Worm infestation in the colon of a woman who habitually eats raw vegetables.

SKĐS - Patient VTN (57 years old, from Bac Ninh) came to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases with symptoms of digestive disorders, abdominal pain around the navel, and frequent diarrhea, along with a weight loss of about 2 kg.

The patient has a habit of eating raw vegetables and undercooked or raw foods – high-risk factors leading to intestinal parasitic infections.

Following a clinical examination, the patient was scheduled for a colonoscopy. The medical team discovered numerous ivory-white worms, approximately 0.3–0.5 cm long, within the colon.

Image of whipworms parasitizing the patient's colon as seen through endoscopy. Photo: Hospital provided.

Through testing, experts determined that these were whipworms (parasitic in the colon), transmitted through ingestion when food or hands come into contact with soil containing worm eggs. The large number of worms indicates that the patient had been infected with the parasite for a long time without knowing it due to atypical symptoms.

Doctors determined this to be a severe case of intestinal worm infection, with a large number of worms living in the colon, which is quite rare in adults.

The doctors performed an endoscopy on the patient.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Tran Anh, a specialist in Fungi and Parasitology at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that whipworms are common worldwide , especially in areas with poor sanitation. Although usually seen in children, this case shows that adults are also at high risk.

Whipworms attach to the intestinal lining to suck blood and nutrients, causing damage and leading to serious health problems such as: abdominal pain, digestive disorders; fatigue, micronutrient deficiencies, anemia; malnutrition, impaired development (in children); rectal prolapse.

Measures to prevent worm infections:

Eat cooked food and drink boiled water: Limit consumption of raw vegetables if they are not thoroughly washed and soaked.

Personal hygiene: Wash your hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.

Environmental hygiene: Keep your house clean, use safe water for daily life, and avoid walking barefoot.

Proactive medical check-ups: If you experience persistent symptoms such as periumbilical pain, digestive disorders, unexplained weight loss, or anemia, you should visit a medical facility for stool tests or colonoscopy to receive timely treatment.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/o-giun-trong-dai-trang-nguoi-phu-nu-co-thoi-quen-an-rau-song-169251212104852289.htm