PA R A S I T I C

W O R M S

B Y: G R O U P 4 & 7
 Introduction
• Parasitic worms (helminths), such as soil-transmitted helminths and
schistosomes, were so common in the 1940s that Norman W. Stoll coined
the term “this wormy world”.

• Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large macroparasites; adults

can generally be seen with the naked eye.

• A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from
or at the expense of its host. Parasites can cause disease in humans.

• Parasites are organisms that live in or feed off a living host like humans to survive.
They invade a person’s body as part of their lifecycle and move out to find a new host.
This may progress to an infectious disease if it gets worse. 2
* Parasitic worms live in and feed in living hosts. They receive nourishment
and protection while disrupting their hosts' ability to absorb nutrients. This can
cause weakness and disease in the host and poses a global health and economic
problem. Parasitic worms cannot reproduce entirely within their host's body;
they have a life cycle that includes some stages that need to take place outside of
the host. Helminths are able to survive in their mammalian hosts for many years
due to their ability to manipulate the host's immune response by secreting
immunomodulatory products. All parasitic worms produce eggs during
reproduction. These eggs have a strong shell that protects them against a range
of environmental conditions. The eggs can therefore survive in the environment
for many months or years.

Parasitic Worm 3
 Common Parasitic Worms:
Pinworms (Enterobius
vermicularis)
Ta p e w o r m s ( Ta e n i a
solium)
Roundworms (Ascaris
lumbricoides)
Wuchereria bancrofti
Scientific findings
R o u n d w o r m s ( Tr i c h i n e l l a )
Flatworms (Fasciola
hepatica)
W h i p w o r m ( Tr i c h u r i s
trichiura)
Hookworms Necator
americanus and
Ancylostoma duodenale)
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Pinworms (Enterobius
Symptoms
vermicularis): Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides):
•Cough.
▪ If it is a severe infection, •Disturbed sleep.
symptoms may include;
nervousness. restlessness. loss •Fever.
of appetite. weight loss. girls may •Restlessness.
experience vaginal itching and •Severe abdominal (stomach) pain.
irritation (vaginitis), if pinworms •Vomiting
are near the vagina.
•Wheezing.
▪ Itching around the anal area, •Malnutrition.
difficulty sleeping and irritability.
•Growth delay.
Tapeworms (Taenia Wuchereria bancrofti:
solium): •Fever.
•Upset stomach, or feeling •Inguinal or axillary lymphadenopathy.
like you could throw up. •Testicular and/or inguinal pain.
•Stomachache or stomach •Weight loss. •Skin exfoliation.
pain. •Gas.
•Limb or genital swelling - Repeated episodes of
•Not wanting to eat. inflammation and lymphedema lead to lymphatic
•Hunger pains.
damage, chronic swelling, and elephantiasis of the
•Loose stools. •Cravings for salty food. legs, arms, scrotum, vulva, and breasts.
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•Diarrhea.
TRICHINOSIS:
Initial signs and symptoms
•Diarrhea
•Stomach (abdominal) pain
•Severe tiredness and
weakness (fatigue)
•Nausea and vomiting

Later signs and symptoms

•High fever and chills
•Muscle pain and tenderness
•Aching joints
•Swelling of the eyelids or face
•Weakness
•Headache
•Sensitivity to light
•Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
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•Itchy, irritated skin