Parasitic worms are minute organisms that live off their living hosts and feed on them. There are plenty of different types of parasitic worms that make their habitat in human beings. The commonest among them are thorny-headed worms, flatworms, and roundworms. Though the risk of infections caused by these worms is greater in developing and rural regions, it is seen that people residing in contaminated places are also at risk. The same rings true for habitats with poor sanitation facilities wherein residents are prone to the infections caused by parasitic worms.
In the paras below, you’ll get to know a little more about the parasitic worms infecting humans and why you should avoid becoming a host.
Parasitic Infection Causing Worms
Roundworms and tapeworms are the most likely culprits with respect to parasitic infections. They are extremely small in size and can only be observed under a microscope. Found in a variety of habitats, these worms can lead to bad health and a series of related complications.
Tapeworm and Flukes
It’s possible to contact tapeworm related parasitic infections by consuming water that’s contaminated with its larvae or eggs. Tapeworm is a type of flatworm that can also make its way into your system when you consume undercooked or raw meat. It has been found that tapeworms remain in the intestinal wall after embedding themselves there. While living in the intestines of their living hosts, specific kinds of tapeworms are capable of producing eggs that go on to mature into larvae and then migrate to other body parts to cause further infections.
Tapeworms can be identified by their white, long, ribbon-like look. They tend to grow up to 80 feet in length and can survive within humans for a period of up to 30 years in a row. According to Dr. Jay Davidson (https://drjaydavidson.com/), over 50 percent of the world’s human population is infected with some type of parasitic worm in their body. Flukes are yet another type of flatworm that is likely to cause fewer infections in humans. Freshwater plants and watercress serve to be the main ways for humans to get infected by flukes. Drinking contaminated water is another means of contracting fluke infection.
Hookworms
Hookworms are parasitic worms that are transmitted via contaminated soil and feces. In case you walk around barefoot on soil that harbors hookworm larvae then you are likely to get infected by them. Hookworm larvae can pierce through your skin to cause infections. These worms reside in the small intestine of humans wherein they use their hooks to get attached to the walls of the intestine. Usually half an inch in length, hookworms can live for a long time inside your system after entering it.
Keep Parasitic Worms Away
Pinworms (threadworms), trichinosis worms, and a host of other parasitic worms can infect you and cause grave agony. In order to keep them at bay, it is very important to keep your home and surrounding areas hygienic and clean. Drink boiled and filtered water only and try not to walk around barefoot on the soil to avoid contracting infections.
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