Intestinal parasites are unwanted organisms that can enter your digestive system without warning. Once inside the gut, they may cause digestive discomfort and other unpleasant symptoms. Some parasites in the colon arrive due to many other causes besides poor hygiene or contaminated food. Self-diagnosing a colon parasite infection can be misleading. If a parasitic infection is suspected, proper testing and medical treatment are important.
Do good hygiene, safe food practices, adequate hydration, and a nutritious diet help prevent such an infection? Let’s understand what causes a parasitic infection and what can be done to stay away from one.
Also Read: Filariasis: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
5 Reasons That Cause Intestinal Parasites
Contaminated Food And Water
An unhygienic environment and unclean food ingredient is a reason that parasite eggs, cysts, or larvae attack your body. Poorly washed fruits and vegetables, contaminated drinking water, and unhygienically handled or prepared food can increase the risk of exposure to intestinal parasites.
Poor Hand Hygiene
Parasite eggs thrive on unclean surfaces; thus, they can come through unwashed or contaminated hands, especially after using the toilet. Touching the mouth without washing hands can allow these organisms to enter the digestive tract and cause a parasitic infection.
Undercooked Meat
Some intestinal parasite infections can result from eating raw or inadequately cooked meat, particularly seafood. Proper cooking is essential because sufficiently high temperatures significantly lower the risk of foodborne parasitic infections.
Contact With Contaminated Surfaces
Parasites can spread when people touch contaminated toilets, bedding, towels, and other household surfaces and subsequently touch their mouths. This is particularly relevant for highly contagious intestinal parasites, such as pinworms.
Contact With Infected People
Close contact with someone carrying certain intestinal parasites (even animals) can facilitate transmission, depending on the organism and the environment. Certain intestinal parasites can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated soil or animal faeces.
Also Read: Global Handwashing Day 2019: The Importance Of Sanitizing For Healthier Living
5 Ways To Get Rid Of Intestinal Parasites
To get rid of intestinal parasites, the simplest way is to support digestive health, manage infection safely, and reduce the risk of reinfection through proper hygiene, treatment, and healthy habits. Here is what you can do:
Get Proper Testing
To get rid of intestinal parasites is to identify the specific infection. Different parasites require different medicines, doses, and treatment durations, so avoid taking deworming medication randomly. The first thing is to get yourself tested for the specific cause of infection.
Maintain Strict Hand Hygiene
Before preparing or eating food, and after handling potentially contaminated items, clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water. After using the toilet do this more diligently. Also try to keep your fingernails short or clean them properly.
Practise Safe Food And Water Habits
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables properly to stay away from intestinal parasite infections, and do not compromise on water quality. Unclean water is home to parasites, so drink treated water. To prevent cross-contamination, let raw foods be separate from ready-to-eat foods.
Keep Your Home And Personal Items Clean
Regularly clean toilets, bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces, and household areas. Wash towels, bedding, and clothing regularly, particularly when pinworm infection is suspected. Good household hygiene can help reduce exposure and lower the risk of parasite reinfection.
Maintain Your Digestive Health
A balanced diet rich in green vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, legumes, and adequate fluids can support healthy digestion and overall gut health. Also, some herbal preparations are often promoted as natural dewormers, but they may not eliminate intestinal parasites, so they should not replace medically proven antiparasitic treatment.
Conclusion
Intestinal parasites can be dangerous, with mild to severe to even no symptoms depending on the type of worm. When left untreated, deficiencies, weakness, or other health complications may arise. The most effective way to get them out of your system is to seek proper medical evaluation and follow the antiparasitic treatment recommended by a healthcare professional. If symptoms persist, worsen, or include significant weight loss, stomach issues, blood in the stool, or diarrhoea, consult a healthcare professional promptly.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24911-parasites
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8262/
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