Roundworm Symptoms

When someone talks about a human parasite, they could be referring to the roundworm. It is one of the more common parasites that use man as its host. However, there isn't just one type of roundworm that finds its way into our systems. Two of the most common roundworms are trichinellosis, which is the main culprit of trichinosis, and ascaris, the reason behind ascariasis. If an individual is unlucky enough to ingest the eggs from one of these parasites, it can cause an infection that brings with it a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

Absence of Symptoms

• At the very onset of a roundworm infection, many people won't display any symptoms. This is largely due to the severity of the infestation, as there may only be a few larvae in the body. When a person ingests the eggs of a roundworm, the acids in the stomach allow these eggs to break open and the larvae to burrow into body tissue where they can now mature and breed. It isn't until the number increases, sometimes only slightly, that people start to display any symptoms.

Digestive Disturbance

• For most people, a roundworm infection causes disturbances within the digestive system. Typically, this will manifest as some level of pain or cramping within the abdominal region. When this happens, it isn't due to the larvae penetrating the walls of the stomach, but actually the lining of the intestines. Most of the time, this pain or cramping, especially in earlier stages of an infection, will be subtle or dull. The person may begin to produce loose, watery stools or dark, tarry stools, which is an indication of some intestinal bleeding due to the infestation. And he may also experience periodic episodes of nausea.

Intestinal Distress

• Staying within this same region of the body, an infected individual can suffer worsening symptoms of a parasitic infestation. As the roundworms continue to experience an influx in their numbers, a person may begin to undergo some weight loss as well as more severe abdominal cramping and more frequent episodes of nausea, sometimes so severe that it will cause some vomiting. However, this vomit may not just hold food products, but also the roundworms themselves.

Respiratory Issues

• Depending on the type of roundworm, some people suffer from issues involving their respiration. This happens when the larvae find their way into a person's lungs. Once here, they burrow into the tissue where they can now mature and breed. This will cause a person to experience a shortness of breath, some wheezing and a cough.

Other Symptoms

• If the larvae are allowed to infiltrate a person's bloodstream, the infestation can continue to move throughout the body. When this occurs, a person can begin to undergo pain and discomfort in the muscles of the body as well as suffer from some swelling in the face. For some people, a parasitic infection will prompt more frequent headaches or fevers. For others, it will cause a greater sensitivity to light or even pink eye, according to the Mayo Clinic. It depends on how the body reacts to the infestation of the roundworms.