An extraordinary variety of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and organisms stand ready to attack us and feed off our bodies' cells. Using microscopes of varying power, photographersshow us a teeming microbial world that we could barely imagine without their help.

Sep 10, 2017 Parasites In Human Stool – Having a parasite can be a terrifying idea. However, you are not alone– you would certainly be shocked at just how usually intestinal bloodsuckers are responsible for recurring health concerns, from digestion symptoms, to sleeplessness, to skin concerns, as well as a lot more. The adult parasite or its eggs are shed in the stool of humans or animals. This can then contaminate water sources suahc as rivers and lakes as is the case with open sewage or poor water treatment practices. Drinking, bathing or irrigating crops with this contaminated water then allows the parasites to enter the body. Diatoms do not specifically resemble any parasites of humans, but their size and shape and apparent structure may cause the microscopist to take notice. Figure B: Unknown objects in a formalin-concentrated stool specimen.

The approximate sizes of microbes can be approximated by using the following rule of thumb:

• VIRUSES are the smallest of all infectious agents, averaging about 100 nanometers (100 billionths of a meter) in length. They have so few genes and proteins of their own that in order to reproduce they need to commandeer the machinery of the cells they invade.


• BACTERIA vary widely in size and shape, but tend to be at least 10 times larger than viruses, or at least 1 micrometer (1 millionth of a meter) long. They are single-cell organisms that reproduce independently.


• SINGLE-CELL ORGANISMS tend to be at least 10 times larger than bacteria, orabout .01 millimeter long.


• MULTI CELLULAR ORGANISMS are so large they can usually be seen with the naked eye. Tapeworms, for instance, can reach a length of 6 meters (20 feet).

Food and water are the most common sources of parasite and invading organism transmission. Since most of us eat three times a day and drink water frequently throughout the day, our exposure to these sources is constant. Tap water has been found to be contaminated with harmful organisms. Both plant and animal foods carry parasites, and cleaning and cooking methods often do not often destroy them before ingestion. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) cites food as the catalyst behind 80 percent of the pathogenic outbreaks in the U.S. Most are linked to restaurants and delis where less than sanitary conditions exist -- from food preparation and storage to the utensils and servers' hands.

Animals, just like humans, can become infected with parasites and unhealthy organisms. Internally, contaminated water and food can spread the problem to our pets. Externally, animals become infected by organisms on their bodies, especially on their fur, because of exposure to infected animal wastes. Forgetting to wash your hands even one time after handling or cleaning up after your animal can transmit the parasite to you. Pets are a wonderful part of our lives. They provide comfort, companionship, protection, amusement, and unconditional love for their owners. Yet, pets, like humans, are often victims of serious infections that can unintentionally be passed on to their owners. In fact, there is a whole set of diseases classified as 'zoonoses' (animal-transmitted diseases) in parasitology textbooks. Animals are major carriers of harmful organisms, and most physicians, let alone the general public, are seemingly unaware of this fact. Experts have projected that of the 110 million pet dogs and cats in this country, over half may be infected with at least one or more different kinds of harmful organisms. Considering these numbers, the potential for transmission of parasitical invading organism infection from animals to humans is extremely high. Making a parasite cleanse an essential part of an effective health maintenance program for both people and animals alike.

The CDC estimates that the number of parasites present in the United States alone number in the thousands. These harmful organisms are biochemically complex creatures in their life histories, development, reproductive cycles, nutritional requirements, and manifestation. They are categorized according to structure, shape, function, and reproductive ability. These include microscopic organisms (protozoa); roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, and hookworms (nematoda); tapeworms (cestoda); and flukes (trematoda).

PROTOZOA
Making up approximately 70 percent of all invading organisms, protozoa are invisible to the naked eye. They are one-celled microscopic organisms, but don't let theirsize fool you. Certain protoans, through their intensely rapid reproductive ability, can take over the intestinal tract of their host; and from there go onto other organs and tissues. Some feed on red blood cells. Some protozoa produce cysts - closed sacs in which they may be safely transported through food and water from one person to another. In the cyst state, protozoans are safe from destruction by human digestive juices. These one-celled 'vampires' can actually destroy the tissues of their hosts. According to experts, an estimated 7 million people across the U.S. have some form of protozoa living inside of them. Common protozoa include: Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidum parvum, Blastocystis hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Toxoplasma gondii, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium muris, Pneumocystis carinii, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, Leishmania tropica, and Leishmania braziliensis.

