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Intestinal parasites

Also listed as: Parasitic infection - intestinal


There are two main types of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths are worms with many cells. Tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms are among the most common helminths in the United States. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoa have only one cell, and can multiply inside the human body. In the U.S., the most common protozoa are giardia and cryptosporidium.


Signs and Symptoms

Parasites can live within the intestines for years without causing any symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following.


What Causes It?

The following factors put you at higher risk for getting intestinal parasites:


What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will ask if you have traveled overseas recently and whether you have recently lost weight. If your health care provider thinks you have an intestinal parasite, you will probably have one or more of the following tests:


Treatment Options

Drug Therapies

Your health care provider will choose the drug that has the most effect against your intestinal parasite. Drug treatment may be just one dose or several over a period of weeks. Be careful to take the medicine exactly as it is prescribed, or it may not work.

Some examples of drug therapy include:

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Generally, conventional medical treatments can eliminate parasites more quickly and with fewer side effects than most alternative treatments. Alternative treatments may be helpful as supportive therapies. However, your health care provider must find out what kind of organism is causing your problems before you start treatment. The following nutritional guidelines will help keep organisms from growing. It is important to maintain good bowel habits during treatment.

Nutrition and Supplements

Herbs

As with any therapy, it is important to work with your health care provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). People with a history of alcoholism should not take tinctures.

Many of the herbs used to treat intestinal parasites have toxic side effects. Use them only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Your health care provider will treat you with the most gentle herb that is effective for the type of parasite you have. A few of the herbs that your health care provider might consider include:

Homeopathy

As with other treatments, your health care provider must first diagnose the kind of parasite you have. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors as well as any current symptoms when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. The following remedies may be used:

Acupuncture

Can help general bowel health and increase immune function.

Massage

May help stimulate bowel function and elimination.


Following Up

Your health care provider will retest your stool to be sure your parasite is gone, and will give you advice to help you avoid reinfection. Follow these instructions carefully. Getting a parasite a second time can cause more serious health problems.


Special Considerations

The seriousness and length of illness varies with the specific intestinal parasite. Complications occur more often in older people and in people who already have serious illnesses, such as AIDS.

Intestinal parasites can be more serious if you are pregnant. Your health care provider will tell you which drugs are safe to take during pregnancy. Treatment for intestinal parasites during pregnancy should be closely monitored by a qualified practitioner.


Supporting Research

Carr AC, Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr . 1999;69(6):1086-1107.

Choudhry VP, Sabir M, Bhide VN. Berberine in giardiasis. Indian Pediatr . 1972;9:143-6.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Johnston CS. Recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA. 1999;282(22):2118-2119.

Jonas WB, Jacobs J. Healing with Homeopathy: The Doctors' Guide. New York, NY: Warner Books; 1996: 218-220.

Levine M, Rumsey SC, Daruwala R, Park JB, Wang Y. Criteria and recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA. 1999;281(15):1415-1453.

Mirelman D, Monheit D, Varon S. Inhibition of growth of Entamoeba histolytica by allicin, the active principle of garlic extract (Allium sativum). J Infect Dis 1987;156:243-4.

Rakel RE, ed. Conn's Current Therapy . 50th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1998.

Ullman D. Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam; 1992: 75-77.

Ullman D. The Consumer's Guide to Homeopathy. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam; 1995: 243-245.


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