So, you’re surfing the net and you come across of an image of a maggot wriggling out of a human nose or a picture of a breast with what appears to be larvae peeking out from inside the nipple. The first thing you should do is put the phone down. You don’t need to call your doctor at such a late hour, if at all. The next thing you should do is leave whatever website you’re on and move on to something else because chances are the image you’re looking at is a hoax or you’ve stumbled across an urban legend.
Websites will do anything to get traffic, even if it means scaring the pants off of unsuspecting surfers. True, humans can get worms, but extreme cases involving worms wriggling around eyeballs, exploding from a person’s head or escaping from the pores of an old woman are rare in developed countries. And, sensational cases are usually created by piecing together several unrelated medical cases and conditions to create a Weekly World News worthy story, in order to scare individuals into getting everything from unnecessary medical screenings to buying special lotions and medicines. So is there a way to tell fact from fiction when it comes to Internet images of worms in humans? Absolutely!
The vast majority of credible medical studies and stories will include an extensive list of verifiable sources. If the study or story includes images, each image will contain a verifiable credit as well. If you cannot verify a credit or a source, chances are the image is a hoax or nothing more than an urban legend. In some cases, the credit or source will take you to a real website that looks credible. Don’t stop there. Do some digging. Does the website have contact information? Do you get an answer when you call or a response back when you send an email? Can you find the company name online?
If the credits and sources link to a credible source like the University of Chicago Hospital, there will be solid evidence of the study, verifiable images, and contact information, To verify the study, story and/or the images, simply call or email the contact.
In addition to including verifiable sources, real images and cases do not typically resort to cartoon images and “photoshopped” images to add credibility. Fortunately, you can spot these types of images fairly easy. Click here to take a look at a few random “photoshopped” images. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about worms in humans.
The Truth About Worms in Humans
At any given time, the human body may be infected with dozens of different types of parasites, such as worms. Some parasites are microscopic while other worms in humans are quite visible to the naked eye. Certain types of parasites are found more often in animals, for example, the bloodworm typically infects horses. Other types of parasites may affect humans more often. In all, there are more than 3,200 types of parasites in existence today and they are divided into the following categories: Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, and Trematoda.
Just a few of the different types of parasites that may infect humans include: tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda).
The most common type of worm in humans is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that parasites rarely cause any serious (or fatal) complications in Europe and North America. No matter what type of worm the human body may be infected with, whether it’s a bloodworm that somehow made its way into the human digestive system (extremely rare) or a roundworm, the vast majority of parasites cause some of the same unpleasant symptoms. Symptoms of parasites or worms in humans may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal discomfort
- Rashes
- Insomnia
- Eye pain
- Protein deficiency
- Gas
- Constipation
- Mental dullness
- Fever
- Coughing
- Nervousness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Anemia
- Stomach bloating
- Bloody stools
- Weakness
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms are also common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis. A physician will test for parasites by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of parasites can be eliminated by using some of the same methods or by ingesting some of the same types of medications or antibiotics.
Parasites can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by a physician, and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies. It’s best to consult an herbalist for the very best herbal remedies to get rid of worms in humans. That said, there are several popular (and effective) remedies consisting of the following combinations of herbs and ingredients:
- Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
- Capsicum, wormwood, sage
- Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
- Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras
In general, herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks.
Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or to keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:
- Cranberry juice
- High-fiber foods
- Pumpkin seeds
- Garlic
- Pomegranates
- Apple cider vinegar
- Figs
- Bottled or distilled water
- Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
- Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly
Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:
- Undercooked meats
- Chestnuts
- Sugar
- Watercress
- Refined carbohydrates
- Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
- Using the microwave to cook meats
And finally, never underestimate the power of clean hands! You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom whether it is in your home or in a public place. In addition, wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.
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