What are Intestinal Worms?

Intestinal worms are those of the worms that live intestines and reside inside the host's body so as to nourish themselves. They are also varied in shape and may either be microscopic or macroscopic. Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms reside among human beings. Infection is done when eggs or larvae of the worms are ingested into the body through unclean food, water, or soil.

When they enter the intestines, the worms will continue feeding and breeding themselves and a variety of other health complications such as fatigue, malnutrition, abdominal cramps, and other complications in case they are not treated.

Types of Intestinal Worms

It is quite easy to know signs of parasitic infection and symptoms and seek the correct treatment with some information about the different types of intestinal worms.

Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides)

These are 13 inches long and infect into the body through dirty food or water. Infection of the roundworm would likely result in bloating, nausea, and stomach pain.

Hookworms

Hookworms are long, flat, thread-like worms that get inside the body via skin, primarily the foot. Upon infection, they anchor on the intestinal wall and feed on blood as a source of nutrients, the sole drawback sometimes anemia and protein loss.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are ribbon-like flat worms and inhabit the intestines for years. Tapeworm infection infect the body by invading raw or uncooked organs and meat and give acute digestive discomfort, loss of weight, and vitamin deficiency.

Whipworms

Whipworms are found in children and infect the large intestine. Whipworms induce diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal prolapse in severe cases.

Pinworms

Pinworms are most prevalent in children and result in stinging pain around and within the anus, particularly at night.

Intestinal Worm Symptoms

Human symptoms of intestinal worms vary depending upon the worm, size of the worm, and immune response of the host. General parasitic infection symptoms are:

  • Abdominal cramps or pain
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Weakness and tiredness
  • Loss of weight despite normal eating
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Saw worms or eggs in stool
  • Anus itching, which in the majority of cases is night-time
  • Anemia (for hookworm disease)
  • Malnutrition caused by repeated infections
Irritability, stunted growth, and school attention problems are also signs of worm infestation in children.


Causes of Intestinal Worm Infections

are mostly hygiene, food, and environment. Of the most common causative causes of infection are

  • Infected food or water with: Raw meat or raw meat, vegetables washed in dirty water, or foods cooked in dirty surroundings carry worm eggs.
  • Unhygienic surroundings: Pets don't do their business and human faeces are discarded, creating room for worms to infest unhygienic soil.
  • Barefoot: Hookworm larvae penetrate the body via the skin, especially soles of the feet.
  • Contact with an infected individual: Intestinal worms are transmitted from one individual to another or in huge quantities such as schools by contact with the affected surface.
  • Unhygienic living habits: Not washing before eating or after using the toilet creates opportunities for infection.

Diagnosis of Intestinal Worms

Effective treatment only occurs if there is an accurate diagnosis. The most frequent test that is administered to determine whether or not there are worms is a stool test for worms, where a laboratory under microscopic examination looks for parasites or eggs in a stool sample.
In some instances, doctors also administer the following:

  • Blood tests (to ascertain whether or not there is anemia or immune response to infection)
  • Imaging procedures such as ultrasound or X-rays (to confirm heavy worm infection or tapeworm cysts)
  • Tape test (to confirm pinworms near the anus)
The treatment received early will be able to stop complications and is more effective.

Intestinal Worms Treatment

Treatment for the majority of intestinal worm infection can be achieved by taking deworming tablets. The medicine for “how to get rid of intestinal worms” to be consumed would depend on the parasite and the severity of infection.

Prescription Deworming Pills

Albendazole and Mebendazole are broad-spectrum generic anti-parasitic drugs for hookworm expulsion, whipworm expulsion, and roundworm expulsion.

  • Praziquantel is indicated for tapeworm expulsion.
  • Pyrantel pamoate is typically administered in pinworm therapy, particularly in children.
The medications are typically administered in courses of one-day or two days and followed at regular intervals for total expulsion.

Natural Remedies (with caution)

Others attempt to treat themselves with garlic, pumpkin seeds, or papaya seeds. These will decrease symptoms somewhat but are not a replacement for medical care. Procrastination and self-medication are to be avoided, especially in children, as by lack of treatment, irreversible damage can be caused.

Prevention Tips against Intestinal Worms

Prevention of intestinal worms is part of the way to not experience recurrences and general well-being. Some of the below prevent an infection of intestinal parasite infection:

  • Wash hands repeatedly especially after meals and after visiting the toilet
  • Don't walk bare foot on infested soil or muddy soil
  • Don't consume unfiltered clean water and unfiltered water
  • Bake meat enough but even more enough pork, beef, and fish
  • Wash vegetables and fruits before eating them
  • Cleaning bathroom and kitchen
  • Children and animal daily deworming as recommended by the doctor
  • Cut nails short and prohibit nail biting in children
Regular screening in high-risk areas and mass health education also reduce transmission of worm infections.

Conclusion

Intestinal worms are more prevalent than most individuals know, particularly where there is poor sanitation and no clean water. Even though they are usually simply easy to treat, neglecting the symptoms early enough causes malnutrition, worsening of the condition, and stunting in children.

Correct identification of the symptoms early on, diagnosis, and adherence to correct treatment procedures, along with observing good sanitary measures, will kill the worms, as well as prevent reinfestation. Daily precautions and safety against the silent intruders acts as the most effective defense mechanism. If you feel that you are infected with worms, then consult a doctor for early treatment .

Please book an appointment with the best Gastroenterologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.