last nite i passed a worm in my stool. it was about 6 inches long and thin and whitish in color. i think there were more worms in my stool, they were smaller probably around an inch or so long and white in color. i definitely am going to see a doctor, but i live in the u.s. and have no health insurance. i think that i’ve been having these worms for a few months now, i’ve been having nausea/vomiting/diarrhea intermittently for a few months and i traveled to africa a few months ago and may have picked up the parasite there. i don’t know if i should go see a gastroenterologist, an infectious disease doctor or just go to the emergency room. any suggestions or advice as to what i should do? if i do see a gastroenterologist or infectious disease dr i will not be able to go until next week for work/school reasons. i am really freaked out and cost is also an issue. anyone that knows anything about this condition or parasites in general please help! is this a medical emergency?
I Think I May Have Ascaris (roundworm)…should I Go To The Emergency Room Or Wait Until Next Wk To See My Dr?
Nov - 02 | By: AHT | 4 comments.
Filed under : Health Insurance
4 Responses to “I Think I May Have Ascaris (roundworm)…should I Go To The Emergency Room Or Wait Until Next Wk To See My Dr?”
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Well, the worm you described does sound like Ascaris lumbricoides. Most of the disease connected with Ascaris infection is related to the larval stages, and the worm you passed would have been an adult. However, you should consider this a serious problem for two reasons. First, because Ascaris occurs around the world, it is just possible that you could be continuing to get infected and this can cause problems in blood vessels and lungs. Second, adult worms rarely (0.1% of patients) can cause serious problems like bowel obstruction or perforation when there are large infections. If you’ve passed multiple worms and you’ve been having intestinal problems, this could conceivably happen to you. Luckily, it’s really easy to treat – one pill should do the trick.
I can’t tell you what to do, not knowing your financial situation, but an ER doctor, a gastroenterologist, or an ID doctor should all be able to treat you if you don’t have any complications like bowel obstruction. If you do choose to wait for a while, be aware that strong abdominal pain can be a sign of a major intestinal injury that requires immediate treatment. If you experience intense pain in your abdomen, you’re going to want to get to an ER.
Roundworms can reproduce faster than most microorganisms. Larvae can pass right through intestinal walls and take a free ride in the bloodstrem to any part of the body they want to go, where they can reproduce more. In other words, yes, it is a medical emergency. The treatment for it is standard – kill the worms. An opthamologist would even know that, I would go to the ER.
I would go to the E.R. you don’t want these things in your bloodstream
this is NOT an emergency. see your doctor.