Ascariasis - SP Medifort Hospital

Understanding Ascariasis and Its Treatment

Ascariasis is one of the most common worm infections in people worldwide. These infections happen most often in children in tropical and subtropical countries. The risk of infection is higher in areas that lack good sanitation and waste treatment services.An infection caused by roundworms called ascariasis. These worms are parasites that develop from eggs to adult worms by using the body as a host.

At SP Medifort Hospital, a top hospital for ascariasis treatment, patients receive expert care for roundworm infections and other parasitic worm diseases. Our experienced team provides the best ascariasis treatment in South India, offering safe and effective anti-parasitic therapy to remove worms, prevent complications, and restore healthy digestion. With advanced diagnostic tests for worm infections and personalized treatment plans, we ensure timely management for children and adults affected by ascariasis, tropical worm infections, and gastrointestinal parasites. Early intervention is key to improving overall gut health and preventing long-term complications.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of Ascariasis?

The symptoms usually develop gradually and can include:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea or constipation
Wheezing
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating or poor appetite
Weight loss

Causes of Ascariasis

Ascariasis is caused by infection with the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. The main causes include:

Ingestion of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs: Ascariasis begins when tiny eggs of the Ascaris worm are swallowed. These eggs can survive in the environment for a long time and hatch once they reach the intestines, starting the infection.
Contaminated Food: Eating food that has come into contact with Ascaris eggs can introduce the parasite into your body. This often happens when fruits or vegetables are not properly washed or cooked.
Contaminated Water: Drinking water that contains Ascaris eggs can lead to infection. Even small amounts of contaminated water can carry enough eggs to start an infection.

Diagnosis of Ascariasis

Ascariasis is diagnosed through a healthcare checkup to see whether the illness is causing your symptoms. Your healthcare expert inquires about your symptoms and may prescribe testing.

Blood Tests: Blood tests can detect an unusually high number of white blood cells known as eosinophils. Ascariasis can increase your eosinophil count, but so can other medical conditions.
Imaging Tests: Doctors can use imaging tests to see worms inside the body. X-rays can show a mass of worms in the stomach or sometimes larvae in the lungs. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of organs and can detect worms in the liver or pancreas. CT scans and MRI give detailed images to help find worms that may be blocking ducts in the liver or pancreas. CT scans use X-rays from different angles, while MRIs use magnets and radio waves.

What are the risk factors for ascariasis?

The risk factors for developing Ascariasis disease include:

Warm Climate: Ascariasis is more common in tropical and subtropical regions with warm, wet weather.
Poor Sanitation: Ascariasis is common in areas where human stool can interact with soil. The condition is uncommon in places with appropriate sanitation.
Age: Children, especially those 10 years old or younger, are at higher risk of ascariasis. This is often because they play outdoors and in soil, which can be contaminated with Ascaris eggs, making it easier for them to get infected.

Treatment options for Ascariasis

Ascariasis treatment usually includes taking medications. Sometimes surgery is necessary.

Surgery: When there are large numbers of worms or serious complications, surgery for ascariasis may be necessary to remove the parasites and repair the damage they have caused. Surgical intervention is often required for conditions such as intestinal blockage due to roundworms, intestinal perforation, bile duct obstruction, or appendicitis caused by ascariasis. Early diagnosis and timely treatment help reduce the need for surgery.

Medications: Anti-parasitic medications are the primary treatment for ascariasis. Commonly prescribed roundworm infection medicines include albendazole, mebendazole (Emverm), and ivermectin (Stromectol). These deworming medicines effectively kill the parasites and prevent further infection, making them the standard medical treatment for ascariasis in both children and adults.