IF the thought of having worms inside you makes you squirm, it’s time to follow some simple rules.
That’s because roundworms, tapeworms, and parasitic worms are lurking in places you least expect – and every day mistakes could be putting you at risk. So, are you guilty?
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We recently heard of a child in Bali being riddled with roundworms blocking his digestive tract.
And an American doctor shared an “insane” X-ray of a patient infested with tapeworm eggs after eating uncooked bacon.
But the truth is, the UK is not immune from infections of this nature.
A parasitic worm is defined as a multi-cellular organism that lives in and feeds in living hosts.
The two most common ones in the UK are threadworms and roundworms.
Threadworms, or pinworms, are tiny, white worms often seen in children.
They’re considered the most common in the UK due to easy person-to-person spread.
Roundworms are more common in tropical and subtropical areas with poor sanitation, but can still occur in the UK – especially in travellers or migrants from affected regions.
Hookworms are usually picked up by walking barefoot on contaminated soil, particularly in warm, humid climates.
Tapeworms come from eating undercooked meat or fish.
In a case published back in 2019, doctors were left stunned when they examined a scan of a patient’s brain and chest and spotted more than 700 worms.
The man, who was 43 at the time, was believed to have ingested eggs of the parasite Taenia solium — better known as the ‘pork tapeworm’ — which then hatched.
Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef or pork.
And whipworms are spread through ingesting eggs from contaminated soil, often in areas with poor sanitation.
Dr Angad Dhillon, a consultant gastroenterologist, is an expert when it comes to all things worms.
He highlighted five things that could be putting you at risk – one of which involves a common fruit and veg mistake.
The 5 ‘mistakes’ putting you at risk…
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- Not washing your hands properly after using the toilet or changing nappies.
- Scratching your anal area (common with threadworms) and then touching surfaces or food without washing hands.
- Walking barefoot in areas where the soil might be contaminated (a risk for hookworms, more common abroad).
- Eating undercooked meat or fish (a risk for tapeworms) or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
- Not treating everyone in the household at the same time, leading to re-infection.
The main ways people get parasitic worms, said Dr Dhillon, include swallowing microscopic eggs, often through hand-to-mouth contact – for example, touching contaminated surfaces or scratching the anal area.
“Also, walking barefoot on soil contaminated with worm larvae (hookworms),” he added.
“You cannot easily see hookworm larvae in soil with the naked eye as they’re microscopic organisms.
“Inhaling dust that contains worm eggs is another way people get parasitic worms – for example, when you shake contaminated bedding.”
While the thought of having a worm infection is enough to make anyone’s stomach churn, infections can usually be easily treated.
Dr Dhillon advised: “Mild cases of threadworms may eventually clear up, but because re-infection is common, treatment is usually needed.
“Dr Dhillon added: “Roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites rarely go away without medication and can cause long-term health issues if left untreated.
“It’s always best to seek treatment to avoid spreading the infection and to prevent complications.”
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How to spot if you have worms
Some of the signs of a worm infection may be more obvious than others.
Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, of Chemist Click, warned: “Worm infections typically cause few symptoms and sometimes none at all.
“The symptoms are also similar to other health conditions which can mean the worms can easily go unnoticed.
“They are only seen in faeces sometimes and this may not always be obvious.”
He listed four signs to look out for:
- Small white worms in your poo which can look like pieces of thread
- Itching around your anus especially at night time or a red, itchy worm-shaped rash on your skin
- Being sick or having diarrhoea or a stomach ache for more than two weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
If you suspect you have worms, you should first consult with a pharmacist.
They can help you determine if over-the-counter medication like mebendazole or pyrantel is appropriate for threadworms.
If the pharmacist cannot help, or if you suspect other types of worms, it’s crucial to see a GP.
Your GP can examine you, identify the type of worm, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
The best ways to get rid of worms
Dr Angad Dhillon, consultant gastroenterologist, recommended the most effective ways to get rid of unwanted parasites…
Medication: A single dose of mebendazole (available over the counter) is usually enough to treat threadworms. For other worms, your doctor may prescribe specific medications such as albendazole or praziquantel.
Hygiene measures: Wash hands thoroughly, shower daily, and wash bedding, clothes, and towels in hot water. Keep nails short and avoid scratching the anal area to prevent re-infection.
Treat the whole household: Everyone in the home should be treated at the same time to stop the worms from spreading.
Long-term prevention: Regular hand washing, cooking meat thoroughly, and discouraging habits like nail-biting or thumb-sucking in children can reduce future infections.
The NHS website also provides detailed guidance on treating worm infections.
Most common treatments for threadworms are available over the counter at UK pharmacies without prescription.
Your GP can refer more complex cases to specialists if needed.