A roundworm called Ascaris lumbricoides can cause ascariasis.The worms can grow to 12 inches or more in length and drain the body of vitamins and minerals.In the United States, ascariasis is rare in children who live in tropical and subtropical regions and where there are poor Sanitation Practices.It's difficult to detect ascariasis because most people show mild or no obvious symptoms, but recognizing the signs and getting appropriate treatment can help prevent a variety of health problems.
Step 1: Take notice of respiratory symptoms.
Most people with Ascaris lumbricoides worms don't have any noticeable symptoms, but those with weaker immune systems do.The first signs of ascariasis can be similar to mild-to-moderate cases of asthma or pneumonia.You can see blood and cough up mucus.The lung symptoms are related to the worm's life cycle.After ingestion of fertilized Ascaris eggs, they hatch in the small intestine and get absorbed into the blood and travel to the lungs, causing irritation and a type of allergic response.After a week in the lungs, the larvae are put down the throat and swallowed up into the stomach.
Step 2: Know about abdominal pain and nausea.
The Ascaris can leave the lungs and end up in the small intestine, where they can live for many months or a few years.One of the first signs of worms in the intestine is vague abdominal pain and mild nausea.The worms can cause abdominal pain by blocking the bile duct.The abdominal pain can be mistaken for indigestion, but it's not relieved by taking antacids or passing gas.Mild cases of nausea do not usually lead to vomiting.Poor sanitary conditions and weakened immune systems can lead to infections in children.
Step 3: You should watch for bloody stools.
If the body's immune system can't fight the worm, more of them will grow and cause more uncomfortable symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.Blood can be seen in the toilet as the disease becomes chronic.If the blood is dark and resembles coffee grounds, it's a sign of bleeding from the small intestine.Bleeding from the rectum from too much wiping or a burst blood vessel is what it means if the blood is bright cherry red.The Ascaris worm can be seen in the toilet, in addition to blood.
Step 4: You should look for chronic vomiting and weight loss.
In moderate-to-severe cases of Ascariasis, the worms can cause severe abdominal pain and nausea, as well as triggering bouts of vomiting.Rapid weight loss can be seen once the vomiting becomes regular and chronic.Food is often not eaten due to loss of appetite and painful digestion.Weight loss can be seen around the face, upper body and buttocks/thighs.The abdomen can be protruded due to the mass of worms.People with severe Ascaris infections can often see worms in their vomit.
Step 5: There are signs of malnutrition.
As the symptoms of ascariasis progress, particularly in children, signs of malnutrition become more obvious and include: severe weight loss, stunted growth, weakness, fatigue, skin rash, visual problems and intellectual/developmental disability.A lack of vitamins A and C can cause weakness and muscle wasting.Lack of vitamins leads to problems with vision and skin.Lack of vitamins C and D can lead to skin issues, internal bleeding, hair and teeth loss, as well as fatigue and listlessness.
Step 6: Don't confuse it with other infections.
There are many types of infections and diseases that can be mimicked by ascariasis.It can be similar to asthma and upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold and pneumonia, when the Ascaris larvae cause symptoms in the lungs.Adult worms can mimic other infections when they affect the gastrointestinal system.There's also some overlap with other diseases.It's only when actual worms are found in vomit that Ascariasis is more obvious to doctors and patients.
Step 7: It's a good idea to avoid contact with contaminated soil.
There is human and animal feces in the soil.fecal matter is used to fertilize crops in many places in the world, so be cautious when traveling in rural areas.Children who live in these areas can become sick after putting their hands into their mouths.Infections can be caused by eating fruit and veggies that have been grown in contaminated soil or wastewater.Even though you bought it from a different place, always wash produce at home.Before you eat raw veggies, make sure you cook them.It is possible to kill parasites, as well as some viruses andbacteria, by soaking fresh produce in water.
Step 8: Good hygiene can be practiced.
In addition to washing your produce, washing yourself and practicing good hygiene is another method to help prevent Ascaris worm infections.Before and after handling food, wash your hands.The worms can be spread in soil, water, or unwashed hands.If you're traveling to Asia and Africa, you should wash your hands with warm water and soap.When traveling, carry a small bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently to clean your hands.If you don't have soap or sanitizer, you can use fresh lemon, lime or grapefruit juice on your hands to clean them.
Step 9: Traveling to developing countries is not advisable.
If you want to reduce your risk of Ascariasis, you should avoid countries like rural China, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, India, Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of the Middle East.Take sanitary precautions if you need to travel to these areas for work or family reasons.Don't eat raw veggies, wash your hands frequently, and use only bottled water.In the U.S., ascariasis is most common in the southeastern states, but not as common as it is in developing countries with warm temperatures year-round.
Step 10: Wait and see what happens.
In the majority of cases, only Ascaris infections that cause symptoms need to be treated.The symptoms of ascariasis can flare up for a short period of time, then become unnoticeable over time.In some cases, ascariasis can be defeated by a stronger immune system.In parts of the world where ascariasis is endemic, the lack of clean water and food is more of a concern than the infections.Adults deal with ascariasis better than kids.If a child is failing to thrive and lose weight, it is time for a doctor's visit.A doctor will look at a stool sample to make a diagnosis.
Step 11: Take anti-parasitic medication.
Anti-parasitic drugs are the first line of treatment for ascariasis and other parasites.Albenza, ivermectin, and mebendazole are the most commonly prescribed medications to kill Ascaris worms.Between one to three days with pills, ascaris are usually treated for infections.pyrantel pamoate is the drug of choice for pregnant women.Drugs that kill adult worms don't cause any side effects.People who carry insects that aren't killed by drugs need a follow-up treatment within six months.
Step 12: Consider surgery a last resort.
In cases of severe Ascaris infections, surgery may be necessary to remove the mass of worms and repair the damage they've caused.Appendicitis flare up related to the infection is one of the primary reasons for surgery.The extent of your problem will be determined by x-rays (abdomen and chest) and other tests, before your doctor recommends surgery.A small tube with a cutting device and a camera on the end is inserted through the anus or down the throat to reach the worms in the small intestine.