Definition
Various worms use the human intestine as their habitat. If the worm was taken up by humans as an egg or larva, it develops into an adult worm and multiplies, mainly in the intestine, but also in other human organs, depending on the species. The worm infestation is not always noticed by the affected person. The possible symptoms can be very diverse, depending on the type of worm. It can lead to increased itching in the area of the anus or unintentional weight loss, as well as flu-like symptoms.
How does it come to the recording?
Most worms are ingested in a preliminary stage as eggs or larvae through food and only develop into adult worms in the body. Contaminated and insufficiently cooked meat, but also unwashed forest berries or vegetables fertilized with excrement can be contaminated with the worm eggs or larvae. The ingested preliminary stages of the worms reach the intestine and remain there.
In the course of the process, the female worms lay eggs, which in turn are excreted with the human stool and can thus lead to further infections in case of anus–finger–mouth contact. The eggs laid by the female worm at the anus cause itching. By scratching the itchy area with the hand, the hand is covered with the eggs and can spread them further. Therefore, if the worm infestation is known, it is especially important to maintain good hygiene and wash your hands regularly. Worms can also be transmitted through the excrements of pets, so regular deworming of the animals should be aimed for.
First signs
Often worms remain unnoticed in the intestine for years. Nevertheless, depending on the infestation and also depending on the immune status of the affected person, noticeable signs can occur. For example, the laying of eggs in the anus area leads to severe itching, especially at night.
An unwanted weight loss can also be a sign of a worm infestation. Other symptoms can be very unspecific and resemble those of influenza. Abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea are possible.
In some cases, however, the symptoms are also very specific to one type of worm. For example, the fish tapeworm leads to a deficiency of vitamin B-12. If a worm also infests the brain, it can lead to an inflammation of the brain, which can manifest itself as fever, sensitivity to light, headache and clouding of consciousness.
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