NEMATODE
While the protozoans are only single-celled, nematode creatures are multi cellular. The adult worms multiply by producing eggs called ova or larvae. The eggs usually become infectious in soil or in an intermediate host before humans are infected. It is interesting to note that unless the worm infection is heavy, many individuals do not show signs of infestation. While it may be unpleasant to consider, it is true that the human host can coexist quite comfortably with a few worms, unless they reproduce in great numbers and create organ obstruction. Experts claim that 'some type of worm is already in the intestines of over 75 percent of the world's population'. This is a frightening statement. Common nematode include: Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), Hookworm (Necator Americanus, Ancylostoma duodenal), Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), Roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati), Heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis), Strongyloides (Stronglyoides stercoralis), Trichinella (Trichinella spiralis), Filaria (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa, Mansonella streptocerca, Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi), and Anisakine larvae.

CESTODA
Among the oldest known parasites, tapeworms are considered humanity's largest intestinal inhabitant. They each have a scolex (head) that attaches to the intestinal wall. As long as the head remains attached to the intestinal mucosa, a new worm can grow from it. Tapeworms do not contain digestive tracts but get their nourishment by absorbing partially digested substances from the host. They are whitish in color, flat, and ribbon-like, with a covering that is a transparent skin-like layer. Common cestoda include: Beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata), Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), Fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum), and Dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum).

TREMATODE
Trematode are leaf-shaped flatworms also known as flukes. They are parasitic during nearly all of their life-cycle forms. The cycle begins when larvae are released into freshwater by infected snails. The free-swimming larvae can then directly penetrate the skin of the human host or are ingested after encysting in or on various edible, vegetation, fish, or crustaceans.Common trematode include: Intestinal fluke (Fasciolopsis buski), Blood fluke (Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni) Schistosoma haematobium), Liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis), Oriental lung fluke (Paragonimus westermani), and Sheep liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica).

What Does Parasites Look Like In Human Stool

Pinworm Parasites (Enterobius vermmicularis)
The most common of all the worms in the United States, the pinworm is most prevalent in children. Transmission occurs through contaminatedfood, water, and hust dust - as well as human-to-human contact. The adult female pinworm moves outside the anus to lay eggs. Children can easily transmitthe worms to the entire family through the bathtub, toilet seat, and bedclothes. Perianal itching is the most classic pinworm symptom. But these little quarter-inch mobile wormsthat resemble threads have been connected to an enormous range of neurological and behavioral symptoms. In a ten-year study of over 2000 casesof children with pinworms, it was documented seemingly unrelated symptoms which had previously not been associated with this parasitic infection.

Roundworm Parasites (Ascaris lumbricoides)
Another most common intestinal parasite in the world is the large roundworm known as Ascaris lumbricoides. Approximately 1 billion people areinfected with ascaris. The worm resembles the common earthworm in appearance and is spread directly to humans from soil or contaminated food.Once the worms develop in the human system, they can pass through the liver and lungs, where theycreate severe tissue irritation and allergic reactions. Adult worms can travel through the body and end up almost anywhere, including the liver, heart and lungs. They can also create intestinal obstruction when present in large enough numbers. Symptoms can include nervousness, colic, poor appetite, fatigue, allergic reactions,coughing, wheezing, and a number of other reactions. Food cravings and malnutrition in children is characteristic of heavy ascaris infections because the worms compete with the human host for food. Ascaris inhibits absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat-soluable vitamins.

Hookworm Parasites (Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenal)
Hookworm larvae are found in warm, moist soil. They can enter the body by directly penetrating the skin. Hookworms travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, intothe alveoli, and up the trachea to the throat - where they are swallowed and end up in their desired habitat, the small intestines. When the larvae passthrough the lungs, bronchitis may sometimes develop. The teeth-like hooks of the larvae attach to the intestinal mucosa and rob the body of largeamounts of blood. Found worldwide, hookworms are very prevelant in a wide variety of geographical locations and toplogies.Common symptoms may include itchiness, nausea, dizziness, pneumonitis, anorexia, weight-loss, weight-gain, and anemia. A single worms can live up to 15 years in the human body.

