A comprehensive overview of roundworm covering subjects like cure, treatment, symptoms, diagnostics, research, causes and pictures
Human roundworm is a common parasite met in the child, regardless of age. The incriminated parasite in producing the disease is known by people as the roundworm. The host is the human gut or of other animal.
The causative agent of the disease is a parasite called Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm). This is a nematode, a round worm, with a sleek body, white-pink, with a length of 15-35 cm, with extremities heads; the female is always larger than the male.
The biological cycle of the human roundworm help in understanding the present symptoms in case of infestation.
Human roundworm transmission and reproduction
The adult lives in the small intestine of the host, where females deposit about 240,000 eggs daily. The eggs are non-embryonic being removed simultaneously with the feces; there is no self-infestation. The egg becomes infected during formation of the embryo, in the external environment, within a period of 30-40 days. Children contamination will occur by digestion. Embryonated human roundworm eggs at ground level will be ingested along with unwashed foods (fruits, vegetables).
Once reached in the digestive tract larvae will be released in the small intestine. They cross the intestinal mucosa and reach the liver through the port. After an interval of 3-4 days they will migrate through veins and inferior vena cava, reaching the right heart. From here they go to the lungs and leave to penetrate lung capillaries and alveoli bronchiole. After they cross the respiratory tree they reach the epiglottis and return in the digestive tract. They set in the small intestine, turning into adult form.
Human roundworm symptoms
Generally, human roundworm is manifested by abdominal discomfort, weight loss and vitamin deficiency. As the number of worms is bigger, the more the symptoms are more severe. These worms usually do not cause anemia associated with infestations parasitological as worms get their nutrients from partially digested food.
A less serious infection is manifested by the presence of the worm in the stool, cough with expectoration of worms, loss of appetite, fever and shortness of breath. More severe case is manifested by vomiting, inability to breathe, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, acute blockage of the bowel and biliary tract (liver and gallbladder).
What to do if you have human roundworms
The doctor prescribed anti-parasite treatment to remove the worms. After three weeks it will be checked if there are parasites in the body. Symptoms disappear in about a week after starting treatment. In cases of obstruction or abdominal infection, surgery is needed to remove worms.
To prevent re-infection should keep maximum hygienic conditions, to disinfect your pets, to keep the baby nails short and clean and to sterilize contaminated clothes and bedding.
The most important prevention measures are keeping strict hygienic conditions, namely removal of human waste safely. Teach children to wash their hands, especially before eating and after the toilet and don't let them to insert objects into the mouth.
The clinical manifestations may not positive the diagnosis from human roundworms.
In the larval stage of the parasite is evidenced by laboratory tests hypereosinophilia (15-30%) and coprological examination shows no efficiency. In the adult stage of the parasite the eosinophilia is mild (5-10%) or absent. Coproparasitologic examination will highlight the parasite eggs, in case the infestation was done with female.
The best prevention strategies include the use of proper hygiene and sanitary products and avoiding unwashed or uncooked fruit and vegetables.