Intestinal-Worms

Intestinal Worms in Human beings [with MCQs + FAQs]

What are Parasitic Worms?

Parasites are organisms that live in and feed off a living host. There is a range of parasitic worms that can take up residence in human beings.

Amongst them are flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms. The risk of parasitic infection is higher in rural or developing regions. The risk is great in places where food and drinking water might be contaminated and sanitation is poor.

Intestinal tract worms, or parasitic worms, are simple organisms that feed off the body.

Many people recognize the more common varieties, such as tapeworms and hookworms, but may be less knowledgeable about the others.

Intestinal worms can cause numerous symptoms in the body, some of which resemble the signs of other gut disorders. A quick and comprehensive diagnosis is essential in each case to avoid issues.

Worms that commonly cause infections in Humans

There are many different types of intestinal tract worms that can impact people. Below, we take a look at some of them in more information.

Tapeworm

A tapeworm is a type of flatworm that lives in the intestine, where it connects itself to the intestinal wall. Most people with tapeworm experience either no signs or very mild symptoms. Here are a couple of different kinds of tapeworm. Some tapeworms live in water, and drinking unclean water might allow them into the body. Other tapeworms reside in meats, such as beef, and consuming unclean or raw meats may expose the individual to them. Tapeworms are flat and tend to be long, normally between 3 and 10 meters depending upon the kind of worm.

Tapeworm

 

Hookworm

A hookworm is a worm that typically enters an individual’s body through unsanitary soil. The name of the worm describes the way that one end of its body tapers off into a needle or hook shape. Hookworms use up space in the small intestine, where they lay eggs, which pass out of the body through the feces.

When the eggs hatch, the larvae can potentially go through the skin of another individual. Individuals are at risk if they enter contact with fecal matter or with soil containing infected feces as fertilizer. Most people with hookworm have no symptoms. Some individuals might reveal typical intestinal symptoms, and this might be more typical with new infections.

Hookworm

 

Fluke

Flukes are another type of flatworm. Flukes might be more typical in animals, although it is possible for human beings to contract these parasitic worms as well. Flukes are little and have a rounded leaf shape. Human beings get them by mistakenly eating or ingesting them, either in drinking water or freshwater plants, such as watercress.

When inside the body, adult flukes occupy the bile ducts and liver.

Fluke

 

Pinworm

A pinworm is a little, thin roundworm that is about the size of a staple. Pinworms are reasonably safe and sometimes live in the colon and anus of human beings. Somebody who has the worms can pass them onto someone else through direct contact or by sharing a contaminated item with them. Pinworms typically cause itching around the anus, which can be seriously adequate to make sleeping difficult. Signs appear during the night as this is when the female pinworms crawl out of the rectum to lay their eggs on the surrounding skin.

Pinworm

 Ascariasis

Ascariasis resembles a hookworm, although it is only a few inches long. It resides in infected soil, so it only goes into the body when people ingest the eggs. Inside the body, this worm lives in the intestines.

Further Reading:  Nucleus - Definition, Structure and Functions

Ascariasis

 

Trichinella

Trichinella worms are another type of roundworm that may pass to humans who consume undercooked or raw meats which contain live larvae. The larvae then grow in the intestines. On reaching their full size, the Trichinella worms might leave the intestines and reside in other tissues, such as the muscles.

Trichinella

Causes

One method to become infected with digestive worms is eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, such as a cow, beef, or fish. Other possible causes causing intestinal tract worm infection consist of:

  • intake of polluted water
  • consumption of infected soil
  • contact with infected feces
  • poor sanitation
  • poor hygiene
General Symptoms

Common symptoms of intestinal worms are:

  • stomach pain
  • diarrhea, queasiness, or vomiting
  • gas/bloating
  • fatigue
  • weight-loss
  • inflammation

MCQs:

