Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Worms in Humans

Warms in humans that live within and feed themselves are parasites. Numerous parasitic worms can live inside of people. They are not visible to the naked eye.

Worms that cause infection

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are a particular kind of flatworm that you might get by consuming water tainted with their eggs or larvae. Raw or undercooked meat is another method tapeworms might use to enter a person.

Hookworms

Hookworm is a particular roundworm that spreads through contaminated soil and excrement. The larvae can pierce the skin. The small intestine is the home of hookworms, which use a “hook” to cling to the intestinal wall.

Pinworms

Roundworms, known as pinworms or threadworms, are small and harmless. They reside in the colon and rectum when completely grown. When people contact the eggs and accidentally put them in their mouths, they become infected with pinworms. If the eggs get airborne, you may even breathe them in because they are so tiny. Children are more likely to contract pinworms. Infections with pinworms are often not harmful and are simple to cure. However, pinworms have occasionally been seen in the appendix in a few patients.

Symptoms

One may experience mild to no symptoms.

The general signs include,

  • Nausea.
  • Inadequate appetite.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Abdomen ache.
  • Slim down.
  • General weakness.
  • Allergy.
  • Fever.
  • Lumps or pimples beneath the skin.

Treatment for worms in humans

Symptoms

No matter what kind of worm you have, treatment for worm infections is the same regardless of the type. To check for worm eggs, you could be requested to produce a sample of your feces. A doctor will prescribe medication to kill any worms you may have. Take this for one to three days. The folks you reside with can also require medical attention. Any intestinal worms will ultimately expel themselves in your feces. You might have missed this.

Ways to prevent worms enter into the body.

  • Refrain from eating raw or undercooked meat, fish, or fowl.
  • You may prevent cross-contamination by keeping the core apart from other items during meal preparation.
  • Clean surfaces, cutting boards, or tools that come into contact with raw meat.
  • Never consume raw watercress or any other freshwater plant.
  • Avoid going barefoot in areas where the ground may have excrement in it.
  • One must remove animals’ waste as soon as feasible.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022