Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is infection with a parasitic worm, such as a roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm or fluke. Some remain in the intestine; others can affect the liver, lungs, nervous system or other tissues.
Key points
- Exposure history and the organs involved help identify the parasite; “deworming” is not one treatment for every species.
- Stool, blood or imaging tests may be needed, especially with persistent symptoms or suspected tissue infection.
- Antiparasitic medicines differ in coverage and can cause problems when particular larvae or cysts are present.
The listings cannot identify a worm species or safe treatment from symptoms alone; travel, food, soil and animal exposures guide assessment.
What symptoms warrant testing?
Possible features include persistent abdominal symptoms, anaemia, weight loss, an itchy rash, visible worm segments or abnormal liver tests. Many infections cause no early symptoms. A clinician chooses tests according to the suspected species because a routine stool test does not detect every infection.
How is treatment selected?
Albendazole treats several intestinal worms but is not universal. Tapeworm cysts, liver flukes and strongyloidiasis require distinct plans, and killing tissue parasites can provoke inflammation. Pregnancy, liver health and immune suppression also matter. See antiparasitics for class context.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain or swelling, repeated vomiting, vomiting or coughing worms, seizures, confusion, breathing difficulty, jaundice, black or bloody stool, or marked weakness with fainting.