Trichinella Parasites (Trichinella spiralis)
Just about any symptom known to man can be caused by the various stages of trichinosis infection, which can masquerade as at least fifty more familiar diseases ranging from flu to generalized and specific aches and pains. Most roundworms are transmitted through contaminated soils, but the small spiral-shaped trichinella found in pork is the exception. These tiny roundworms can become enclosed in a cyst inside the musclesof pigs. If pork is eaten and not thoroughly cooked, the cysts are dissolved by the human host's digestive juices, and the worms mature and travelto the muscles, where they become encased. Eventually the worms can burrow throughout the entire body.

Beef Tapeworm Parasites (Taenia saginata)
Beef tapeworm can be ingested from raw or undercooked beef (rare or medium rare). Despite its size, several feet long, the beef tapeworm does not produce severe symptoms in its human host - but still performs a negative function in the body. It is composed of 1000 to 2000 segment strands, known as proglottid, which contains both male and female reproductive organs. Tapeworms thrive on the diet of the host for their carbohydrates, but utilize the tissues of the host for proteins.Beef tapeworms have a life span in the intestine of twenty to twenty-five years. Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdmoninal cramping, nervousness, nausea, loss of appetite,and/or food cravings are possible.

Pork Tapeworm Parasites (Taenia solium)
Pork tapeworm is similar to beef tapeworm but is shorter, with less than 1000 ploglottids. Pork tapeworm infects man through the eating of infested undercooked pork such as fresh or smoked ham or sausage. Unlike the beef tapeworm, pork tapeworm infection is usually caused by multiple worms rather than just one. The larva stage develops in the muscle, spreads through the central nervous system into other tissues and organs, and finally hooks onto the upper small intestine. Pork tapeworm causes great harm to the human host when the immature larvae invades the muscle, heart, eyes, or brain. The larval migration of pork tapeworm represents the most dangerous infection of all the tapeworms. In the brain, the worms can create a condition known as cysticercosis, which can produce seizures and brain deterioration.

Fish Tapeworm Parasites (Diphyllobothrium latum)
The largest parasite found in humans, a fish tapeworm has up to 4000 proglottids (the worm's primary body). It can be contracted by eating raw or lightly cooked freshwater or certain migratory species of fish, such as Alaskan salmon, perch, pike, pickerel, and turbot. In the human intestine, a fish tapeworm can consume 80 to 100 percent of the host's vitamin B12. A vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia is a most debilitating effect.Digestive disturbances - including pain, fullness in the upper abdomen, and nausea - are common symptoms.

Liver Fluke Parasites (Clonorchis sinensis)
The liver fluke is transmitted through the ingestion of raw, dried, salted, pickled, or undercooked fish. Snails, carp, and over 40 additionalspecies of fish have been known to be intermediate hosts to this fluke. In the human, it inhabits the bile ducts of the liver, causing the liverto become enlarged and tender. It can also cause inflammation, chills, fever, jaundice, and a type of hepatitis.

Blood Fluke Parasites (Schistosoma mansoni)
Freshwater snails play intermediate host in the life cycle development of the blood fluke. The snails release larvae into water, where the larvaecan directly penetrate the skin of humans or fish in contaminated rivers or streams. The parasite burrows into the skin and is carried through thebloodstream to the veins of the liver, intestines, or bladder. Inflammation can occur when the worms lodge in the lining of the intestine or liver. Additionally, the bladder and urinary tract can become infected by worms lodged in the walls of the bladder.

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Black worms in stool is definitely a cause for concern as it can lead to many problems in the affected person ranging from mal-absorption of nutrients to severe conditions like the obstruction of the gut and allergies in rare cases.

Black worms in stool are most commonly seen in young kids as they tend to play with mud and dirt through which the worms can be contracted. But, sometimes such worms can also be seen in adults when they consumed unhygienic or improperly cooked or washed food. Let us discuss further the causes, symptoms and treatments available for the Black worms in stool.

Contents

• 0.1 Black worms in stool Causes:
• 0.2 Black worms in stool Symptoms:
• 0.3 Black worms in stool Treatment and Prevention:

Black worms in stool Causes:

There are many types of worms like Hookworms, Roundworms, Pinworms, Whipworms, Tapeworms, etc. which can infest our body and cause symptoms. Black worms in stool are caused due to many reasons, the main being unhygienic practices. Let us explore them further.

Infected food and water ingestion:

If you ingest food or water contaminated with the worms, then you can have Black worms in stool. This might happen when you ear improperly cooked food, improperly washed raw food of fruits and vegetables.

