Parasitic Worms in Humans

Doctors removing two long ascaris worms from liver 

What are parasitic worms?
Parasites are organisms that live in and feed off a living host. There are a variety of parasitic worms that can take up residence in humans. Among them are flatworms, flukes, and roundworms.

What worms commonly cause infection?

When it comes to parasitic infection, flatworms and roundworms are the likely culprits. These two types of parasitic worms can be found in a variety of habitats and aren’t always visible to the naked eye.

Tapeworm

You can get a tapeworm by drinking water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. Raw or undercooked meat is another way these flatworms can find their way into people.

Tapeworms embed their heads into the intestinal wall and remain there. From there, certain types of tapeworms can produce eggs that migrate to other parts of the body.

A tapeworm looks like a long, white ribbon. They can grow up to 50 feet long and live in a human for up to 30 years.

Flukes

Flukes are a type of flatworm. People are less likely than animals to become infected with flukes. Raw watercress and other fresh water plants are the main sources of flukes in humans. You can also get infected when you drink contaminated water.

They make their home in your intestines, blood, or tissues. There are many varieties of flukes, none reaching more than a few inches in length.

Hookworms

Hookworms are transmitted through feces and infected soil. The most common way to make contact with this type of roundworm is to walk barefoot on soil infested with hookworm larvae, which can pierce the skin.

Hookworms live in the small intestine, where they attach themselves to the intestinal wall with a “hook.” They’re usually less than half an inch long.

Pinworms (Threadworms)

Pinworms are tiny, fairly harmless worms, but they’re quite common in children. These roundworms live in the colon and rectum. The female lays eggs around the anus, usually during the night.

The eggs can survive on bedding, clothing, and other materials. People get infected when they touch the eggs and end up putting them in their mouths. The eggs are so small you can even breathe them in if they become airborne. They’re easily passed among children and caregivers or in institutions.

Trichinosis worms

Trichinosis roundworms are passed among animals. The most common way humans get trichinosis is by eating undercooked meat that contains the larvae. The larvae mature in your intestines. As they reproduce, those larvae can travel outside the intestines into muscle and tissue.

What are the symptoms of parasite infection?

It may be hard to believe, but you don’t always know when you have an uninvited guest inside you. You may not have any symptoms, or they may be quite mild.

It may take weeks or months to notice additional symptoms of fluke infection. These may include:

• fever
• fatigue

Additional symptoms of hookworms include:

• itchy rash
• anemia
• fatigue

As trichinosis worms travel through the bloodstream and enter other tissue or muscles, they can cause:

• fever
• swelling of the face
• muscle pain and tenderness
• headache
• light sensitivity
• conjunctivitis

Diagnosis

If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, especially if you’re returning from a trip to another country, you should consult your doctor. They will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Diagnostic tests will be necessary to identify the culprit:

• A fecal test involves checking a stool sample for parasites, larvae, or eggs.
• An endoscopy or colonoscopy can be useful when stool samples turn up no evidence of parasites. They may also help eliminate other causes for your symptoms.
• A blood test can be used to detect parasites in the blood.
• Imaging tests like MRI, CT scan, or X-rays can be used to detect parasites.
• A tape test involves placing clear tape around the anus. The tape can be examined under a microscope for the presence of pinworms or pinworm eggs. But even with the naked eye, you may be able to see evidence of pinworms around a child’s anus first thing in the morning.

How is parasitic infection treated?

The main treatment is prescription antiparasitic medication. This family of drugs can kill parasites and help pass them through your system. In most cases, you’ll have to take the medication for several weeks. You shouldn’t stop taking it, even if you feel better.

In very severe cases in which parasites have invaded other parts of the body, additional treatments like surgery may be necessary.

Ask your doctor if you should follow a special diet or take nutritional supplements during this time. And follow up with your doctor as advised.

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Don’t Let People Kiss Your Baby

A US couple has said their 18-day-old baby has died, almost two weeks after having contracted the herpes infection through a kiss.

Nicole and Shane Sifrit took to Facebook to reveal that their daughter, Mariana, died in her father’s arms.

“Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41am this morning in her daddy’s arms and her mommy right beside her,” the post read, “She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord. Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this.

In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana’s Story we save numerous newborns life. R.I.P. sweet angel.”

Nicole and Shane Sifrit had just exchanged vows with their six-day-old daughter in attendance when two hours later the newlyweds discovered she had stopped eating and was slow to wake up. They rushed her to hospital.

“It immediately went downhill from there. Within two hours she had quit breathing and all of her organs just started to fail,” Mr Sifrit told WHO-TV. WQAD reports that Mariana had become infected with meningitis HSV-1, which is caused by the herpes virus.

Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on your genitals and/or mouth. Herpes is a super-common infection that stays in your body for life. More than half of Americans have oral herpes, and about 1 out of 6 Americans has genital herpes. So chances are a few people you know have with herpes.

Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs, lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.

Herpes is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores that come and go. Many people with herpes don’t notice the sores or mistake them for something else, so they might not know they’re infected. You can spread herpes even when you don’t have any sores or symptoms.

However, both her parents tested negative for the virus, meaning she got it from someone else. The Sifrit family are now hoping to raise awareness of how dangerous herpes can be for infants.

“Keep your babies isolated, don’t let just anyone come visit them, and make sure they are constantly washing their hands,” the Sifrits said. “Don’t let people kiss your baby, and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby.”

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10 FOODS TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT YOUR EYE SIGHT

 We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale that eating carrots can help us see in the dark but nutrition research has proved that vitamins in the ­vegetable really do improve night vision.

But eating your way to better eyesight isn’t only about munching more root veg. A raft of recent research has found several other key vitamins and minerals are just as essential.

Francesca Marchetti, a leading optometrist from the eye care advisory panel WINK, says: “Nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E, omega-3 fats and lutein are vital for better vision.

“Eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are all affected by our diet.

“A little more fish, nuts, fruit and vegetables in your meals could dramatically reduce your eye disease risk in the future.”

Yet as nutritionist Dr Emma ­Derbyshire points out: “Research shows our intakes of oily fish, the main source of omega-3 fats, fall short of recommended guidelines while leafy green vegetables are under-consumed, meaning nutrients such as lutein are lacking from diets.

“We all need to be finding ways to include more of these foods in our diets or think about taking a ­supplement to improve levels.”

These super foods will help keep your peepers healthy:

Carrot
Why? It is a vegetable that is rich in vitamin A and Carotene which improves eyes sight to make the eyes see clearly. Eating more of carrots may not necessarily improve the current condition of the eyes, but it performs major functions in protecting it from further damage.

How much? Aim for one carrot a day or a helping of sweet potato, pumpkin or butternut squash. Try cooking them with a little olive oil, as studies have found this helps break down the vegetables’ thick cell walls and makes it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients.

Spinach
Why? This – along with other leafy greens such as broccoli and kale – is packed with zeaxanthin and lutein, which lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.
Lutein protects the eye by forming pigments in the macula that filter out harmful blue light waves, which can damage the eye. The more pigments your eye contains, the less likely it is to fall prey to age-related macular degeneration.
The US National Eye Institute, in Maryland, found boosting levels of both pigments protected against age-related blindness.
How much? Eat a 100g serving every other day. Have it raw in salads or steamed with hot meals.

Oranges
Why? These are full of vitamin C. One study found women who took a vitamin C supplement for 10 years or more experienced a 64% cut in the risk of developing cataracts.

How much? One a day, with plenty of other C-rich fruit and veg such as tomatoes and red peppers.

Dark berries
Why? They are linked to better night vision. Bilberries were eaten by Second World War pilots to sharpen their sight for night missions. Lab studies have since found dark berries such as ­bilberries and blackberries are rich in anthocyanins, which prevent and slow blindness caused by macular degeneration and cataracts. The berries also help strengthen the capillaries that deliver blood and nutrients to the eye.

How much? Sprinkle a handful on your breakfast cereal daily or add to a fruit smoothie in the mornings.

Oily fish
Why? Fresh Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, Anchovies, Herrings, Mackerel and trout are extremely rich in ­docosahexaenoic acid – a fatty acid found in your retina. Low levels of the acid have been linked to dry-eye ­conditions. A study by the US National Eye Institute found that omega-3 fatty acids helped to protect adults from both age-related macular degeneration and dry-eye syndrome. This is probably because Omega-3 helps to reduce the inflammation that can lead to dry eyes.

How much? Two servings a week are recommended to maintain healthy eyesight.

Beef
Why? Red meat is rich in important eye health booster zinc. This mineral helps release vitamin A from the liver so that it can be used in eye tissues.
A zinc deficiency can cause macula ­deterioration of the centre of the retina, which can lead to sight loss.
How much? A portion of lean meat twice a week

Almonds
Why? These nuts are filled with vitamin E, which research shows may protect the eyes from free radical damage. This means it helps protect cells in the body from ­oxidiation, which may slow the ­progression of cataracts caused by UV exposure and decrease age-related macular degeneration.

How much? Sprinkle a handful of chopped almonds on your cereal or eat whole ones as a snack.

Eggs
Why? Egg yolk is very good source of lutein, Zinc, vitamin E and Zeaxanthin which helps in reducing macular degeneration risk, thereby protecting your eyes from ageing or losing its function. Consumption of eggs is generally good for the body system, now we know it is good for the eyesight as well. There are also some spices you can add to your food while cooking that can improve and protect your eye sight such as onion and garlic.

How much? At least once or twice a Day