Parasitic Worm Infection
1 medicine
Parasitic worm infections happen when helminths such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms take hold in the gut. A short course of an antiparasitic medicine, most often albendazole, clears most cases.
Key facts
- Parasitic worm infections occur when helminths (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, or pinworms) take up residence in the gut or other tissues. They are among the most common infections worldwide.
- Most worms enter the body through contaminated food, water, or soil; hookworms can also penetrate bare skin directly.
- Symptoms range from none at all in light infections to abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, and fatigue. Heavy or longstanding infections can cause anaemia and nutritional deficiency, particularly in children.
- Treatment is usually a short course of an antiparasitic medicine such as albendazole.
How worm infections spread
Most intestinal worms enter the body through contaminated food, water, or soil, often where sanitation is limited. Hookworms are unusual in that they can penetrate bare skin directly, typically through the feet. Once established, worms can live in the gut for months or years if untreated, and some species migrate through other tissues before settling.
Symptoms and who is affected
Many infections cause no symptoms at all, especially when the worm burden is light. When symptoms do appear, they typically include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, and general fatigue. Heavy or longstanding infections can lead to anaemia and nutritional deficiency, which hits children hardest because it can affect growth and development.
Treating a worm infection
Treatment typically involves a short course of an antiparasitic medicine. Albendazole is the most widely used option: it works against a broad range of worm species and is usually given as a single dose or a short course of a few days. It works by starving the worms of the glucose they need to survive, causing them to die and be cleared from the gut.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen after treatment, if you notice worms in your stool, if abdominal pain is severe, or if you have unexplained weight loss. Children with signs of anaemia or poor growth should also be assessed, since heavy infections can affect nutrition over time even without dramatic symptoms.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.