Ascariasis occurs due to parasitic infection resulting from Ascaris lumbricoides, which is a type of roundworm. It is the most common infection in humans worldwide and mainly occurs in areas having inadequate sanitation. When contaminated food or drink is consumed, the worms enter the body, and their larvae hatch and develop in the intestines. Ascariasis frequently does not result in symptoms, but in severe cases, it can cause complications like malnutrition or intestinal blockage.
It is crucial to understand the causes and symptoms of this condition for prompt detection and intervention. Symptoms range from mild to serious based on the worm’s quantity and location in the body. Mostly, people are not aware of the presence of the infection until the worm’s existence is identified during regular physical check-ups or testing of other conditions.
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Prevalence in Pakistan
- Urban Areas: A study conducted in Lahore from November 2010 to October 2012 reported an overall prevalence of 0.88% among urban children.
- Rural Areas: In District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a study found a prevalence rate of 49%, indicating a higher burden in rural settings.
Symptoms
In mild cases, ascariasis frequently develops no symptoms. However, with the progression of the disease, several symptoms may appear, impacting the intestine, lungs, and overall health.
- Abdominal Pain: Caused by roundworms growing and moving in the intestine, leading to bloating and discomfort.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Parasites in the intestine may cause nausea, and severe infections can trigger vomiting as the body tries to expel the worms.
- Diarrhea: Watery or loose stools may result from intestinal inflammation caused by worms. You can manage it by using lemon water.
- Wheezing or Coughing: Respiratory symptoms such as coughing or wheezing occur as larvae move through the lungs.
- Loss of Appetite: A high worm burden can decrease appetite, resulting in unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
- Fatigue: Chronic infections can lead to fatigue as the body expends energy fighting the infestation.
- Malnutrition: Worms consume nutrients from the host, causing malnutrition, particularly in children, affecting growth and development.
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When to See a Doctor
People should consult a healthcare provider if they observe an infection with roundworms, especially if they live in areas of poor sanitation. Early detection can reduce more serious symptoms and complications. You must see your doctor when you cough, have chronic pain in your abdomen, or have significant worms in your stool.
FitwellHub offers access to experienced doctors who are available 24/7 and help patients with diagnosis and effective treatment of parasitic infections, including ascariasis.
Causes
The main cause of ascariasis is the ingestion of Ascaris eggs embedded in contaminated food, water, or soil. The eggs are hatched into larvae inside the human body, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, and then suddenly move to the intestines, where they grow into adult worms. Here are the major causes:
- Ingestion of contaminated food: Eating raw or undercooked vegetables grown on contaminated soil can lead to the ingestion of Ascaris eggs.
- Poor hygiene: Not washing hands before eating or after using the restroom increases the risk of accidental ingestion of roundworm eggs.
- Contact with contaminated soil: Soil that contains Ascaris eggs, particularly in areas with poor sanitation, can cause infection when it comes into contact with the mouth.
- Lack of access to clean water: In areas with no access to clean water, people may ingest eggs by drinking water contaminated with human excreta.
- Inadequate sanitation: Without proper waste disposal and sewage systems, Ascaris eggs can spread through contaminated soil and water.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase the risk of contracting ascariasis, primarily related to hygiene and living conditions.
1- Living in areas with poor sanitation
Communities with inadequate waste disposal and sewage systems are at higher risk of ascariasis, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
2- Young age
Children are more likely to become infected because they tend to play in contaminated soil and may not practice good hygiene.
3- Exposure to contaminated soil
Farmers and individuals who work with soil may be at higher risk if the soil is contaminated with human feces containing Ascaris eggs.
Complications
Ascariasis, if left untreated, leads to various severe complications, such as:
- Intestinal blockage: A severe infestation can create a blockage in the intestines. This infection can cause severe pain and vomiting. If left untreated, it may result in life-threatening complications.
- Malnutrition: Because worms absorb nutrients present in the intestines. This leads to significant nutritional deficiency, particularly among children.
- Lung involvement: The larvae traveling through the lungs can cause respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, or in worse cases, pneumonia and other lungs issues like Atelectasis etc.
