There are three types of intestinal fluke: Fasciolopsis buski, Paragonimus westermani, and Fasciola hepatica. They can cause disease and are mainly spread through water-grown vegetables. Medications can be used to remove them, but permanent damage can occur if they have spread beyond the intestines. In industrialized nations, they are rare, but infections can occur if infected food is transported there. Patients should inform their doctors if they have consumed certain foods before becoming ill.
There are three main types of intestinal fluke, which is a type of parasite that invades the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Fasciolopsis buski is the earliest species and often infects the intestines of humans and animals, such as pigs. It is the greatest fluke known to live in human hosts. Paragonimus westermani, or the eastern lung fluke is another type that is mostly found in Asian countries. The last of the most common types is Fasciola hepatica, also known as the sheep liver fluke.
While fasciolopsis buski is the variety most commonly known as an intestinal fluke, the other types can originate in the intestines before invading other areas of the body. Fasciolopsis buski can cause disease in hosts and can lead to ulcers, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, and other complications. It is the largest known intestinal fluke that invades the bodies of humans and is mainly spread through vegetables such as watercress and water chestnuts.
The sheep liver fluke is also spread through water-grown vegetables, although it is rarer than fasciolopsis buski and can cause more serious problems within the body. This type of intestinal fluke can eventually attach itself to the gallbladder and cause extreme inflammation and pain. Other symptoms include jaundice, fever, nausea and vomiting, and cough.
Paragonimus westermani starts as an intestinal fluke and eventually makes its way into the body and can infect the lungs and brain. Those infected with this type of parasite will eventually develop a severe cough and may start coughing up blood. If the worm makes its way into the brain, serious neurological damage can occur.
Most types of intestinal flukes are rare in industrialized nations due to food sales and stricter sanitation practices. Some areas of Asia are prone to parasites, especially those who eat large quantities of water-grown vegetables and some types of shrimp or crab. Medications can often be used to kill and remove the parasites, although permanent damage can be done if they have spread beyond the intestines and into other organ systems.
Occasionally these rare worms can cause infections in industrialized countries if infected food is transported there. Symptoms may be vague at first, and doctors may not immediately suspect an intestinal fluke infestation because it occurs very rarely in these areas. Patients should inform their doctors if they have consumed watercress, water chestnuts, bamboo, crab or shrimp before becoming ill. This is especially important if the food hasn’t been cooked or may have been undercooked.
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