It is not uncommon for people to become infected with parasitic worms such as tapeworms, pinworms, or roundworms. These worms can enter the body through contaminated food or water, contact with animals, or the environment. Many people wonder what happens if these worms take up residence inside the body and how long they can survive. This article will examine how different types of worms enter the human body, where they reside, their life cycles, and how long they can live within a human host if left untreated.
How worms enter the body
There are a few common ways that worms and their eggs can enter the human body:
Contaminated food or water: Consuming undercooked meat or fish that contains worm larvae or eggs can lead to an infection. Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables contaminated with eggs can also transmit worms. Drinking unclean water is another source of ingesting worm eggs.
Soil: Some worm eggs and larvae live in dirt and can burrow into skin on contact. Walking barefoot where there is contaminated soil increases exposure. Young children are especially vulnerable when playing in dirty areas.
Pets: Worm eggs can spread through contact with the feces of infected animals. Cleaning pet living areas without gloves or touching pets with worms can pass the parasite onto humans.
Insect bites: Mosquitos and fleas can carry worm larvae and transfer them when they bite. Scratching the bite can further push the larvae into the wound.
Where worms reside in the body
Once inside the body, different types of worms take up residence in various areas:
Intestinal worms such as tapeworms, pinworms, roundworms, and whipworms live in the digestive tract. They often attach themselves to the intestinal wall where they can lay thousands of eggs that are then passed in stool.
Tissue worms like heartworms and hookworms burrow into body tissues and organs. Heartworms lodge in blood vessels of the heart and lungs. Hookworms embed in the intestinal wall and feed on blood.
Larvae of worms like roundworms and hookworms travel through the bloodstream to tissues where they encyst and grow into adults. Common sites include the liver, eyes, brain, and muscles.
Worm life cycles
To understand how long worms can live in the body, it’s important to look at their basic life cycles:
1. Eggs are ingested or enter through the skin: Worm eggs are taken into the body through contaminated food/water or through the skin.
2. Eggs hatch and release larvae: Once inside the body, eggs hatch and release larvae which travel to various tissues and organs.
3. Larvae mature into adults: The larvae mature into adult worms which mate and produce thousands of eggs to repeat the cycle.
4. Adults live inside the body: Adult worms can live inside the intestines or tissues for years if left untreated. They produce eggs which are passed out of the body in feces or make their way into the bloodstream to repeat the cycle.
The exact lifespan depends on the type of worm:
How long common worms can live in the body
| Type of Worm | Lifespan inside body |
|---|---|
| Tapeworms | 20 to 30 years |
| Pinworms | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Roundworms | 1 to 2 years |
| Hookworms | 5 to 7 years |
| Whipworms | Up to 5 years |
As seen, tapeworms can live for decades inside a human if not treated properly. Other worms may only survive for weeks or a few years. However, new worms are constantly reintroduced from eggs passed in feces or spread through contaminated food/water sources. This allows the infestation to persist for long periods.
Signs and symptoms of worm infections
The signs and symptoms of a worm infection depend on the type of worm but can include:
– Abdominal pain, cramping, bloating
– Diarrhea or abnormal stools
– Coughing with blood (in lung worm infections)
– Fatigue and weakness
– Weight loss
– Nutritional deficiencies
– Anemia from blood loss
– Skin rashes or irritation around genitals from pinworms
Some people may not experience obvious symptoms in mild infestations. But worms can still cause internal damage as they feed off host tissues and blood. Over time, they can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and problems with growth and development in children.
Diagnosis of worm infections
If worm infection is suspected, a doctor will take a detailed history about exposure risks and overseas travel. A physical exam can sometimes reveal an enlarged liver or abdomen swollen with fluid.
The following tests help diagnose the type of worm:
– Stool examination to look for eggs under a microscope
– Blood tests checking for antibodies against worms
– Scans like CT, MRI or ultrasound to detect worms in tissues
– Biopsy of infected tissue for microscopic examination
– Endoscopy to visually inspect the intestines
Identifying the type of worm is crucial for determining the appropriate anti-parasitic medication and dosage.
How long worms can be left untreated
While worms can survive for years inside the body, it is not advisable to leave an infection untreated.
Over time, worms can cause:
– Chronic gastrointestinal issues
– Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
– Anemia from intestinal blood loss
– Impaired growth and cognitive development in children
– Damage to organs and tissues
Certain worms like tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms can be fatal if left untreated as they eventually infest vital organs and blood vessels.
Worms that reside long-term in the intestines can cause abdominal complications like intestinal blockages, perforations, infection, and bleeding.
Eggs produced by reproductive adult worms will also continue to contaminate the environment and spread the infestation if not addressed.
So while worms may live for extended periods inside a human host, it is critical to seek treatment as soon as an infection is suspected or confirmed through lab tests.
Treatment for worm infections
Several effective prescription medications can eliminate intestinal worms and cure an infection. Common anti-parasitic drugs include:
– Albendazole
– Mebendazole
– Ivermectin
– Pyrantel pamoate
– Praziquantel
The choice of medication depends on the type and severity of the infestation. The exact dosage and duration is tailored to the patient and particular worm. Most treatments are taken orally for 1 to 3 days, sometimes repeated after 2 to 4 weeks.
For severe cases or worms lodged deep in tissues, steroid medication may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation caused by dying worms. Supportive care to correct malnutrition and anemia is also provided.
To prevent reinfection, hygiene education is key. Handwashing, thoroughly cooking meat, washing produce, and only drinking clean water can help avoid ingesting worm eggs again after treatment. Close contacts may also require screening and preventative medication.
Prognosis with treatment
With prescription anti-parasitic treatment, most intestinal worm infections can be cured and fully resolved without lasting complications.
However, certain worms like tapeworms have a higher recurrence risk if cysts left behind in tissues reactivate. Repeated treatment cycles are sometimes needed to kill any remaining worms and ensure the infestation is eradicated.
Rarely, dead worm tissue can get trapped in the intestines or ducts and require surgical removal if it does not pass naturally.
In the majority of cases, anti-parasitic medication eliminates all worms. This allows the gastrointestinal system to heal completely and return to normal functioning.
With early diagnosis and prompt treatment, most patients make a full recovery and have an excellent prognosis. They can expect the symptoms of infestation to resolve quickly after worms are destroyed and pass out of the body.
Prevention of worm infections
There are several key ways to avoid getting infected with parasitic worms:
– Drink only purified water, especially when traveling.
– Thoroughly wash hands before eating or handling food.
– Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
– Only eat fully cooked meats.
– Avoid contact with stray animals and their feces.
– Avoid walking barefoot where there is contaminated soil.
– Implement safe pet hygiene practices.
– If living in an endemic country, take prescribed preventative medication.
These measures can reduce the risk of ingesting worm eggs or larvae and prevent transmission. Routine deworming of pets and livestock also limits spread of worm infections.
Public health initiatives promoting safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are vital for reducing environmental contamination with worm eggs that spread parasites.
Conclusion
While worms are capable of living for years inside the human body, it is crucial to seek treatment at the first sign of infection rather than allowing the infestation to persist. Modern prescription anti-parasitic medication can effectively kill intestinal worms and cure symptoms in the majority of cases, allowing for a full recovery. Preventative measures are also key to avoid ingesting worm eggs and larvae in the first place through good hygiene, water purification, and properly cooked food. By understand the typical lifecycles and transmission routes of parasitic worms, we can break cycles of reinfection and environmental contamination to safeguard community health.