Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What health problems can ascariasis cause?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
parasitic disease
Trypanosoma brucei in a blood smear (Giemsa-stained light photomicrograph).
While many individuals infected with ascariasis remain asymptomatic, the parasitic infection can lead to significant health complications, particularly in children.1
Potential Health Complications
- Nutritional and Developmental Issues: Heavy infestations can result in malnutrition and growth stunting.1
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Patients may experience abdominal discomfort or severe pain, which can be a sign of a heavy worm burden. In severe cases, the worms can cause intestinal obstruction.1
- Respiratory Symptoms: During the migration phase, larvae traveling through the lungs can trigger host sensitization, leading to inflammation and fluid retention. This may manifest as a cough or fever.1
- General Indicators: The presence of a live worm in the feces is sometimes the first clinical sign of the infection.1
It is essential to address these infections promptly through anthelmintic drugs to prevent the severe outcomes associated with heavy infestations, which contribute to approximately 20,000 deaths annually worldwide.12