  • What are parasites?
    • A) Organisms that live in and feed off a host
    • B) Microscopic organisms
    • C) Plants that grow on hosts
    • D) Organisms that live independently
    • Answer: A
  • Where is the risk of parasitic infection higher?
    • A) Urban areas
    • B) Developed regions
    • C) Rural or developing regions
    • D) Industrial zones
    • Answer: C
  • What is the characteristic feature of intestinal worms?
    • A) They feed off sunlight
    • B) They live independently
    • C) They feed off the body and reside in a living host
    • D) They only affect animals
    • Answer: C
  • What is the purpose of a quick and comprehensive diagnosis of intestinal worms?
    • A) To prolong issues
    • B) To avoid complications
    • C) To increase symptoms
    • D) To spread the infection
    • Answer: B
  • What type of worms are commonly found in the human intestine?
    • A) Roundworms only
    • B) Flatworms only
    • C) Both flatworms and roundworms
    • D) Thorny-headed worms only
    • Answer: C
  • Which of the following is a type of flatworm that attaches itself to the intestinal wall?
    • A) Pinworm
    • B) Hookworm
    • C) Tapeworm
    • D) Ascariasis
    • Answer: C
  • How long can tapeworms typically be?
    • A) 1-3 meters
    • B) 5-8 meters
    • C) 3-10 meters
    • D) 10-15 meters
    • Answer: C
  • How does hookworm typically enter an individual’s body?
    • A) Through contaminated water
    • B) Through infected air
    • C) Through unsanitary soil
    • D) Through direct contact with an infected person
    • Answer: C
  • What is the characteristic shape of flukes?
    • A) Needle-like
    • B) Flat and long
    • C) Rounded leaf
    • D) Spiral
    • Answer: C
  • How can pinworms be transmitted from one person to another?
    • A) Through the air
    • B) Through contaminated water
    • C) Through direct contact or sharing contaminated objects
    • D) Through insect bites
    • Answer: C
  • What does Ascariasis resemble, and where does it live in the body?
    • A) Resembles a hookworm; lives in the lungs
    • B) Resembles a tapeworm; lives in the intestines
    • C) Resembles a fluke; lives in the liver
    • D) Resembles a hookworm; lives in the intestines
    • Answer: D
  • How can Trichinella worms pass to humans?
    • A) Through contaminated water
    • B) Through insect bites
    • C) Through consumption of undercooked or raw meats
    • D) Through direct contact with an infected person
    • Answer: C
  • What is a common cause of intestinal worm infection?
    • A) Consumption of undercooked meat
    • B) Exposure to sunlight
    • C) Eating raw vegetables
    • D) Breathing polluted air
    • Answer: A
  • What are common symptoms of intestinal worms?
    • A) Headache and fever
    • B) Stomach pain, diarrhea, and fatigue
    • C) Cough and shortness of breath
    • D) Joint pain and skin rash
    • Answer: B
  • What is a potential cause of intestinal worm infection related to water?
    • A) Drinking clean water
    • B) Swimming in chlorinated pools
    • C) Consumption of polluted water
    • D) Using water for gardening
    • Answer: C
  • How might contact with infected feces lead to intestinal worm infection?
    • A) Through breathing
    • B) Through skin contact
    • C) Through the eyes
    • D) Through ingestion
    • Answer: D
  • What can poor sanitation and hygiene contribute to?
    • A) Improved health
    • B) Reduced risk of infections
    • C) Increased risk of intestinal worm infection
    • D) Enhanced immunity
    • Answer: C
  • Why is a quick diagnosis essential for intestinal worms?
    • A) To spread the infection
    • B) To prolong symptoms
    • C) To avoid complications
    • D) To increase fatigue
    • Answer: C
  • Where are flukes found inside the human body?
    • A) Lungs
    • B) Intestines
    • C) Liver
    • D) Stomach
    • Answer: C
  • What is the characteristic shape of pinworms?
    • A) Needle-like
    • B) Flat and long
    • C) Rounded leaf
    • D) Thin and round
    • Answer: D
Further Reading:  Food Chain, Food Web and Energy Flow in Food Chain

FAQs:

