Intestinal Worms: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Intestinal worms are parasitic infections in which worms live inside the intestine and feed on its contents or on the host's blood; they are among the most widespread parasitic infections in the world, especially in areas with limited hygiene and sanitation. They include many types such as roundworms (like Ascaris), hookworms, tapeworms, and pinworms.

Most intestinal worms are transmitted by mouth through swallowing their eggs present in contaminated food or water, through contaminated soil (some worms penetrate the skin from a bare foot), or from undercooked meat (tapeworms). Many infections are mild and may have no symptoms, especially at first. But as the number of worms or the infection's duration increases, symptoms may appear such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and seeing worms in the stool, and some types may cause anemia (blood-feeding hookworms) or malnutrition and delayed growth in children.

The good news is that most intestinal worms are easily treated with anti-worm medications prescribed by the doctor, often as one or two doses, and treating family members may be advised for some fast-spreading types. But treatment alone is not enough if exposure continues, so prevention is fundamental: washing hands before eating and after the toilet, washing vegetables and fruit, drinking safe water, cooking meat well, wearing shoes, and trimming nails. Medical evaluation is important to determine the worm type and appropriate treatment, especially in children or with persistent symptoms or anemia.

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.
• Loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss.
• Seeing worms or parts of them in the stool.
• Anal itching (in some types), anemia, and delayed growth in children.

• Swallowing worm eggs through contaminated food or water.
• Contaminated soil (some worms penetrate the skin from a bare foot).
• Eating undercooked meat (tapeworms).
• Poor hygiene and sanitation.

• A stool test to detect worm eggs or parts.
• Blood tests (may show a raised type of white cell or anemia).
• Clinical assessment and exposure history.

Anti-worm medications

• A doctor-prescribed medication by the worm type, often one or two doses.
• Treating family members may be advised for fast-spreading types, and the dose repeated when needed.

Supportive care

• Treating resulting anemia and malnutrition when present.
• Hygiene to prevent reinfection.

This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• Anemia (especially blood-feeding worms).
• Malnutrition and delayed growth in children.
• Intestinal obstruction in heavy infections with many worms.

• Washing hands before eating and after the toilet.
• Washing vegetables and fruit well, drinking safe water, and cooking meat well.
• Wearing shoes and avoiding walking barefoot on contaminated soil.
• Trimming nails and treating family members when needed.