Ascaris
Lumbricoides & Ascariasis Information
and Prevention
Ascaris Lumbricoides (Large Intestinal
Roundworms) are common to the earthworm and range in length from
6-13 inches. The adults are large white, or pinkish-white. The males
are more slender than the females and the females can be as thick
as a pencil. Ascaris Lumbicoides causes a common infection called
Ascariasis, which there are 1500 million cases worldwide. The infection
occurs in both tropical and subtropical areas where sanitation and
hygiene are poor.
Symptoms of Ascariasis infection may include: abdominal pain, cough, intestine
blockages, and difficulty breathing. Ascaris Lumbicoides eggs are
transmitted by human feces, typically from hand to mouth, although,
some countries may use human feces as fertilizer. It is when a person
is heavily infected with a multitude of Ascaris Lumbicoides that
symptoms will begin to appear, and a multitude in the lungs can
cause Pneumonia.