Ascaris worm: how to get rid of it

Ascaris worm: how to get rid of it and what should you know about it?

Have you ever heard of the Ascaris worm that infects the human body? What do you know about it and is it dangerous? Here are the answers now.

Ascariasis is a roundworm that infects the small intestine of the digestive system.

Roundworms are parasitic, and infection in them is very common, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 10% of developing countries are infected with Ascaris.

The Ascaris worm is spread in areas that lack hygiene, where a person becomes infected with this worm due to unsafe food and water.

Causes of infection with the worm worm

A person becomes infected with this type of worm if he accidentally ingests the eggs of this worm, which are found in contaminated and undercooked food, and unsafe water, as we mentioned.

Children usually get infected with the Ascaris worm after they put their hands in their mouth, after they have played outside, and in places where the eggs of these worms are present, such as dirt.

Besides, it is possible that infection with Ascaris worm can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person, that is, it is contagious.

The life cycle of the Ascaris worm

In order to understand an ascaris infection, it is important to know the life cycle of this worm.

After ingesting the eggs of the worm and settling in the small intestine, it goes through several stages, where the eggs hatch in the small intestine and then the larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs.

After these larvae have matured, the worm leaves the lungs and heads towards the throat. Here, it may cough and thus exit the worms in the throat area, or swallow them and return them again while they are mature to the small intestine.

In the event that the worm of Ascaris returns to the intestinal area, it will marry there and lay more eggs, some of which come out of the body with feces, and another hatch and move to the lungs again.

Symptoms of an Ascaris Infection

At the beginning of the infestation stage and when the eggs of the worm of Ascaris are swallowed, the person does not show any symptoms.

Symptoms of an infection develop when the worm begins to grow in the small intestine, and it multiplies and moves to other places in the body.

Thus, the symptoms of infection with the worm of Ascaris in the intestine include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea or irregular bowel movements

• A blockage in the intestine that causes severe pain in the abdominal area

• Anorexia

• The presence of worms visible in the stool

• Abdominal discomfort and pain

• Weight loss

• Impaired growth in affected children due to poor nutrient absorption.

• And if the ascaris worm has spread, it may cause the following symptoms in the lungs as well:

• cough

• Whistling in the chest

• Shortness of breath

• Blood in phlegm

• A feeling of discomfort in the chest area

• High body temperature.

But if the worm spreads significantly in the body, it may suffer from extreme fatigue, in addition to all the symptoms mentioned previously.

Complications of Ascaris Infection

Most cases of this worm are mild and moderate, and do not cause any complications or health complications.

On the other hand, if worms grow and multiply in abundance in the body, they may cause the following health problems and complications:

• Bowel obstruction

• Blockage of ducts in the liver and pancreas

• Malnutrition.

It is worth noting that infected children are more likely to suffer from these complications compared to adults.

Ways to treat an injury

An ascaris infection is generally treated with anti-parasite medications, which are prescribed by a doctor.

This treatment will get rid of the worms in about 1-3 days.

If the injury is worsening, the doctor may ask you to undergo surgery in order to control the matter, especially if you suffer from a blockage in the intestine or ducts.

This is the prevention is the best way to treat this health problem.