Treatment of Ascariasis

Ascariasis (as-kuh-Ri-uh-sis) is a type of roundworm infection. Roundworms are parasites that use your body as a host to stay alive and reproduce, maturing from eggs to adult worms inside your body. Eggs of the ascaris roundworm are microscopic, but adult worms are the largest of the intestinal roundworms, reaching lengths up to 16 inches (41 centimeters).

Ascariasis is one of the most common roundworm infections in humans, infecting approximately 25 percent of the world’s population. The highest rate of ascariasis infection occurs in places in which sanitation and hygiene are poor. In the United States, ascariasis is the most common in rural areas with warm climates.

Most of the time, ascariasis causes no symptoms or only mild digestive problems but when your body is infested with hundreds of worms, more serious symptoms and complications can occur.

Ascariasis is an intestinal communicable disease caused by an intestinal parasite known as Ascaris lumbricoides. The adult worm lives in the lumen of the small intestine (jejunum) of man.

Mode of infection

Mode of transmission is feco-oral. Embryonated egg is the infective stage. Infection is effected by swallowing of matured embryonated eggs along with raw vegetables. Infection may occur by drinking contaminated water. Dirty or contaminated fingers may be a possible source of infection.

Incubation period

The incubation period is quite variable from few weeks to months.

Pathogenicity (symptoms)

The disease caused by the infection of A. Lumbricoides in man is known ascariasis. Symptoms caused by Ascaris infection are:

1. Indigestion, abdominal discomfort

2. Acute colic pain

3. Appendicitis, gastric ulcers

4. Diarrhea and vomiting and mild temperature

5. Loss of weight

6. Person becomes weak and anemic

Pathogenicity (symptoms)

The disease caused by the infection of A. Lumbricoides in man is known ascariasis. Symptoms caused by Ascaris infection are:

1. Indigestion, abdominal discomfort

2. Acute colic pain

3. Appendicitis, gastric ulcers

4. Diarrhea and vomiting and mild temperature

5. Loss of weight

6. Person becomes weak and anemic

Treatment

It is treated with anti-helminth drugs such as piperazine, Mebendazole, Albendazole, etc.

Prophylaxis (Prevention)

1. Proper disposal of human faeces

2. Avoid using raw materials and contaminated water

3. Treatment of parasitized individuals and

4. Education of children in schools on sanitary laws and hygiene

5. It is treated with anti-helminth drugs such as piperazine, Mebendazole, Albendazole, etc.