Question

What are the main symptoms of the pulmonary and intestinal phases of ascaris infestation?

Answer 1

Because of the risk of complications, patients with ascariasis who have other concomitant helminthic infections should always undergo treatment for ascariasis first. Medical therapy is usually not indicated during active pulmonary infection because dying larvae are considered a higher risk for significant pneumonitis.

Diagnosis is based on identification of eggs (40 to 70 micrometers by 35 to 50 micrometers) in the stool. Ascaris produces such an abundance of eggs that they often can be seen when stool samples are examined under a microscope. Less commonly, an adult worm may be passed in the stool or may crawl up the throat and try to exit through the mouth or nose. Ascaris larvae may be identified in sputum or phlegm coughed up during the pulmonary stage.

Roundworms are almost worldwide in distribution and highest prevalence is in tropical and subtropical regions and areas with inadequate sanitation. They are abundant in the surface layers of soils and can occur at all ages, but are more prevalent in the five to nine years’ age group. The incidence is higher in poor rural populations. Infection usually begins when soil containing eggs gets on to one's hands. Prevention from the same could be-

• Ensure good personal hygiene and eating habits. Improved sanitation and hygiene would cut the risk of infection.
• Keep hands always clean. Trim nails. Wash hands before eating or preparing food. Wash hands after a toilet visit. Any anti-bacterial soap will usually insure a worm-free existence. (Did you get the importance of washing hands?)
• Use safe drinking water.
• Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables in clean water. Even the water that you may think as clean drinking water can contain forms of parasites as the source of this water may have been a creek, river or stream. Hence ensure that the water used for washing utensils and preparation of food is safe.
• Cooked food is safe. Unless you are sure that the vegetables are safely grown, avoid raw vegetables.
• Discourage thumb sucking/nail biting of children.
• Deworm regularly with anthelmintic (anthelminthic) medications or as directed by your primary physician.

Though, the prevention is always better than cure, still there are cures available for treating ascaris infestation.