If this actually did come out of mother’s mouth, that indicates a severe roundworm infection. These worms live in the intestines so to vomit one up there needs to be a very high worm burden. Thankfully roundworm infections are very treatable. Going to a doctor would be the best bet but if that isn’t an option, there are many deworming medications available over the counter.
What are roundworms?
Roundworms are small organisms that can live in your intestine, which is part of your digestive system. Roundworms can live in the human intestine for a long time. They can be harmful and cause many problems, including abdominal (belly) pain, fever and diarrhea.
Roundworms have long, round bodies and can be of different sizes, depending on the type. The eggs or larvae (newly hatched roundworms) often live in infected soil or stool (poop).
What is a parasite?
Roundworms are parasites — organisms that need to live on or in another creature to survive. Often, the parasite causes problems for its host (creature it depends on). For roundworms, they need the body of humans or other animals to mature into egg-laying adults.
How common are roundworms?
Hundreds of millions of people around the world are infected with roundworms at any given time. But many of these parasites are uncommon in the United States. Americans may come into contact with them when traveling to certain countries.
Pinworms are the most common roundworm infection in the United States. It affects 20 million to 42 million people, many of them children.
How does a person get infected with roundworms?
The route into the body depends on the type of roundworm. Many of these parasites enter the body through the mouth. Infection often happens from touching poop or soil that’s infected with eggs and not washing hands (fecal-oral route). Pinworm infections result from touching eggs laid near the opening of the buttocks (anus).
You can accidentally ingest roundworm eggs by preparing food or touching soil that’s contaminated. The eggs then hatch inside your body.
For other roundworms, eggs may hide in the food people eat. And in some cases, larvae can enter the body directly through your skin.
Regardless of how they enter, most roundworms end up in your intestines, causing infection or disease.
Who is at risk for roundworms?
Anyone can get roundworms. Roundworm infections are more common in children and people who are:
- Living in poverty, especially in underdeveloped areas of the world.
- Living in warm climates.
- Living in an institution, such as a prison or mental health facility.
- Not practicing good hygiene.
Are roundworms contagious?
Yes. If you come into contact with infected poop of people or animals, you can get roundworms. You can also get them by touching infected surfaces, like soil.
Can I get roundworms from my pets?
Yes. If your pet has roundworms, you can be exposed to the eggs or larvae in their poop. A pet with roundworms can spread the disease to many people. Talk to your veterinarian about protecting you and your pet from roundworms.
Symptoms and Causes
What causes roundworms?
Each type of roundworm has different causes, as well as different symptoms.
What are the causes and symptoms of roundworm infection of your intestines (ascariasis)?
This type of roundworm spreads through poor hygiene. It often lives in human feces (poop). People catch it through hand-to-mouth contact.
If you have a roundworm infection of your intestines (ascariasis), you may not have symptoms. You may see live worms in your poop though. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Cough.
- Disturbed sleep.
- Fever.
- Restlessness.
- Severe abdominal (stomach) pain.
- Vomiting
- Wheezing.
- Malnutrition.
- Growth delay.
What are the causes and symptoms of hookworm?
People get hookworm by walking barefoot on dirt mixed with infected poop.
People may not notice symptoms if their health is otherwise good. If someone does have symptoms, the signs may include:
- Anemia, when you don’t have enough red blood cells, making you feel tired and weak.
- Colic, a lot of crying and fussiness in an otherwise healthy baby.
- Diarrhea.
- Mild abdominal pain and intestinal cramps.
- Nausea.
What are the causes and symptoms of pinworm?
Pinworm is the most common roundworm infection in the United States. It most often occurs in children and can spread easily in school or daycare. The infection starts when eggs enter the mouth and travel to the intestines. The eggs hatch and develop into adult pinworms.
A female pinworm then lays her eggs in and around the anus (opening of the buttocks). Without realizing it, people touch the eggs with their fingers. For example, a small child might touch or scratch their bottom or not wash hands after using the bathroom. Parents may not wash their hands properly after changing a diaper of a child with pinworms.
After touching an infected area, people may put their fingers in or near their mouths or touch surfaces. Pinworm eggs can attach to bedding, clothing, toys, doorknobs, furniture and faucets for up to two weeks.
Those with pinworm infections may experience mild symptoms or none at all. The most common symptom is itching around the anus or vagina. The itching can become intense after a pinworm lays eggs.
What are the causes and symptoms of strongyloidiasis?
This type of roundworm mainly lives in tropical and subtropical areas, where it’s warm year-round. But it can also live in other regions during warmer seasons. People get infected by touching contaminated soil. Strongyloidiasis enters through the skin and travels to the intestines.
Some people may experience mild symptoms or none at all. If you have a moderate infection, you may feel:
- Burning in the abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Rounds of diarrhea and constipation.
Severe strongyloidiasis infections may cause:
- Anemia.
- Chronic (long-lasting) diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
What are the causes and symptoms of trichinellosis?
Trichinellosis is different than other roundworm infections. It’s not an intestinal infection. It affects your muscles. People get it through eating undercooked meat, especially sausage, pork, horse, walrus and bear meat.
Some people may experience mild symptoms or none at all. But you may feel tired or get stomach symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps.
When trichinosis enters the muscles, you may get:
- Eye infection and rashes.
- High fever.
- Muscle pain and aches.
- Swelling in the eyes and face.
What are the causes and symptoms of whipworm?
You get whipworm by:
- Touching it with your hands.
- Eating food that has whipworms on it.
- Eating food that was grown in soil with whipworms.
There are usually no symptoms with whipworm. However, if you have a severe infection, you may experience:
- Blood in your poop.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach pains that come and go.
- Weight loss.
- Anemia.
