Worm infections are common worldwide, affecting 25% of the population, mostly in tropical regions, and can go undetected due to varied symptoms. According to the WHO, many infected individuals are unaware of it, as symptoms are often mild.
Dewormers are over-the-counter or prescription medications available that work by disrupting worms’ metabolism to expel them from the host’s body.
Thus, I recommend you focus on 3 effective ways: good hygiene practice, good food handling practice, and regular deworming practice if you are in high-risk areas.
For this reason, I will cover how to get rid of worms in humans, symptoms of worm infections, treatment options, and prevention tips to stay healthy.
Intestinal Parasites in Humans
Worm infections, also known as helminth infections, are a type of intestinal infection caused by various species of worms, including the intestinal parasite.
These intestinal worm infections live off the human host and provide no benefits in return. A worm infection can go undetected for a long time as they slowly multiply before showing any symptoms.
About 25% of the world’s population is affected by these parasites, with the highest infection rates found in tropical and subtropical regions.
These infections can be contracted through contact with contaminated soil or ingesting worm eggs through food and water.
Common Symptoms of Worm Infections
Symptoms of worm infections can vary widely depending on the type of worm and severity of the infection. Digestive issues like bloating and gas are also common symptoms of worm infections. Some people may experience mild symptoms, while others may have more severe health issues.
Here are the common symptoms:
- Anal itching: This is common with pinworm infections.
- Stomach pain and diarrhea: This is seen in tapeworm infections.
- Weight loss and malnutrition: Worms consume the host’s nutrients, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiency.
- Visible worms in stool: In some cases, you may see live worms or worm fragments in your stool.
If you have these symptoms, especially if they’re persistent, you should consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
Types of Worms That Infect Humans
Humans can be infected by various types of parasitic infections categorized as helminths. These include roundworms, tapeworms, flukes, whipworms, and more. Each type of worm has its own characteristics and mode of transmission.
1. Roundworms (Nematodes)
Intestinal nematodes, or nematodes, include species like Ascaris lumbricoides, which causes ascariasis, and pinworms, which are common among children and cause anal itching. These worms are spread through contaminated food, water, or soil.
2. Tapeworms (Cestodes)
Intestinal cestodes like Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) and adult pork tapeworm (pork tapeworm) are acquired through consuming undercooked meat. These worms can grow several meters in length and attach to the intestinal wall and cause nutritional deficiency.
3. Flukes (Trematodes)
Intestinal trematodes like liver flukes and blood flukes are acquired through contaminated water or undercooked freshwater fish. They can cause a range of symptoms from gastrointestinal issues to more severe systemic effects.
4. Whipworms (Trichuris trichiura)
Whipworms cause intestinal trichuriasis, a condition that leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, rectal prolapse. It is spread through contaminated soil and food.
5. Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea Worm)
Parasitic nematodes are transmitted through contaminated drinking water containing infected water fleas. They cause painful skin blisters when the adult worm emerges from the skin.
6. Trichinella spiralis (Pork Worm)
Pork worms are acquired by eating undercooked pork or wild game, leading to intestinal trichinellosis. Symptoms include muscle pain, fever, and swelling.
7. Echinococcus (Hydatid Tapeworm)
Parasitic cestodes are spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated food. They can form cysts in vital organs like the liver and lungs and cause serious health issues.
How Dewormers Work
Anthelmintic drugs, or anthelmintics, are medications designed to eliminate intestinal parasites from the host’s body. They work by disrupting the worms’ metabolic process, leading to their paralysis and eventual expulsion. These medications work by disrupting the worms’ structure or metabolic pathway, starving, paralyzing, or killing them, which allows the body to expel them naturally. ( Dont try it without talking to your doctor)
Next we will explore common deworming medications and compare over-the-counter options with prescription treatments.
Common Deworming Medications
Here are some antiparasitic medications used to treat worm infections:
- Albendazole: Effective against various types of intestinal worms, including roundworms and hookworms. ( Ask your doctor first )
- Praziquantel: Effective against tapeworms and flatworms by paralyzing the parasites. ( Never try it without talking to your doctor
These can be prescribed by a doctor depending on the type and severity of the infection. Always consult a doctor for the right treatment.
OTC vs. Prescription Dewormers
Over-the-counter (OTC) antiparasitic drugs are for mild or common infections. They are available and can work for mild cases. But prescription dewormers may be needed for severe infections or if OTC treatments don’t work.
Persistent symptoms or suspected severe infections should prompt a visit to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Prescription medications can provide a more targeted treatment for specific types of worm infections.
When to See a Doctor
While many can be treated with OTC meds, severe symptoms or prolonged issues need professional help.
Consult a doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment.
When to Visit a Doctor
If you have:
- Diarrhea that lasts more than 2 weeks.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Passing live worms in stool.
- Weakened immune system or pregnancy: Higher risk of complications from untreated infections.
If you have any of these, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice for intestinal parasitic diseases.
Diagnostic Tests for Worms
Parasitic diagnostics are needed to confirm worm infections. Common tests are:
- Stool samples: Examine stool samples for parasite eggs or larvae.
- Imaging tests: X-rays or ultrasounds to locate adult worms in the intestines.
These tests will determine the type of worm causing the infection and treatment.
