Ascaris Lumbricoides Disease

Ascaris lumbricoides is a type of nematode. Nematodes are roundworms that are found in all sizes. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest of all nematodes. Ascaris lumbricoides is a parasite that feeds upon your body in order to live and reproduce. While a mild infestation caused by Ascaris lumbricoides can be minor, being infected with hundreds of these worms will cause serious complications.

Infection Causes

• Fruit grown with human feces can cause Ascaris lumbricoides infections.

  An infection from Ascaris lumbricoides occurs when you ingest food or drink contaminated with feces containing the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides. Children can become infected with Ascaris lumbricoides eggs while playing in dirt that is contaminated. Countries that use human feces as a source of fertilizer can also contribute to contamination. The Mayo Clinic recognizes that nearly 25 percent of people within the world are infected with ascariasis, the disease that results from being infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. Once you ingest Ascaris lumbricoides eggs, it can take a few days for the eggs to hatch into larvae. The larvae migrate to your lungs to mature. This process can take two weeks. The larvae then make their way into your intestines and develop into adults where adult worms can live for two years.

Diseases

• Being infected with Ascaris lumbricoides can lead to nutritional problems, intestinal blockages, perforations, and duct blockages. Being heavily infected can cause the malabsorption of nutrients and lack of appetite. Heavy infestations can lead to the roundworms blocking the intestines and the ducts of the liver and pancreas. Intestinal blockages can eventually lead to perforations of the intestinal wall and appendix. Perforations of the appendix can result in appendicitis, while perforation of the intestinal wall can cause hemorrhaging.

Eosinophilic Pneumonia

• Pulmonary eosinophilia can develop in your chest.

  When the larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides migrate to the lungs, simple pulmonary eosinophilia can develop from larval movement within the lungs. Simple pulmonary eosinophilia is a type of pneumonia. The larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides can cause chest pain, coughing, fever, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Developing these symptoms requires prompt attention from your physician to prevent further complications.

Treatments

• Surgery is done to repair damage.

  If you suffer from a mild infection from Ascaris lumbricoides, treatments may be unnecessary. Mild cases usually resolve on their own due to the lack of male worms to mate with females. However, heavy infestations require treatment. Anti-parasitic medications are given to help kill adult Ascaris lumbricoides worms. You can expect to experience abdominal cramping and diarrhea. If these symptoms persist and become irksome, contact your physician. In rare instances when you've suffered a blockage or perforation, surgery is conducted to repair the damage caused by the worms.

Prevention/Solution

• Drink only bottled water when traveling.

  Since higher infection rates occur in developing countries (such as tropical and subtropical regions), drink only water that is bottled. Don't eat any fruits or vegetables in such countries unless you can prepare the foods yourself. Eat foods that are thoroughly cooked. Always wash your hands prior to eating. Since it is possible to recontaminate yourself with Ascaris lumbricoides, always wash your hands after using the restroom.