Worm infested food handler:

The food and water can get contaminated with worms when a person infested with worms handles the worms without proper precautions like washing the hands after using the toilet, wearing gloves, etc. When you eat such contaminated food, you too will have worms in your gut which can pass out as Black worms in stool.

Walking without footwear on the ground:

If you ever happen to walk on the ground barefoot without wearing footwear, you might contract the worms from the soil, for example, hookworm.

Eating food from roadside:

It is advisable not to eat food from the roadside stalls which don’t maintain hygiene as this is one of the most common reasons for having worms in your body and then passing them out as Black worms in stool.

Living in an unhygienic environment:

Living in an unhygienic environment or not keeping your surroundings clean will make it a breeding ground for many worms, germs, etc. making you susceptible to contract them.

Insect bites:

There are many insects which can transfer worms from one infected person to another. For example, a Mosquito bite can transmit filarial worm from the blood of one person to another.

Black worms in stool Symptoms:

Microscopic Photos Of Parasites In Human Stool

There are many different of having worms in your body depending on the type of worm you are infected with. Some of the symptoms are:

Weight loss:

When there are many worms present in your body, they tend to feed on the nutrients that you consume for the well-being of yourself. This makes nutrition unavailable to you, making you develop weight loss.

Weakness:

When you don’t have adequate nutrition due to the worms stealing your nutrition, you are prone to develop various nutritional deficiencies leading to weight loss.

Itching at anus:

If you have worms, you will experience continuous itching at your anus or pruritus ani. This becomes very embarrassing when you are outside the home.

Iron deficiency anaemia:

Some worms like hookworm in particular cause Iron deficiency anaemia. This makes you feel very weak, lethargic, etc.

Abdominal pain:

As the worms are present in the abdomen or gut, they cause abdominal pain, which is severe at times.

Diarrhoea:

They can cause bowel abnormalities like diarrhoea due to malabsorption of the food or nutrients.

Irritation:

When we are having so many physical symptoms like diarrhoea, weakness, abdominal pain, etc., a person is irritated a lot and won’t be able to perform his daily activities properly.

Black worms in stool Treatment and Prevention:

There are many remedies and treatments which are available to get rid of the Black worms in stool, and also to prevent contracting them in the first place. They are:

Using only packaged food:

When you are outside the home or travelling outside, eat only packaged food or food from good restaurants. Don’t eat food anywhere on roads.

Avoiding Roadside food:

Many roadside food stalls have unhygienic food practices as the food vendors don’t wash the hands properly, flies keep flying over the food, etc. Avoid such places to eat at all costs.

Drinking Bottled water:

Improperly boiled water or unclean water causes man6y diseases ranging from worms causing Black worms in stool to many o5ther diseases like Cholera, Typhoid, Jaundice, etc. So, drink only bottled water when outside.

Thoroughly washing Raw vegetables:

The skin of the Raw vegetables can also have many germs and worms. So, thoroughly wash them before consuming. Soak them for ½ hour in salt water before washing them and eating.

Cooking food properly:

Improperly cooked food doesn’t kill the germs and worms. So, make sure to cook food properly without fail.

Taking Anti-helminthic drugs:

Anti-helminthic drugs can help to get rid of the worms in the body by killing them. This prevents having Black worms in stool. There are various Anti-helminthic drugs available like Mebendazole, Albendazole, etc.

Surgery:

Photos Of Parasites In Human Stool

If there are big worms in your body causing intestinal obstruction, then you will have to get the surgery done to get rid of the worms.

Taking Garlic:

What Does A Parasite Look Like In Stool

Garlic contains a compound called sulphur which facilitates the getting rid of the worms in the body, and it also enhances our immunity. So, its good to include raw garlic in our diet.

Keeping surroundings clean:

An unhygienic environment is a contributing factor for developing many health ailments including worms in the body leading to Black worms in stool. So, keep your environment clean and hygienic.

Not walking without footwear:

Don’t walk barefooted in the soil to avoid getting worms like Hookworms into your body. Always wear footwear when walking on the soil.

Making kids wash hands after playing:

Kids are very naughty and play with dirt, dust, etc. So, always ensure to get them to wash their hands and feet after playing to avoid contracting worms and germs.

You have seen all the possible causes, symptoms and Treatments of Black worms in stool. I hope you find this article informative. Take all the above precautions to stay safe and healthy.