Intestinal Worms: Risk, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Intestinal worms are simple organisms that feed off the human body. Parasitic worms are another name for these beings.

These parasites have obstructed human health as they feed off the nutrients from their body. Furthermore, they stun physical and cognitive growth in children. Moreover, parasitic intestinal infections are more prevalent in children than adults.

Scroll down to know more about the risk factors, causes, signs and treatment for intestinal worms.

Intestinal worms are the most common parasite found inside the human body. More than 1.5 billion people suffer from intestinal worms each year worldwide. People living in subtropical and tropical regions tend to experience intestinal infections more.

Early diagnosis of intestinal worms is vital to avoid complications. However, they are curable and respond well to medications and treatment.

The most common types of intestinal worms are:

• Tapeworms
• Flukes
• Hookworm
• Roundworm (Ascaris)
• Whipworm (Trichuris)
• Pinworms
• Trichinella

These parasites enter the human body through infected excreta. For example, hookworms transmitted from walking barefoot, whereas the roundworms and whipworms transmit from swallowing the parasite's eggs.

Intestinal worms are of various types; hence different species will show different signs. However, they share some typical symptoms, and they are:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Appetite loss
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• General weakness

Additionally, some people may start passing segments of these intestinal worms through their night soil.

The symptoms of intestinal worms in adults are slightly different from children. They might face complete blockage of bowel movements due to intestinal infections. Adults might also face itching in their rectum and vulva.

In some rare cases, individuals are contaminated with tapeworms and they suffer from neurological problems like seizures. Furthermore, Trichinella can cause conjunctivitis, fever, headache, and muscle pain in adults.

There are a variety of factors behind contracting intestinal worms. The most common way is to consume the meat of infected animals like cows, pigs, or fish. Other major causes are:

• Poor sanitation and hygiene
• Drinking contaminated water
• Consumption of anything from contaminated soil
• Contact with tainted excretion

The moment a person consumes anything that is infected, the parasite travels into that individual's intestine. There they reproduce and grow and start showing symptoms once they manage to multiply in size and number.

Children in the age group of 3 to 8 are at a higher risk of contracting these worms. However, adults can also contract intestinal worms.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), intestinal infections are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• The Americas
• China
• East Asia.

In an adult's body, these worms produce at least a thousand eggs each day, whereas, in children, these worms disrupt the overall growth. Further, risk factors include -

• Intestinal worms have adverse effects on the human body. They increase the risk of developing anemia and intestinal blockage.
• Furthermore, individuals with a compromised immune system can suffer more and face complications like people who have HIV/AIDS infection.
• Additionally, pregnant women pose a higher risk of transmitting parasitic worms. In all these cases, people can have seizures.
• In children, it stuns their physical and cognitive development. As a result, their immune system grows weaker, and they face various health complications as they grow old. 

If the contaminated faeces are not correctly disposed of, they can contaminate the soil. This way, the worms will reach the vegetables and fruits. As a result, people consuming these contaminated fruits and veggies will be at severe risk of intestinal worm transmission.

If an individual faces the earlier mentioned symptoms, one should immediately consult a doctor. A doctor will then examine the individuals' stool samples to confirm the intestinal worm's presence.

Another standard procedure is the "Scotch Tape" test, where a tape is applied several times to the anus. This is done to retrieve the parasite eggs, then studied under the microscope.

Doctors can also ask to do blood tests to look for antibodies created when these intestinal worms infect the human body. However, this is not the best way to detect parasites as most of them don't create any antibodies.

Additionally, doctors can also advise an X-Ray, CT and MRI scan to find out the exact location of these intestinal worms.

Parasitic worms seem frightening, but they are easily treated with medications. A person with a strong immune system can fight off these worms without any medications.

However, doctors can prescribe certain antiparasitic drugs to get completely rid of intestinal worms. For example, medical practitioners prescribe praziquantel (Biltricide) for tapeworms and mebendazole or albendazole for hookworms. On the other hand, flukes respond well to over the counter medications, but Triclabendazole is also prescribed.

Additionally, individuals with solid immunity can also try home remedies to clear out intestinal worms. For example, the consumption of papaya seeds, pumpkin seeds, berberine and wormwood can help.

To prevent getting intestinal worms, one should wash his or her hands with warm water before and after using the toilet.

Furthermore, individuals should follow certain food safety practices stated below:

• Avoid eating raw fish and meats
• Freezing meat and fish at - 20°C
• Cooking meat thoroughly
• Cooked meat should be rested for 3 mins before eating
• Thoroughly washing and peeling vegetables and fruits before eating

In addition, an individual should avoid walking barefoot outside their homes, especially on farmlands. These are a few ways one can prevent intestinal worms from getting inside the body.

The severity and length of the illnesses caused by intestinal worms will vary depending on the variety of the worm. Tapeworms and pinworms generally don't cause much harm and clear up quickly with treatment.

However, if one observes that he or she is showing signs of having intestinal worms, one should consult a doctor.