What causes roundworms?
Each type of roundworm has different causes, as well as different symptoms.
What are the causes and symptoms of roundworm infection of your intestines (ascariasis)?
This type of roundworm spreads through poor hygiene. It often lives in human feces (poop). People catch it through hand-to-mouth contact.
If you have a roundworm infection of your intestines (ascariasis), you may not have symptoms. You may see live worms in your poop though. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Cough.
- Disturbed sleep.
- Fever.
- Restlessness.
- Severe abdominal (stomach) pain.
- Vomiting
- Wheezing.
- Malnutrition.
- Growth delay.
What are the causes and symptoms of hookworm?
People get hookworm by walking barefoot on dirt mixed with infected poop.
People may not notice symptoms if their health is otherwise good. If someone does have symptoms, the signs may include:
- Anemia, when you don’t have enough red blood cells, making you feel tired and weak.
- Colic, a lot of crying and fussiness in an otherwise healthy baby.
- Diarrhea.
- Mild abdominal pain and intestinal cramps.
- Nausea.
What are the causes and symptoms of pinworm?
Pinworm is the most common roundworm infection in the United States. It most often occurs in children and can spread easily in school or daycare. The infection starts when eggs enter the mouth and travel to the intestines. The eggs hatch and develop into adult pinworms.
A female pinworm then lays her eggs in and around the anus (opening of the buttocks). Without realizing it, people touch the eggs with their fingers. For example, a small child might touch or scratch their bottom or not wash hands after using the bathroom. Parents may not wash their hands properly after changing a diaper of a child with pinworms.
After touching an infected area, people may put their fingers in or near their mouths or touch surfaces. Pinworm eggs can attach to bedding, clothing, toys, doorknobs, furniture and faucets for up to two weeks.
Those with pinworm infections may experience mild symptoms or none at all. The most common symptom is itching around the anus or vagin*. The itching can become intense after a pinworm lays eggs.
What are the causes and symptoms of strongyloidiasis?
This type of roundworm mainly lives in tropical and subtropical areas, where it’s warm year-round. But it can also live in other regions during warmer seasons. People get infected by touching contaminated soil. Strongyloidiasis enters through the skin and travels to the intestines.
Some people may experience mild symptoms or none at all. If you have a moderate infection, you may feel:
- Burning in the abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Rounds of diarrhea and constipation.
Severe strongyloidiasis infections may cause:
- Anemia.
- Chronic (long-lasting) diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
What are the causes and symptoms of trichinellosis?
Trichinellosis is different than other roundworm infections. It’s not an intestinal infection. It affects your muscles. People get it through eating undercooked meat, especially sausage, pork, horse, walrus and bear meat.
Some people may experience mild symptoms or none at all. But you may feel tired or get stomach symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps.
When trichinosis enters the muscles, you may get:
- Eye infection and rashes.
- High fever.
- Muscle pain and aches.
- Swelling in the eyes and face.
What are the causes and symptoms of whipworm?
You get whipworm by:
- Touching it with your hands.
- Eating food that has whipworms on it.
- Eating food that was grown in soil with whipworms.
There are usually no symptoms with whipworm. However, if you have a severe infection, you may experience:
- Blood in your poop.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach pains that come and go.
- Weight loss.
- Anemia.
