Intestinal Worms in Humans

Intestinal worms affect millions of people throughout the world, from poverty-stricken communities in developing countries to towns in the United States. Understanding the life cycle of intestinal worms and the role unsanitary conditions play in human infection highlights the importance of teaching your children to practice good health habits.

Life Cycle

• Intestinal worms are parasites that invade your body through contact with infested soil. Once these worms settle in your intestines, you excrete worm eggs in your feces; these eggs mature in the soil in about two to three weeks. In areas where human waste is not controlled properly, others can ingest the eggs through contaminated food, water or--in the case of many children--by putting their hands in their mouths after playing in the dirt. You also can develop an intestinal worm infection by walking barefoot on infested soil, which allows the larvae to penetrate your skin.

Types

• According to the World Health Organization, the three most common intestinal worms causing infection in humans are roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus) and whipworms (Trichuris trichiura). Roundworms cause ascariasis (roundworm infections) in more than 1 billion people, most typically in children between the ages of 3 and 8, according to the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. Hookworms affect about 740 million people each year, especially those living in unsanitary conditions. Whipworms cause trichuriasis (whipworm infections) in nearly 800 million people yearly, particularly children.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of intestinal worms in humans vary depending upon the type of worm and the severity of your infection. If you have a mild infection, you may show no symptoms at all; in fact, the more severe your symptoms are, the more severe your worm infection is likely to be. Abdominal pain, coughing, fever, wheezing, vomiting and having problems sleeping are possible symptoms of ascariasis. If you have hookworms, you may notice abdominal pain or nausea; a severe infection can cause anemia, especially if you're pregnant or suffer from malnutrition. Whipworms may cause bloody or loose stools, stomach pain and unexplained weight loss.

Treatment

• If you suspect that you or your child are infected, your doctor will ask about symptoms and collect a stool sample for lab testing. If worm eggs are present, the number of eggs will be noted since that indicates the extent of your infection. Depending upon your age, your health status and the type of intestinal worm causing your infection, your doctor typically will prescribe medications such as mebendazole, albendazole or pyrantel to kill or expel the worms.

Prevention/Solution

• Practicing good hygiene and living in sanitary conditions are important steps in preventing intestinal worms in humans. Wash your hands regularly and make sure that all human waste is disposed of in a sanitary fashion. Since children have a heightened risk of developing intestinal worm infections, teach your little one good hygiene habits such as not putting his hands in his mouth or sucking on her thumb when playing outside in the dirt. Always make sure your child wears shoes when playing outside.