Helminthiasis: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Helminthiasis
| image          = [[File:Ascaris_infection_in_the_x-ray_image-_ascaris_arranged_tidily_along_the_long_axis_of_the_small_bowel_(South_Africa)_(16424840021).jpg|250px]]
| caption        = X-ray image showing [[Ascaris]] infection in the small bowel
| field          = [[Infectious disease]]
| symptoms        = [[Abdominal pain]], [[diarrhea]], [[fatigue]], [[weight loss]]
| complications  = [[Malnutrition]], [[anemia]], [[intestinal obstruction]]
| onset          = Varies depending on the type of helminth
| duration        = Can be chronic if untreated
| causes          = Infection by parasitic [[helminths]] such as [[roundworms]], [[tapeworms]], and [[flukes]]
| risks          = Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, living in endemic areas
| diagnosis      = [[Stool examination]], [[blood tests]], [[imaging studies]]
| prevention      = Improved sanitation, health education, regular deworming
| treatment      = [[Anthelmintic]] medications such as [[albendazole]], [[mebendazole]], [[praziquantel]]
| frequency      = Affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide
}}
== Helminthiasis ==
== Helminthiasis ==
 
[[File:Helminth in appendix 10x (1).jpg|left|thumb|Microscopic view of helminths, parasitic worms causing helminthiasis.]]
[[File:Helminth in appendix 10x (1).jpg|thumb|right|Microscopic view of helminths, parasitic worms causing helminthiasis.]]
 
'''Helminthiasis''' refers to a medical condition caused by infection with helminths, commonly known as parasitic worms. These infections primarily affect the intestinal system but can also impact other bodily organs.
'''Helminthiasis''' refers to a medical condition caused by infection with helminths, commonly known as parasitic worms. These infections primarily affect the intestinal system but can also impact other bodily organs.
== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The term "helminths" is derived from the Greek word meaning "worm."  
The term "helminths" is derived from the Greek word meaning "worm."
 
== Classification of Parasites ==
== Classification of Parasites ==
Helminth parasites that infect humans are traditionally classified into two categories:
Helminth parasites that infect humans are traditionally classified into two categories:
* '''Heirlooms''': Parasites inherited from ancestors, particularly in Africa.
* '''Heirlooms''': Parasites inherited from ancestors, particularly in Africa.
* '''Souvenirs''': Parasites acquired through contact with animals during human evolution, migrations, and agricultural practices.
* '''Souvenirs''': Parasites acquired through contact with animals during human evolution, migrations, and agricultural practices.
== '''Epidemiology''' ==
== '''Epidemiology''' ==
Helminthiasis is prevalent worldwide, with higher incidence rates in regions with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
Helminthiasis is prevalent worldwide, with higher incidence rates in regions with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
In developing countries, the most common infectious agents of humans are these helminthic infections. More than a quarter of the world's population, that means approximately 2 billion people are affected by the helminthic parasite, and it is one of the major burdens of developing countries, especially in children.
In developing countries, the most common infectious agents of humans are these helminthic infections. More than a quarter of the world's population, that means approximately 2 billion people are affected by the helminthic parasite, and it is one of the major burdens of developing countries, especially in children.
== Symptoms and Diagnosis ==
== Symptoms and Diagnosis ==
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Symptoms of helminthiasis vary depending on the type of worm and include:
Symptoms of helminthiasis vary depending on the type of worm and include:
* Abdominal pain
* Abdominal pain
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* In severe cases, organ damage
* In severe cases, organ damage
Diagnosis often involves stool tests, blood tests, and imaging for the detection of worms.
Diagnosis often involves stool tests, blood tests, and imaging for the detection of worms.
== Treatment and Prevention ==
== Treatment and Prevention ==
Treatment typically involves anthelmintic medications. Prevention strategies include:
Treatment typically involves anthelmintic medications. Prevention strategies include:
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* Adequate cooking of food
* Adequate cooking of food
* Preventative public health measures in high-risk areas
* Preventative public health measures in high-risk areas
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections World Health Organization - Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections]
* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections World Health Organization - Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections]
* [https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sth/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Soil-Transmitted Helminths]
* [https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sth/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Soil-Transmitted Helminths]
[[Category:Parasitic Diseases]]
[[Category:Parasitic Diseases]]
[[Category:Infectious Diseases]]
[[Category:Infectious Diseases]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
{{rarediseases}}
{{rarediseases}}
{{stub}}
{{stub}}

Revision as of 04:12, 7 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Helminthiasis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss
Complications Malnutrition, anemia, intestinal obstruction
Onset Varies depending on the type of helminth
Duration Can be chronic if untreated
Types N/A
Causes Infection by parasitic helminths such as roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes
Risks Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, living in endemic areas
Diagnosis Stool examination, blood tests, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention Improved sanitation, health education, regular deworming
Treatment Anthelmintic medications such as albendazole, mebendazole, praziquantel
Medication N/A
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide
Deaths N/A


Helminthiasis

Microscopic view of helminths, parasitic worms causing helminthiasis.

Helminthiasis refers to a medical condition caused by infection with helminths, commonly known as parasitic worms. These infections primarily affect the intestinal system but can also impact other bodily organs.

Etymology

The term "helminths" is derived from the Greek word meaning "worm."

Classification of Parasites

Helminth parasites that infect humans are traditionally classified into two categories:

  • Heirlooms: Parasites inherited from ancestors, particularly in Africa.
  • Souvenirs: Parasites acquired through contact with animals during human evolution, migrations, and agricultural practices.

Epidemiology

Helminthiasis is prevalent worldwide, with higher incidence rates in regions with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. In developing countries, the most common infectious agents of humans are these helminthic infections. More than a quarter of the world's population, that means approximately 2 billion people are affected by the helminthic parasite, and it is one of the major burdens of developing countries, especially in children.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of helminthiasis vary depending on the type of worm and include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Malnutrition and anemia
  • In severe cases, organ damage

Diagnosis often involves stool tests, blood tests, and imaging for the detection of worms.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment typically involves anthelmintic medications. Prevention strategies include:

  • Improved sanitation and hygiene
  • Adequate cooking of food
  • Preventative public health measures in high-risk areas

External Links

NIH genetic and rare disease info

Helminthiasis is a rare disease.


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