Ascariasis is defined as a roundworm infection. The said worms reside in the small intestine and are parasites. They use the human body in the form of the host to grow in size from eggs that develop into adult worms. Only adult worms have reproducing abilities and can be 30 cm long. There are many causes of Ascariasis . As far as animals are concerned, ascariasis lumbricoides are mainly found in pigs. The critical question is, how is Ascariasis lumbricoides transmitted to humans? There are many ways through which humans get infected by this worm. Ascariasis most often grows in young children in tropical and subtropical regions.
Causes of Ascariasis lumbricoides
Ascariasis does not transmit directly from one person to another person. Ascariasis lumbricoides to infect a person, that person has to contact soil immersed with human or pig faeces containing ascariasis eggs or polluted water. In some countries, human faeces is used as a fertiliser. Alternatively, poor sanitary systems let human waste get mixed with the soil in backyards, ditches or fields, or playgrounds. There are no direct causes of ascariasis by Ascariasis lumbricoides. People can also get infected by Ascariasis through consuming a pig that is not adequately cooked or eating a chicken liver that is polluted or infected.
For small or young children, the infection can get to them through playing in environmental dirt or if they put their dirty fingers in their mouth. Unwashed vegetables and fruits in polluted or contaminated soil can transmit ascariasis eggs. There are many ways to report Ascariasis lumbricoides.
Symptoms of Ascariasis
There are usually no signs or symptoms of ascariasis . The level of infestations in the human body can cause symptoms. Moderate to heavy infestations show signs or symptoms, and the symptoms depend on the infected body part.
Roundworms in the lungs can induce–
- Wheezing/shortness of breath
- Coughing/gagging
- Fever
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Chest discomfort
- Bloody mucus
Roundworms in intestines can cause –
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea/irregular stools
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Intestinal blockage
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Visible worms in faeces
People having large infestations might experience other symptoms, such as fatigue or fever. A significant infestation causes extreme discomfort. A person may have all or some of the symptoms mentioned above if they do not receive instant treatment through a doctor. These symptoms educate on how to report ascariasis by Ascariasis lumbricoides.
Diagnosis of Ascariasis lumbricoides
The diagnosis usually happens when the doctor examines and studies a stool sample for parasites and eggs. If the doctor predicts that a person is infected with ascariasis, they will ask them for a stool sample.
These tests are required if a person is diagnosed with ascariasis lumbricoides, such as :
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- Ultrasound
- MRI Scan
- Endoscopy, in which a small-sized camera is inserted into the body of a person
These tests are called imaging tests, which can show the number of worms that have grown into their adult form and where these groups of worms reside in a person’s body. The doctor needs to evaluate the time since the ascariasis has been infecting the body to determine the level of complications a person is facing or has to face. Causes of ascariasis are not direct or evident easily, but the correct diagnosis can help know precisely how these worms infect a person’s body.
Treatment of Ascariasis lumbricoides
Ascariasis infections that cause signs or symptoms need to be treated. In some situations, Ascariasis lumbricoides treat on their own.
Medicines
Anti-parasite drugs are firstly used to treat ascariasis. The common drugs are::
- Albendazole (Albenza)
- Mebendazole
- Ivermectin (Stromectol)
The following medicines can be taken in 1-3 days. The side effects of such drugs can be mild diarrhoea or abdominal pain.
Surgery
In situations of severe infestations, surgery might be essential to extract worms and repair the damage that they have caused. Intestinal blockages or holes, appendicitis, and blockage of the bile duct are various complications that require surgery.
A gastroenterologist specialises in this field. A person should consult a surgeon if the worms block their intestines. During the physical examination, a surgeon may apply pressure on particular areas of the belly to scan for tenderness or pain.
Conclusion
Ascariasis lumbricoides is a nematode that lives inside a person’s small intestine as a parasite. There are many causes of ascariasis . Ascariasis lumbricoides is a type of roundworm that is usually 30-40 cm long and mainly resides in a person’s small intestine until they die. There are no direct causes of ascariasis by Ascariasis lumbricoides as it cannot be transmitted from one person to another person directly. Ascariasis lumbricoides infects human beings through the faecal-oral route. It is mainly caused when contaminated, or polluted water is consumed by a person. The contaminated water might contain Ascariasis eggs that hatch in the small intestine and start to reside there.