How to Get Rid of Worms in Humans
Preventing worms involves a combination of preventive measures, food safety, and regular deworming where recommended. People in areas with poor sanitation are at higher risk of getting infected.
1. Hygiene Practices
Washing hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating, is important in preventive hygiene to avoid worms. Maintaining strict hygiene is important, especially in households with children, to prevent threadworms.
2. Food Safety
Cooking food to safe temperatures and using clean utensils can prevent ingesting foodborne parasites. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat to reduce parasitic infections.
3. Cook Food Properly
Food safety is important to kill any parasites present. This step is especially important for tapeworm and pork worm infections, which are acquired through undercooked meat. Ensuring food is thoroughly cooked can reduce intestinal parasitic infections.
4. Drink Clean and Safe Water
In areas where water supply may be contaminated, use filtered, boiled, or bottled water to avoid waterborne parasites. This simple step can prevent waterborne worms like guinea worms.
5. Wash Fruits and Vegetables Thoroughly
Food hygiene, like rinsing fruits and vegetables under clean running water, helps remove parasites and contaminants. This is important for garden-grown fruits and vegetables that may come in contact with contaminated soil.
6. Wear Protective Footwear
Always wear preventive footwear when walking in areas with contaminated soil to prevent skin penetration by hookworms. Protective footwear acts as a barrier against parasites that enter through the skin and reduces the risk of worm infections.
This is especially important in areas with poor sanitation and sewage systems.
7. Avoid Raw or Undercooked Foods
Avoid raw seafood, meat, and wild game that may harbor parasites. Eating raw or undercooked beef or raw or undercooked pork or don’t eat any pork or undercooked foods can cause various foodborne parasitic infections, including tapeworm and pork worm infections.
My point is this: make sure all food is properly cooked to reduce the risk of ingesting parasites and intestinal infections.
Beyond avoiding raw or undercooked foods, maintain food hygiene standards during meal preparation. This includes using clean utensils, washing hands before handling food, and storing food at safe temperatures to prevent contamination.
8. Practice Good Pet Hygiene
Deworm household pets regularly and clean up pet waste promptly to prevent the spread of worms. Pets can be carriers of parasites that infect humans, so good pet hygiene is important.
This includes disposing of pet waste properly and treating pets for worms as recommended by a vet.
9. Prevent Contact with Contaminated Water
Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater sources known to harbor parasites, especially in endemic areas. Contact with contaminated water can cause infections by schistosomes.
Be cautious of water sources to prevent waterborne parasitic infections and other waterborne diseases.
10. Clean Living and Sleeping Areas
Wash bed linens, clothes, and surfaces regularly to prevent pinworm reinfections. Keep living and sleeping areas clean to prevent spreading and contracting worm infections.Regular hygiene practices, especially in households with infected individuals, are an effective way to maintain hygiene and health.
11. Regular Deworming (Where Recommended)
In high-risk areas or for vulnerable populations, consult healthcare providers for periodic deworming medications. Preventive deworming can prevent the buildup of intestinal worms and reduce the risk of severe infections.
Follow medical advice for deworming schedules to ensure effective prevention and control of worm infections.
Read More: Types of SIBO: Symptoms, Causes & Natural Treatments
Risks and Complications
Untreated intestinal parasites can cause unpleasant symptoms and parasitic complications.
Unexpected, right?
While most worm infections in humans are not serious and can be easily treated, neglecting them can cause severe complications.
Complications from Untreated Infections
Untreated parasitic diseases can cause serious diseases, including cystic formations in other parts of the body or complications from larval cysts within human tissues.
The immune response to untreated infections can cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. Long-term health impacts include nutritional deficiencies, bowel obstruction, and organ damage.
High-Risk Groups
Travelers in areas with poor sanitation are at higher risk of getting worm infections. It’s a common myth that only those with poor hygiene are susceptible to these parasites. In reality, anyone can get it regardless of cleanliness.
This includes young children and travelers to endemic areas who are more susceptible to worm infections due to increased exposure.
Home Remedies and Myths
Natural deworming methods are popular across various cultures, but their effectiveness varies. Some common remedies include consuming garlic, papaya seeds, and pumpkin seeds believed to have antiparasitic properties.
While these remedies can support deworming treatments and recovery, they should not replace proven treatments.
Effective Home Remedies
Natural antiparasitic remedies can support deworming treatments and recovery. Here are a few effective home remedies:
- Garlic: Known for its antiparasitic properties, garlic can be consumed raw or in supplements.
- Pumpkin seeds: Contains compounds that can eliminate certain types of intestinal worms.
- Probiotics: Supports the body’s natural defenses and promotes a healthy gut. Combining these remedies with conventional treatments can lead to better health outcomes. But consult a healthcare provider before combining home remedies with prescription medications to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Myths
As you can see, there are many parasitic myths surrounding worm infections and their treatments. Here are a few:
- All worms are visible and show symptoms: Some infections are asymptomatic, making them harder to detect.
- Deworming is only for children: Adults can also get worm infections and should deworm if needed.
Deworming medications are effective against most types of intestinal worms and prevent reoccurrence when used regularly.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, worm infections are a common and curable problem. Good hygiene, food safety, and regular deworming with your healthcare provider are the way to go.
