What are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites include worms and single-celled organisms that live in your intestines. A parasite is an organism that lives off another organism (host). Parasites use the host’s body for nourishment and shelter. They rely on the host as a vehicle to spread to the next potential host(s), where they can continue multiplying and spreading.
In return, intestinal parasites provide zero benefits. Instead, they can cause unpleasant symptoms and (in some cases) pose serious health risks.
What are the types of intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites include helminths (parasitic intestinal worms) and one-celled organisms called protozoa.
Helminths (parasitic intestinal worms)
Helminths include various roundworms (with round bodies) and flatworms (with flat bodies). Although they thrive and grow in your body, most helminths can’t reproduce there. Instead, they lay eggs that exit your body in your feces (poop). The species survive because other people (unknowingly) come into contact with the eggs and become new hosts.
Intestinal worms include:
- Pinworms (enterobiasis): These thread-like worms spread when you touch a surface contaminated with pinworm eggs and put your hands to your mouth. The eggs hatch in your small intestine. At night, female adults lay eggs around your anus (butthole). The process can cause anal itching. Scratching the area and touching a surface without washing your hands transmits the eggs.
- Ascaris (ascariasis): Through a microscope, these worms look like tiny earthworms. They spread if you ingest the eggs after coming into contact with contaminated soil. “Contaminated” means the soil contains poop with worm eggs in it. This can happen in places where people poop outside because of limited or no access to toilets. Ascaris also spreads in places where people use human feces as fertilizer to grow produce.
- Whipworms (trichuriasis): Whipworms get their name from their whip-like shape. As with Ascaris, whipworms spread when a host ingests eggs from contaminated soil.
- Hookworms (ancylostomiasis): Hookworms have hook-like heads they use to attach to your intestine walls and feed. Like Ascaris and whipworms, hookworms spread through contaminated soil. What’s different is that the eggs in the soil mature into larvae. If you walk on the soil barefoot, the hookworms can enter your body through your skin.
- Strongyloides (strongyloidiasis): These worms also spread through contact with contaminated soil. You can ingest them by mouth, or they can enter your body if you’re walking around barefoot. Unlike other helminths, Strongyloides can reproduce inside a host.
- Tapeworms (taeniasis): These segmented worms have bodies resembling ribbons. They live in the digestive tracts of human and animal (pigs, cows and fish) hosts. They spread when you ingest their eggs or larvae in undercooked pork, beef or fish. Or, you can get a tapeworm infection if you touch a surface contaminated with eggs and then touch your mouth.
- Trichinella (trichinosis): Transmission of Trichinella is similar to that of tapeworms. This type of roundworm spreads to humans who eat the raw or undercooked meat of an infected animal (usually pigs).
- Flukes: You can get a fluke infection from drinking contaminated water or eating infected aquatic plants or fish. The types that live in your intestines include Fasciolopsis buski, which causes an infection called fasciolopsiasis. Another type is Heterophyes, which causes heterophysiasis.
Protozoa
Like helminths, protozoa spread when you ingest trace amounts of poop that contain the eggs. They commonly spread through contaminated water or fruits and vegetables. But protozoa can also reproduce inside a human host.
Common types include:
What is the most common intestinal parasite?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 25% of the world’s population has an infection related to an intestinal parasite. In tropical and subtropical areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, that number is as high as 50%. The most common intestinal parasite infection globally is ascariasis. It affects about 1 billion people worldwide.
In the U.S., the most common infections are from protozoa, especially the giardia parasite. Pinworms are the most common intestinal worm in the U.S.
FAQs
Intestinal parasite symptoms depend on the type of parasite. For example, pinworm infection usually causes very mild symptoms, primarily anal itching. However, protozoa infection can cause severe symptoms, including watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Intestinal parasite treatment may or may not be necessary.
What is the best treatment for intestinal worms? ›
Common parasitic drugs include: Pyrantel pamoate for pinworms. Mebendazole or albendazole for soil-transmitted intestinal worms. Metronidazole, tinidazole or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for protozoa infections.
How do I know if I have a parasite in my intestines? ›
Gas or bloating. Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva. Stomach pain or tenderness.
Can intestinal parasites go away on their own? ›
Some parasites go away on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system and maintain a balanced diet. However, talk to a healthcare provider if you have signs of a parasitic infection. They can make an official diagnosis and help prevent the spread of the parasite to others.
How do I check myself for parasites? ›
Taking a parasite test.
Various kits are now available that allow you to take a stool sample and send it to a lab for analysis and your healthcare provider can order this test for you.
What medicine kills all intestinal worms? ›
About mebendazole Brand names: Ovex, Vermox
It works by stopping worms from using sugar (glucose) to live. This kills the worms. You can buy mebendazole from a pharmacy for adults and children aged 2 years and over. It's also available on prescription for children aged 6 months and over.
How do you get rid of worms ASAP? ›
For most people, treatment will involve taking a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. If necessary, another dose can be taken after 2 weeks. During treatment and for a few weeks afterwards, it's also important to follow strict hygiene measures to avoid spreading the threadworm eggs.
What naturally kills intestinal worms in humans? ›
Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
Does your poop look different if you have a parasite? ›
Additionally, some intestinal parasites are large enough to be seen with the naked eye and may appear as white thread-like creatures in stools. While some parasites don't cause noticeable symptoms, some grow, reproduce or invade healthy functioning systems, making their hosts sick, resulting in parasitic infection.
How do I deworm myself? ›
The most widely used deworming medication is called albendazole, and it is a secure method of treating intestinal worms that are used all over the world. Children aged between one and two years should take half a tablet (200 mg), and those aged between 2 and 19 years should take one tablet (400 mg).
6 Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Worms
- Pumpkin Seeds. Pumpkin seeds are an extremely effective deworming agent because they contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. ...
- Carrots. ...
- Coconut. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Turmeric. ...
- Chamomile.
Symptoms of giardiasis may include: Explosive, watery, foul-smelling stools. Greasy stools that tend to float.
Should I go to urgent care if I think I have parasites? ›
The benefits of seeking treatment for a parasite infection include a proper diagnosis and the right course of action, which can reduce symptoms and avoid consequences. To receive the right care and prevent further health problems, visit us at Columbia Urgent Care.
How do you know if your body is full of parasites? ›
Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or nausea can be a sign of parasitic infection. By nature, intestinal parasites take root in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They cause your immune system to react, and you will get different symptoms based on the organism.
Does blood work show parasites? ›
Some, but not all, parasitic infections can be detected by testing your blood. Blood tests look for a specific parasite infection; there is no blood test that will look for all parasitic infections.
What are 10 diseases caused by parasites? ›
Insects
- Disease* Parasite. Insect (vector)
- African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Tsetse flies.
- Babesiosis. Babesia microti and other species. ...
- Chagas disease. Trypanosoma cruzi. ...
- Leishmaniasis. Leishmania species. ...
- Malaria. Plasmodium species.
3. Carrot: Carrots are rich in fibre and may help in eliminating intestinal worms. Raw carrots can be consumed on an empty stomach in the morning to get the best results. Eating carrots regularly in the morning not only helps in removing these worms but also prevents future infestations.
How long does it take for intestinal worms to go away? ›
Medications for intestinal worms are usually taken for 1 to 3 days. Symptoms typically begin to improve within a few weeks. Your doctor will most likely take and analyze another stool sample after treatment is complete to see if the worms have disappeared.
