Parasitic Worms in People

Millions of people are infected by parasitic worms that live inside the human body. There are more than 100 different types of these worms and each worm varies in size, living location, and its affects on the body. There are many different ways that these parasitic worms can enter the human body, and many different types of signs and symptoms.

Entry

• Parasitic worms can enter the body through food, water, mosquito bites, clothing, skin or through the nose. Most commonly these worms enter the body as a result of poor sanitation methods, such as through poorly cooked meat or contaminated water. Once the worms have entered the body they live inside the digestive tract or spinal area and feed on the food eaten by the host. Because of this, people who have been infected by parasitic worms are often tired and fatigued as the body is not properly able to absorb nutrients.

Signs and Symptoms

• The signs of parasitic worms in humans are varied. They can cause fatigue, depression, weight loss, constipation, anemia, skin rashes, headaches and diarrhea. Each parasitic worm has slightly different symptoms and these vary in their degree of seriousness. Round worms, for example, can cause severe stomach pain and vomiting and sometimes even pneumonia-like symptoms. Pin worms cause anal itching in the patient and result in a swollen anus.

Treatment

• Doctors should be consulted if you think you or someone else may be infected with a parasitic worm. The doctors will most commonly take a stool sample to ascertain the type of worm that is living inside the body and will then prescribe a treatment. Normally this treatment will be in the form of a vermicide, which is a drug that kills parasitic worms. It has also been reported that consuming pumpkin seeds, peppermint, cloves, fennel seeds and grapefruit seeds can help naturally kill parasites within the body.

Prevention

• Many of the parasitic worm infections occur in Third World countries because of the lack of hygiene and sanitation that exist there. Southeast Asia and Africa are two particular countries that are known for their high rate of parasitic worm infections, so travelers to these areas should be careful to only drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food. Other ways to prevent parasitic worm infections include washing your hands before and after eating, washing vegetables and fruits before eating, bathing daily and washing your clothes on a regular basis.