types can live in the intestinal tract of humans. They can be as small as less than an inch to several inches. Flukes can infect humans through the consumption of contaminated water and food.
Moving on, over one billion individuals all over the world are thought to have been infected with pinworms. These worms are also the most common that infect individuals in North America, with cases among children being most prevalent. These infections can be passed easily among individuals who live in close quarters.
Hookworms, on the other hand, are believed to have infected 576 to 740 million individuals. While they used to be common across the US, they have become less prevalent along with the improvement of living standards. Most individuals who are infected with hookworms do not exhibit any symptoms.
Moreover, Ascariasis, which is an Ascaris lumbricoides infection, affects over 800,000 million individuals all over the world, though it is quite rare in the US. Ascariasis infections surface from water and food that are contaminated. Adult worms can span up to a foot in length. In most cases, no symptoms are exhibited.
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How To Tell If You Have These Intestinal Parasites
General symptoms of intestinal worms include abdominal pain, bloating and gas, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
It is also possible for a person with intestinal worms to experience dysentery, which is an infection of the intestine that leads to diarrhea with mucus and blood in the stool. These worms may also lead to itching or rashes in the vulva or rectum.
In certain cases, one may pass a worm in the stool when bowel movement happens. Even someone who does not exhibit symptoms could find worm signs in the stool.
Worms found in the feces of humans could take on various appearances. Roundworms may appear to be in pieces or may even be live and huge worms in the poop. Pinworms may look like tiny pieces of white threat. These pinworms can sometimes be seen in the anal region during the night when female ones lay eggs on the skin that surrounds the area.
To confirm a diagnosis, a stool sample can be analyzed by a doctor in the laboratory to look for signs of eggs or worms.
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