Parasite Cleanse Monthly

January, 2008

Featuring in-depth and up-to-date information on parasites and treatment options, Parasite Cleanse Monthly connects you with the resources you need to protect yourself and those you love.

Get the inside scoop on parasites …before they get inside of you!

Parasite Worms

Parasite worms cause a significant amount of distress and even mortality throughout the world. They are especially prevalent in less developed nations where there are lowered standards of food preparation and personal hygiene. But parasite worms are not limited to these nations. There are a number of parasite worms that are common in the United States, such as pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Here is what you need to know about each of these harmful invaders and how you can keep them out of your system.

Pinworms

Enterobius vermicularis is the Latin name for pinworms, the most common parasite worm in the United States. Humans are the only known host of the pinworm, and it affects roughly 209 million people throughout the world. Humans can become infected with pinworms by ingesting contaminated food, water, or dust.

Adult pinworms are small, reaching a length of two to ten millimeters. They live mainly in the large intestine. But when female pinworms reach maturity, they will travel to the area just outside the anus to lay their eggs. Up to fifteen thousand eggs may be laid in location! These eggs can then be easily spread to other hosts via contact with contaminated sheets, clothing, furniture, toilet seats, or hands.

Anal itching is the number one complaint associated with pinworm parasite worms, followed by insomnia and sleep disturbances. In more serious cases of pinworm infection, symptoms such as weight loss, urinary tract infection, and appendicitis may be noted.

Roundworm

The roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, are the largest intestinal parasite worms in the world. It affects roughly one billion people throughout the world, the majority of which are children. Roundworms are large parasites, resembling earthworms in their general appearance. They can infect their human host via direct contact with contaminated soil, food, or feces.

These parasite worms can travel throughout the body, causing destruction at several points along their journey. They may be responsible for severe tissue irritation and allergic reactions in the liver and the lungs. Adult roundworms may make their home in the liver, the lungs, or the heart. Symptoms of a roundworm infection include cramping, swelling, insomnia, allergic reactions, and weight loss. If left untreated, roundworms can multiply to such great numbers that they cause a blockage within the digestive system.

Hookworm

Anclyostoma duodenal and Necator americanus are the two species of parasite worms that are found exclusively in humans. Anclyostoma duodenale, is found primarily in Europe, Africa, China, Japan, India, and the Pacific islands. Necator americanus, on the other hand, is found in North and South America and the Caribbean.

Hookworms can penetrate the human skin. The main pathway of infection is through the soles of the feet. Individuals who walk barefoot in areas that are contaminated with hookworm larvae are likely to become infected by the parasite. The larvae then travel through the body until they reach their final destination, the small intestines. These parasite worms range in length from six to twelve millimeters.

The greatest concern regarding hookworm infection is the loss of blood that occurs when this parasite attaches its teeth like hooks into the lining of the intestines. Symptoms of hookworm infection include itchy skin and blisters and the point of entry, followed by nausea, dizziness, weight loss, appetite changes, and anemia.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are very large intestinal parasite worms that can wreak havoc within the digestive system. There are several types of tapeworms, such as the beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata), the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), the dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninium), and the fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum). Tapeworms are whitish in color with a flat head and a long, ribbon-like body. They can grow to several feet in length and live within their human host for up to twenty five years. In most cases, a tapeworm infection will elicit few noticeable symptoms. However, symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are possible.

Keeping Parasite Worms Out!

Humans can contract parasite worms via a number of pathways: the foods we eat, the water we drink or bathe in, the animals we contact, or even the air we breathe. But this does not mean that we are destined to become infected with parasites. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of a parasite worm infection.

Wash hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating and after using the toilet or handling animals.
Only drink filtered or treated water. If you are unsure of the source of your water, opt for bottled instead.
Wear shoes, especially on beaches and in playgrounds that may house animal feces.
Do not swim in water that may be contaminated with parasites.
Do not eat raw or undercooked meat.
Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before eating them, especially if they are to be eaten raw.