Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsDiseasesTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Types

Symptoms

Diseases

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Helminths are parasitic worms that can infect humans and other animals. There are three types of helminths: flukes (trematodes), tapeworms (cestodes), and roundworms (nematodes).

When these worms get into the human body, they can cause parasitic infection, which can appear as as intestinal worms or lung flukes. This infection is known as helminthiasis, although it’s sometimes called helminthosis or simply a worm infection.

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Types of Helminths (Parasitic Worms) - Illustration by Jessica Olah

Helminths are most common in areas that have moist, warm climates and poor sanitation. When worms are in someone’s intestines, that person passes eggs through their stool. As the feces come into contact with soil, the eggs can spread.

People can contract the infection if the infested soil reaches their mouths, often through dirty hands. In the case of hookworm, the parasite matures in the soil and is passed when a person walks over the soil with bare feet.

Some people with helminthiasis have no symptoms. However, as the infection becomes severe, people may experience abdominal symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. Intestinal worms are treatable. In children, the condition can lead to physical and cognitive growth problems if left untreated.

Types of Helminths

Three types of helminths infect humans. A fourth type primarily infects animals but can infect humans in rare cases.They are:

People with mild infections of helminths might not have any symptoms. However, if the infection persists it can lead to more severe symptoms that often include abdominal discomfort. The symptoms of helminthiasis, or an intestinal worm infection, include:

When helminths infect a person, they can lead to diseases. Although infections are rare in the United States, about 24% of people globally have a helminth infection.The three most common intestinal worm infections are:

Ascariasis

Many people with ascariasis don’t have symptoms, but a severe infection can lead to abdominal symptoms. Ascariasis can also migrate outside the intestines, leading to cough and other symptoms as the worms spread.

Whipworm

The symptoms of whipworm include painful bowel movements, diarrhea that contains blood or mucus, and frequent defecation. As whipworm progresses, a person can experience rectal prolapse,anemia(reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen due to low red blood cells or low hemoglobin), and stunted growth.

Hookworm

Helminth infection is diagnosed through the analysis of a stool sample. If you display symptoms of a helminth infection, particularly if you have traveled to an area where these infections are common, your doctor will have the lab look for worms in your stool.

If you have a worm infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antihelmintic medications. These medications, including Albenza (albendazole) and Emverm (mebendazole), rid the body of parasitic worms. They come as a chewable tablet that’s taken twice daily for three days.

Summary

Ascariasis, whipworm, and hookworm are some of the more common helminth infections. Helminth infections are treated with anthelmintic medications.

A Word From Verywell

Helminth infections have a strong “ick” factor. Although it’s unpleasant to think about parasitic worms, remember that worm infections are incredibly common, affecting up to 24% of people. Luckily, they’re very easy to treat with a three-day course of medication.

However, if left untreated, the infection can get worse, so be sure to reach out to your doctor if you’re concerned.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHelminths occur most often in moist, warm climates where people have poor sanitation. Because of that, helminthiasis is known as a tropical disease, although the infections can occur in milder areas during warm times of the year.Children—who are most likely to play in the dirt and have poor handwashing routines—are particularly at risk for parasitic infections.Helminth infection can be treated effectively with a three-day course of medications. These medications have few side effects. Although there is less research about natural remedies, there arenatural remedies for intestinal parasitesthat you can try, including berberine,papaya seed,and pumpkin seed.Most helminth infections are passed when a person unintentionally ingests helminth eggs. These eggs are passed through the stool of an infected person and can get into the soil. If a person comes into contact with that soil (or food like fruits or vegetables that has touched infected soil) they can contract helminths.

Helminths occur most often in moist, warm climates where people have poor sanitation. Because of that, helminthiasis is known as a tropical disease, although the infections can occur in milder areas during warm times of the year.Children—who are most likely to play in the dirt and have poor handwashing routines—are particularly at risk for parasitic infections.

Helminths occur most often in moist, warm climates where people have poor sanitation. Because of that, helminthiasis is known as a tropical disease, although the infections can occur in milder areas during warm times of the year.

Children—who are most likely to play in the dirt and have poor handwashing routines—are particularly at risk for parasitic infections.

Helminth infection can be treated effectively with a three-day course of medications. These medications have few side effects. Although there is less research about natural remedies, there arenatural remedies for intestinal parasitesthat you can try, including berberine,papaya seed,and pumpkin seed.

Most helminth infections are passed when a person unintentionally ingests helminth eggs. These eggs are passed through the stool of an infected person and can get into the soil. If a person comes into contact with that soil (or food like fruits or vegetables that has touched infected soil) they can contract helminths.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Acanthocephaliasis.World Health Organization.Soil-transmitted helminth infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ascariasis FAQs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Trichuriasis (also known as Whipworm Infection). December 23, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hookworm FAQs.Neag MA, Mocan A, Echeverría J, et al.Berberine: Botanical occurrence, traditional uses, extraction methods, and relevance in cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:557. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00557Kugo M, Keter L, Maiyo A, et al.Fortification of Carica papaya fruit seeds to school meal snacks may aid Africa mass deworming programs: a preliminary survey.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):327. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2379-2Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al.Evaluation of anthelmintic activity and composition of pumpkin (cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts-In vitro and in vivo studies.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(9):1456. doi:10.3390/ijms17091456

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Acanthocephaliasis.World Health Organization.Soil-transmitted helminth infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ascariasis FAQs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Trichuriasis (also known as Whipworm Infection). December 23, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hookworm FAQs.Neag MA, Mocan A, Echeverría J, et al.Berberine: Botanical occurrence, traditional uses, extraction methods, and relevance in cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:557. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00557Kugo M, Keter L, Maiyo A, et al.Fortification of Carica papaya fruit seeds to school meal snacks may aid Africa mass deworming programs: a preliminary survey.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):327. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2379-2Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al.Evaluation of anthelmintic activity and composition of pumpkin (cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts-In vitro and in vivo studies.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(9):1456. doi:10.3390/ijms17091456

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Acanthocephaliasis.World Health Organization.Soil-transmitted helminth infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ascariasis FAQs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Trichuriasis (also known as Whipworm Infection). December 23, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hookworm FAQs.Neag MA, Mocan A, Echeverría J, et al.Berberine: Botanical occurrence, traditional uses, extraction methods, and relevance in cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:557. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00557Kugo M, Keter L, Maiyo A, et al.Fortification of Carica papaya fruit seeds to school meal snacks may aid Africa mass deworming programs: a preliminary survey.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):327. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2379-2Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al.Evaluation of anthelmintic activity and composition of pumpkin (cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts-In vitro and in vivo studies.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(9):1456. doi:10.3390/ijms17091456

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Soil-transmitted helminths.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Acanthocephaliasis.

World Health Organization.Soil-transmitted helminth infections.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ascariasis FAQs.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Trichuriasis (also known as Whipworm Infection). December 23, 2020.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hookworm FAQs.

Neag MA, Mocan A, Echeverría J, et al.Berberine: Botanical occurrence, traditional uses, extraction methods, and relevance in cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:557. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00557

Kugo M, Keter L, Maiyo A, et al.Fortification of Carica papaya fruit seeds to school meal snacks may aid Africa mass deworming programs: a preliminary survey.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):327. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2379-2

Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al.Evaluation of anthelmintic activity and composition of pumpkin (cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts-In vitro and in vivo studies.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(9):1456. doi:10.3390/ijms17091456

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