Some worms cause few or no symptoms, but some can cause severe complications over time. Anyone who believes they may have an intestinal worm should contact a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis and prompt treatment. Effective treatment usually involves the use of medication.
What happens if intestinal worms go untreated?
Most people don't experience serious complications as a result of pinworm infections. In rare cases, if the infestation is left untreated, pinworm infections can lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.
Are intestinal worms life threatening?
At first, symptoms of intestinal worms may be mild or non-existent, but infections can lead to diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness, anaemia and nutritional problems. The disease can affect cognitive and physical development, and in severe cases can be fatal.
How long can you live with intestinal worms?
Tapeworms. You can get tapeworms from food or water that's contaminated with worms or eggs. If you swallow tapeworms, they'll grow up in your intestines. They can live in a person for 30 years.
Can worms damage you?
Indeed, many helminths, including the porcine tapeworm and the human hookworm, are known to cause disease and even death in the human population. Parasitic worms are still a big problem in some parts of the world.
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