Types of worms that cause intestinal worms in adults

Worms in adults can occur unnoticed. The emergence of this condition can be characterized by several symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss. Not many people know about the types of worms that cause intestinal worms in adults. Different types of worms, different ways of transmission. Therefore, it does not hurt you to recognize the types of worms that cause worms, because it can help you avoid worms.

Types of worms and how they are transmitted

There are several types of worms that can cause intestinal worms in adults. Actually, the worm is not specifically infecting adults, but also children, and even animals. The types of worms include:

• Pinworms

This worm is a type of roundworm. The shape is very small, harmless, but very common to infect adults, especially children. Pinworms live in the large intestine and rectum. The method of transmission to humans is when humans touch the eggs and then swallowed. I was so small, pinworm eggs are easy to fly and inhaled by humans.

• Tapeworm

So far, many people know that tapeworms are only transmitted through consumption of undercooked meat. However, tapeworms can also enter the human body through drinking water that has been contaminated with egg or tapeworm larvae. This tapeworm is quite scary because it can grow in the human body up to 15 cm in size and live for 30 years.

• Roundworm

Roundworms are one of the causes of intestinal worms in adults, which are transmitted through food that has been contaminated with worm eggs, then eaten by humans. These worms can multiply in large quantities in the human body.

• Flatworm

These worms live in the blood, intestines, or tissues of the human body. Actually flatworms infect more animals than humans. However, if you often eat raw vegetables, especially watercress, you are at risk of being infected with this worm. Flatworm eggs can also enter the human body through drinking water contaminated with worm eggs.

• Hookworm

Hookworm eggs can enter the human body through the pores of the skin. Therefore, if you walk barefoot on the ground or media that are hookworm larvae habitat, the chance of the worm to enter your body by penetrating the skin is very large.

• Tricinosis worms

This type of worm is found in cooked meat that has been infested with worm larvae. After entering the body, larvae settle in the human intestine and grow into adulthood. After that the larvae will multiply and move from the intestine to muscles or other body tissues.

Recognize Various Symptoms of Worms

Symptoms of intestinal worms in adults is broader than in children. Symptoms of intestinal worms in children are generally in the form of itching in the anus or vagina, especially at night, often waking up at night, and weight loss. While signs of intestinal worms in adults include:

• Fatigue
• Stomach ache
• Bloated
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss without planning or without cause

In addition to some of the general symptoms above, symptoms of intestinal worms can also be distinguished based on the type of worm. For example:

• If you are infected with tapeworms, you may find lumps in your body, allergic reactions, fever, bacterial infections, and seizures.
• If infected with flatworms, symptoms include fever and fatigue.
• If infected with hookworm, symptoms include hives, anemia, and fatigue.
• If infected with tricinosis worms, symptoms include fever, headache, swelling of the face, muscle aches, sensitivity to light, and conjunctivitis.

How to Prevent Worms in Adults

To avoid yourself from intestinal worms, there are several prevention efforts you can do, including:

• Avoid eating watercress or vegetables from fresh water in a raw state.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, both beef and poultry.
• Separate the meat storage area with other food ingredients.
• Wash off the cutting board and other cooking utensils after using it to cut raw meat.
• Make sure you know the process of preparing food purchased from outside.
• Avoid walking on dirt contaminated with dirt, bare feet.
• Clean animal waste, especially if you have pets.
• Make it a habit to wash your hands before eating, before preparing food, after using the toilet, after touching animal feces, and after giving care to the sick.
• Try to only consume bottled water when you travel abroad.

In addition to the several ways above, prevention and treatment of intestinal worms can also be done by taking worm medicine. In essence, there are many ways you can do to prevent adult worms. The main key is to always maintain cleanliness, both food, shelter, and the environment where you are. If you experience the symptoms above, do not hesitate to consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.