  1. What are parasitic worms, and where can they reside?
    • Parasitic worms are organisms that live in and feed off a living host. They can reside in various parts of the body, including the intestine.
  2. Where is the risk of parasitic infection higher?
    • The risk of parasitic infection is higher in rural or developing regions, especially in areas with poor sanitation and contaminated food or water.
  3. What are the common varieties of parasitic worms that can affect humans?
    • Common varieties include flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms.
  4. What symptoms can intestinal worms cause in the body?
    • Intestinal worms can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas/bloating, fatigue, weight loss, and inflammation.
  5. Why is a quick and comprehensive diagnosis of intestinal worms essential?
    • A quick diagnosis is crucial to avoid complications and promptly address the symptoms caused by intestinal worms.
  6. Which types of tapeworms can be found in humans?
    • Tapeworms can be found in water or meats like beef, and their length can range from 3 to 10 meters.
  7. How do hookworms enter an individual’s body, and where do they lay eggs?
    • Hookworms typically enter through unsanitary soil, and they lay eggs in the small intestine, which pass out through feces.
  8. What is the characteristic shape of flukes, and where do they reside inside the body?
    • Flukes have a rounded leaf shape and occupy the bile ducts and liver inside the body.
  9. How are pinworms transmitted, and what symptoms do they cause?
    • Pinworms can be transmitted through direct contact or sharing contaminated items. They cause itching around the anus and lay eggs on the surrounding skin.
  10. What is Ascariasis, and where does it live in the body?
    • Ascariasis is a worm resembling a hookworm, living in the intestines, and is a few inches long.
  11. How can Trichinella worms be transmitted to humans, and where do they reside?
    • Trichinella worms can be transmitted through the consumption of undercooked or raw meats. They initially grow in the intestines and may later reside in other tissues like muscles.
  12. What are the causes of intestinal worm infection?
    • Causes include eating undercooked meat, consuming polluted water or soil, contact with infected feces, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene.
  13. What are general symptoms indicating an intestinal worm infection?
    • General symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas/bloating, fatigue, weight loss, and inflammation.
  14. How might contaminated water contribute to intestinal worm infection?
    • Drinking contaminated water is a potential cause of intestinal worm infection.
  15. How does contact with infected feces lead to intestinal worm infection?
    • Contact with infected feces can lead to infection through ingestion.
  16. What can poor sanitation and hygiene contribute to in terms of intestinal worm infection?
    • Poor sanitation and hygiene can contribute to an increased risk of intestinal worm infection.
  17. Why is it important to treat intestinal worm infections promptly?
    • Prompt treatment is essential to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications associated with intestinal worm infections.
  18. Can intestinal worms cause weight loss?
    • Yes, weight loss is one of the common symptoms associated with intestinal worm infections.
  19. How can one prevent intestinal worm infections?
    • Prevention measures include cooking meat thoroughly, practicing good hygiene, avoiding contaminated water and soil, and maintaining proper sanitation.
  20. Are there medications available for the treatment of intestinal worm infections?
    • Yes, various medications are available for the treatment of intestinal worm infections, and a healthcare professional can prescribe appropriate treatments.
  21. Is it possible to eliminate the risk of intestinal worm infections entirely?
    • While complete elimination may be challenging, adopting preventive measures significantly reduces the risk of intestinal worm infections.
Further Reading:  Human Diseases Due to Fungi

 

Summary: Intestinal Worms in Human Beings

This tutorial comprehensively explores parasitic worms that can affect human beings, highlighting their types, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Parasites, including flatworms, thorny-headed worms, and roundworms, pose a higher risk in regions with poor sanitation and contaminated food or water. The focus on common varieties like tapeworms, hookworms, flukes, pinworms, ascariasis, and Trichinella provides insights into their characteristics and potential impact.

The tutorial emphasizes the importance of a quick diagnosis due to the various symptoms intestinal worms can cause, resembling those of other gut disorders. It also discusses causes such as consuming undercooked meat, polluted water, infected soil, or contact with feces, along with general symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.

In addressing each type of intestinal worm, the tutorial outlines their characteristics, transmission methods, and potential symptoms. Additionally, it touches upon preventive measures, including proper sanitation, hygiene, and cooking practices. Overall, the tutorial serves as a valuable resource for understanding, identifying, and addressing the complexities associated with intestinal worm infections in human beings.