can u just xplain ascariasis in detail about its symptoms treatment, can it be fatal also ,for how long a person can live with this disease???
Ascariasis is infection with the parasitic roundwormAscaris lumbricoides.
CausesPeople get ascariasisby consuming food or drink contaminated with roundworm eggs. Ascariasis is the most common intestinal worm infection. It isrelated topoor personal hygiene andpoor sanitation. Persons who live in places where human feces are used as fertilizer are also at risk of this disease.
Once consumed, the eggs hatch and release immature roundworms called larvae within the small intestine. Within a few days, the larvae then move through the bloodstream to the lungs. They travel up through the large airways of the lungs, and are swallowed back into the stomach and reach the small intestine.
As the larvae move through the lungs they maycause an uncommon form of pneumonia called eosinophilic pneumonia. Once they are back in the small intestine, the larvae mature into adult roundworms. Adult worms live in the small intestine where they lay eggs that are present in feces. They can live 10 24 months.
It is estimated that 1 billion people are infected worldwide. Ascariasis occurs in people of all ages, though children are affected more severely than adults.
SymptomsMost of the time, there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include:
- Bloody sputum
- Cough
- Low-gradefever
- Passing worms in stool
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting worms
- Wheezing
- Worms exiting through the nose or mouth
The infected person may show signs of malnutrition. Tests to diagnose this condition include:
- Abdominal x-rayor other imaging tests
- Complete blood count
- Eosinophil count
- Stool ova and parasites exam
Treatment includes medicines that paralyze or kill intestinal parasitic worms, such as albendazole or mebendazole. Thesemedicines should not be used for pregnant patients. Pyrantel pamoate is the preferred medication for pregnant patients.
If there is a blockage of the intestine caused by a large number of worms, endoscopy may be used to remove the worms. In rare cases, surgeryis needed.
Patients should be checked again in 3 months. This involves examining the stools to check for worm eggs. If eggs are present, treatment should be given again.
Outlook (Prognosis)Most people recover from symptoms of the infection, even without treatment. But they may continue to carry the worms in their body.
Complicationscan be caused by adult worms that move to certain organs such as the bile duct, pancreas, or appendix. If the wormsmultiply, they can block the intestine.
Possible Complications- Liver secretion (biliary tract) obstruction
- Blockage in the intestine
- Hole (perforation) in the gut
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of ascariasis, particularly if you have traveled to a high-risk area. Also call if symptoms get worse, do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms occur.
PreventionImproved sanitation and hygiene in developing countries will reduce the risk in those areas. In areas where this disorder is common, routine or preventive (prophylactic) treatment with deworming medications may be advised.