Types Of Parasites - The Nematodes (Roundworms)

From the
http://www.humaworm.com
website:

THE NEMATODES (ROUNDWORMS)
These are what most people think of when it comes to human parasites. They are the pinworms, the whipworms, and the hookworms. They are of course bigger than the one celled protozoa, but they are all round and small and can cause a staggering amount of damage. It is a big misconception that we actually eat worms to become infected – we actually ingest the microscopic eggs which then hatch in our bodies.

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PINWORMS – the #1 parasite in the North America and Europe. They cause an itchy anus, digestive problems, irritability and insomnia. They are the most readily seen of all of the species of parasites because they live in the colon and they come out at night to lay their eggs in the anus and on bedclothes. The adults are white and ½ inch long. The eggs can become airborne and are able to live without host for 2 days. They are also transmitted by the anus – hand – mouth route. School age children followed by preschoolers have the highest infestation rates. If one member of a family has pinworms, it is highly likely that all members are infected. Children in day care centers and institutional settings are also at high risk for infestation from other children. If a child scratches, then touches something, the microscopic eggs are easily left for another child to put into their mouth.

HOOKWORMS – are also called “Necator Americanus” which means the American Murderer. They come from contaminated food and water. The eggs hatch in the intestines then migrate to the lungs through the bloodstream where they are coughed up and swallowed. They then travel back to the small intestine to reproduce. In the lungs they can cause pneumonia . In the intestines they hook themselves into the intestinal walls where each one drinks up to 1cc of blood per day causing bleeding and tissue death, not to mention anemia weakness. Hookworms from dogs and cats penetrate human skin and stay there causing skin problems and rashes including edema. (We get these from pets licking us or us petting or grooming them.) Hookworms also cause asthma, eye pain, insomnia, and dry skin and hair. Itching and a rash at the site of where skin touched soil or sand is usually the first sign of infection. These symptoms occur when the larvae penetrate the skin. While a light infection may cause no symptoms, heavy infection can cause anemia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Heavy, chronic infections can cause stunted growth and mental development.

WHIPWORMS – attach themselves to the intestinal wall where they inject their digestive fluid into the tissue which then turns into a liquid. They then suck up this liquid. This causes anemia, bloody stools, lower abdominal pain, weight loss and nausea. Each female can lay 10,000 eggs per day and each adult can live for several years. When the eggs are passed out through your feces (unseen) they are able to live for three weeks without a host. If you touch an object (public shopping cart, salt shaker, doorknob, etc.) that has an egg on it, then put your finger in your mouth – you are infected.

ASCARIS - is a round worm that lives in the small intestine. Adult female worms can grow to over 12 inches in length - adult males are smaller. Ascariasis is the most common human worm infection - children are infected more often than adults. Most people have no symptoms that are noticeable, but infection in children may cause slower growth and slower weight gain. If you are heavily infected, you may have abdominal pain. Sometimes, while the immature worms migrate through the lungs, you may cough and have difficulty breathing. If you have a very heavy worm infection, your intestines may become blocked. You may cough up an ascaris larvae or pass an adult worm in your stool. Ascaris eggs are found in human feces. After feces contaminates the soil, the eggs become infectious after a few weeks. Infection occurs when a person accidentally ingests (swallows) infectious microscopic Ascaris eggs. Once in the stomach, immature worms hatch from the eggs. The larvae are carried through the lungs and then to the throat where they are swallowed. Once swallowed, they reach the intestines and develop into adult worms. Adult female worms lay eggs that are then passed in feces; this cycle will take between 2-3 months.

BAYLISASCARIS - this roundworm infects raccoons and other animals including humans. The eggs can live in the soil for YEARS. Humans become infected when they accidently injest the microscopic eggs from water, soil or other objects. The eggs hatch into larvae which travel throgh the body affecting organs and muscles. The symptoms - which can take a week or more to show - include nausea, fatigue, liver enlargement, loss of coordination and loss of muscle control. Severe cases can cause blindness and coma.

SCHISTOSOMIASIS - this infection comes from contaminated fresh water. Days after infection, itchy skin or a rash develops - after 1-2 months, fever, chills, cough and muscle aches set in. The body reacts to the eggs produced by these worms, not the worms themselves. The eggs can be found in the brain, spinal cord and can cause seizures, spinal cord inflammation and paralysis. The parasite can damage the liver, intestines, lungs and bladder.