- Growth retardation in children: Ascariasis infection in children will cause slow growth and cognitive development due to nutritional deficiencies as a result of the parasitic infestation.
- Perforation of the intestine: In rare cases, worms have caused perforation on the wall of the intestine, and that is a medical emergency.
- Bacterial infections: The presence of worms can raise the chances of secondary bacterial infections in the lungs or intestines.
Prevention
Maintaining good hygiene and improving sanitation are the two best ways to prevent ascariasis.
- Washing hands regularly: Frequent hand washing, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom, can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
- Eating cooked food: Proper cooking of food can kill Ascaris eggs and thus reduce the chances of ingestion.
- Improving sanitation: Communities should work to improve sanitation facilities like latrines and sewage systems to decrease contamination.
- Drinking clean water: Drinking safe, treated water helps prevent the ingestion of Ascaris eggs.
- Proper waste disposal: Proper disposal of human excreta prevents soil and water from the contamination of Ascaris eggs.
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Diagnosis
Advancements in healthcare technology have made diagnosing ascariasis more efficient. Ascariasis can be diagnosed with a review of the medical history, a physical check-up, and diagnostic tests. Here are some tests used to diagnose Ascariasis, explained in detail:
| Diagnostic Test | Description |
|---|---|
| Stool Sample Analysis | Examines stool for the presence of Ascaris eggs or worms. |
| Blood Tests | Detects high levels of eosinophils, a white blood cell type that increases during parasitic infections. |
| X-rays | Identifies large numbers of worms in the intestines or lungs. |
| Ultrasound | Used in severe cases to detect worms or blockages in the intestines. |
| CT Scan | Provides detailed images of the intestines to identify obstructions or large worm infestations. |
FitwellHub offers access to advanced diagnostic tests to diagnose and cure parasitic infections such as ascariasis. Visit our labs to schedule a test.
Treatment
Ascariasis treatment is generally done through antiparasitic medication along with supportive care. Some common treatment options are:
- Antiparasitic medications: Drugs such as mebendazole and albendazole are generally prescribed by doctors as they target roundworms.
- Surgery: In most advanced cases, surgery may be needed to eliminate a blockage created by worms in the intestines.
- Nutritional support: In case of malnutrition, nutritional supplements may be important to re-establish health status after treatment.
Using telemedicine, patients in remote areas can now consult specialists and receive timely advice on diagnosis and treatment without traveling to urban centers.
Medications
The following are the medications commonly used to treat ascariasis:
- Albendazole: This is an antiparasitic medication and is effective in killing adult roundworms, thus preventing further infestation.
- Mebendazole: It is another antiparasitic drug used to treat ascariasis, particularly in cases of mild to moderate infestation.
- Ivermectin: It can be used in case of heavy worm burden or in areas where albendazole and mebendazole resistance is a concern.
At FitwellHub Pharmacy, you can access these medications and more. Visit our pharmacy for all your prescription needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Ascariasis is a parasitic infection that occurs due to the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, which mainly disrupts the intestines.
Ascariasis is contracted by ingesting food or water contaminated with roundworm eggs, often due to poor sanitation.
Common symptoms of ascariasis are abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea. However, without treatment, it may worsen and cause blockage in the intestine.
Yes, children are more prone to cases of ascariasis, particularly in areas with low sanitation standards and poor hygiene practices.
Ascariasis is diagnosed by stool tests, which can indicate the presence of roundworm eggs in mild cases, and imaging tests help detect intestinal obstructions.
If left untreated, roundworms may lead to obstruction in the intestine or even travel to other closely located organs, which can cause problems like nutritional deficiencies or lung issues.
For the ascariasis treatment, antiparasitic medications, including mebendazole or albendazole, are used to kill the roundworms.
It can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene, frequent hand washing, sanitation, and avoiding contaminated water or food.
Yes, if a person is exposed to a contaminated environment regularly, can get infected again. Thus, maintaining proper sanitation and good hygiene is necessary.