One of the most common forms of stomach parasites in humans are stomach worms, commonly referred to as parasitic worms. Although several varieties can be found in the world, they are more frequently seen in subtropical and tropical areas.

The majority of stomach worm infections only result in little sickness and are manageable with medicine. Continue reading to find out more about stomach worms, including their symptoms, causes, and remedies.

Further, if you or someone you know is showing signs of infection, it is best to consult a specialist. In India, one may consider looking for the best gastroenterology hospital in Bangalore, Mumbai, or Delhi as these cities are well known for their treatment centers.

Symptoms

These are typical signs of stomach worms:

• Abdomen ache
• Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
• Bloating and gas
• Fatigue
• Unaccounted-for weight loss
• Abdominal ache or discomfort

Dysentery can also occur in someone who has stomach worms. When an stomach infection results in diarrhea with blood and mucus in the stool, it is known as dysentery. Additionally, a rash or itching near the vulva or rectum may be brought on by stomach worms. You could occasionally pass a worm along with your stool when you go to the bathroom.

Years may go by for some persons with stomach worms without any symptoms.

How to tell if you have the worms?

Worms that are present in your stomach eventually exit through your digestive tract and end up in your feces. Even if you are symptom-free, you could discover worms in your stool.

Worms in human feces can occur in a variety of ways. You could detect whole roundworms or huge, live ones in your stool if you have roundworms. You could observe pinworms as slender, white worms that resemble bits of thread. When female pinworms lay their eggs on the nearby skin at night, pinworms, which are about the length of a staple, can occasionally be seen around the anal area.

In order to confirm a diagnosis, a gastro science doctor might examine a sample of your feces in a lab for indications of worms or eggs.

Causes

Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, such as a cow, pig, or fish, is one method to get stomach worms. Additional factors that might result in an infection with stomach worms include:

• Drinking polluted water
• Taking in polluted dirt
• Contact with disease-causing feces
• Shoddy hygiene
• Bad hygiene

The parasite enters your intestines once you’ve swallowed the infected item. They then multiply and develop in the gut. Symptoms might emerge after they multiply and grow in size and number.

The types of stomach worms

The most typical kinds of stomach worms that can infect people are:

• Tapeworms and flukes are examples of flatworms.
• Ascariasis, pinworm, and hookworm illnesses are brought on by roundworms.

1. Tapeworms

By ingesting raw or undercooked pig or beef, humans can get tapeworms. The following species can infect people:

• Saginata Taenia (beef tapeworm)
• Solium Taenia (pork tapeworm)
• Asiatic taenia (Asian tapeworm)

Although the precise number is unknown, it is estimated that fewer than 1,000 people contract tapeworms annually. In humans, tapeworms as long as 25 meters (82 ft) have been discovered.

2. Flukes

The human gastrostomach system is home to more than 70 different kinds of flukes. They range in size from a few hundredths of an inch to many inches. Eating polluted food or drinking tainted water can make a person sick. East and Southeast Asia are the regions with the highest flukes.

3. Hookworms

Between 576 and 740 million people are thought to be afflicted with hookworms. They used to be widespread, especially in the Southeast, but as living standards have increased, they are now less prevalent. Most hookworm patients don’t exhibit any symptoms.

4. Pinworms

Pinworms are the most prevalent form of worm that infects humans, and it is believed that more than 1 billion individuals worldwide have them. Infections affect kids the most frequently. People that live near together might readily share them.

5. Ascariasis

More than 800 million individuals worldwide suffer from ascariasis, an infection caused by the Ascaris lumbricoides. Although uncommon in the west, it might happen in rural Southeast. Food or water contamination can cause an infection. Worms as adults can reach lengths of up to a foot. They typically don’t result in symptoms.

Risks

Due to their propensity for playing in areas with contaminated soil, such as sandboxes and schoolyards, children are especially vulnerable to stomach worms. Older folks’ compromised immune systems put them at higher danger as well.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that soil-transmitted worms are present in around 24% of the world’s population. The tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia, are where infections are most prevalent.

Due to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation, people who reside in and travel to developing countries are most at risk.

Prevention is better than cure

Wash your hands often with soap and hot water before and after using the restroom, before preparing or eating food, and to ward off stomach worms.

Additionally, you should practice food safety:

• Avoid eating raw meat and seafood.
• At least 145°F (62.8°C) for whole pieces of meat and 160°F (71°C) for ground meat and poultry are required for fully cooking meat.
• 3 minutes of resting time is required before cutting or eating cooked meat.
• Freeze fish or meat for at least 24 hours at -4°F (-20°C).
• For all raw fruits and vegetables, wash, peel, or boil them.
• If food spills on the floor, wash it up or reheat it.