If a child swallows a roundworm egg, it passes down into the intestine and hatches into a baby worm (larva). Larvae can pass through the intestine wall into the bloodstream. They then travel through the lungs up into the throat. They are then swallowed again and return to the small intestine.
Can roundworm eggs hatch in humans?
You can accidentally ingest roundworm eggs by preparing food or touching soil that's contaminated. The eggs then hatch inside your body. For other roundworms, eggs may hide in the food people eat. And in some cases, larvae can enter the body directly through your skin.
What kills roundworm eggs?
Even harsh chemicals are unlikely to destroy roundworm eggs. Eggs can survive in soil in severe climates -- cold or heat -- for several months. The only thing known to kill them is extreme heat, such as from steam or fire.
What are the symptoms of roundworms in children?
Symptoms of roundworms in childrenWorms that resemble earthworms in a bowel movement.Worms coming out of the nose or mouth.Stomach pain.Coughing.Loss of appetite.Fever.Wheezing.Weight loss or failure to grow.Roundworm Infections - St. Louis Children's Hospital
Can my kids get roundworms?
Children become infected with this disease more often than adults. The illness often develops after a child puts his hands in his mouth after playing in soil contaminated by feces containing the roundworm eggs. Eating unwashed fruit or vegetables that were grown in contaminated soil can also cause ascariasis.
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