DISEASE

Roundworms

OVERVIEW | CAUSES | RISK FACTORS | SYMPTOMS | COMPLICATION | DIAGNOSIS | TREATMENT | PREVENTION | REFERENCES

roundworms

OVERVIEW

Roundworms (also called nematodes) are worms with a long round body. They vary in length from several millimetres to up to two metres. Roundworms are common in warm tropical countries. Children are more often affected than adults. Treatment is usually very effective but wiping out (eradication of) roundworm infections has proved to be very difficult.

CAUSES

The life cycle of roundworms varies between types (species).

Soil and water supplies may become contaminated with roundworm eggs in areas of poor sanitation. Many roundworms have a complicated life cycle that includes both main hosts (large mammals such as humans or pigs) and intermediate hosts (small animals such as snails). Therefore, some roundworm infections occur as a result of eating uncooked contaminated food.

The eggs may survive for years in moist soil. In the soil the eggs develop into tiny young worms (larvae). Larvae can get into the human gut if you eat them with contaminated food. They pass into the bloodstream and are carried to other parts of the body - such as the lungs.

Larvae develop further and then often travel back to the gut, where the larvae then grow into adult worms. If you have worms in your gut, the female worm lays many tiny eggs. You pass these out with the stools (faeces).

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can get roundworms. Poverty-stricken individuals living in underdeveloped areas of the world are most susceptible to roundworms. School-aged children and people who are institutionalized are also susceptible. Poor-hygiene practices are a big contributing factor to contracting roundworms. Roundworms grow best in warm to hot climates, so people in these climates need to be extra aware of the symptoms of roundworms.

SYMPTOMS

Individuals infected with roundworm parasites may show:

Abdominal pain,
Diarrhea,
Cough,
Blood-tinged sputum,
Shortness of breath,
Asthma,
Fever (from migrating parasites that invade the lungs),
Muscle pains,
Abscesses,
Lymphedema and
Even "worms" visible in the patient's eye.

COMPLICATIONS

Most cases of roundworms are mild and don’t cause major problems. However, heavy infestations can spread to other parts of the body and lead to dangerous complications, including:

Intestinal blockage. Intestinal blockage occurs when a mass of worms blocks your intestines, causing severe pain and vomiting. Intestinal blockage is considered a medical emergency and requires treatment right away.
Duct blockage. Duct blockage occurs when the worms block the small passageways to your liver or pancreas.
Nutritional deficiency. Infections that lead to loss of appetite and poor absorption of nutrients put children at risk of not getting enough nutrients, which can affect their growth.

Children are more likely to have gastrointestinal complications because the smaller size of their intestines increases their chances of having an intestinal blockage.

DIAGNOSIS

Healthcare providers diagnose roundworms by taking a thorough clinical history, looking at the symptoms, and then taking special blood tests and/ or looking at the swabbed eggs under a microscope.

TREATMENT

The most common treatment for roundworms is a medication called albendazole. Your doctor may also prescribe an iron supplement, or a soothing cream to stop the itching pain. Sometimes, depending on the roundworm, the treatments need to be repeated after several weeks to make sure the roundworms eggs are completely eradicated.

PREVENTION

There are a number of ways you can prevent infection with roundworms:

Periodically get your cat or dog dewormed.
Wash your hands well with soap and hot water after playing with pets or doing outdoor activities.
Don’t let children play outside near an animal’s stool.
Clean up after your pets.
Teach your children not to eat dirt or soil.