Ascariasis is a parasitic large roundworm which is responsible for Ascariasis disease. Parasites are those organism that live in or on other living organisms in order to derive nutrients at the expense of that organism in which it is surviving. Hundreds of parasites out there affect humans. Moreover, Ascariasis possesses multitude of species which are almost a type of nematode worm.
- The disease developed upon consuming contaminated water.
- Symptoms involves diaarrhoea, vomit, fever and bleeding.
- The disease can be treated with anti-parasite medication.
Key Terms: Ascariasis, parasite, roundworms, asymptomatic, intestine, diarrhoea
What is Ascariasis?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Ascariasis is the scientific name for the disease caused by the intestinal parasite Ascaris, also known as Roundworm. It is generally asymptomatic, however its symptoms may appear, depending upon the number of roundworms present inside the body of the infected. The symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, swelling, etc. Children are prone to this disease.
Cause of Ascariasis
[Click Here for Previous Years Questions]
Ascariasis is caused by Ascaris, a.k.a Giant Roundworm. Ascaris is a long, pale - white, slender tube like parasite that primarily targets the Human Intestine for its survival.
A person may suffer from Ascariasis due to the consumption of water or food in which the eggs or larvae of roundworm are already present. Consequently, as soon as the larvae or eggs reach the intestine of the human body, the body of the individual becomes a breeding ground for roundworms. These parasites live inside the human body, intestine to be precise, extract nutrients from the host and evolve.
The roundworm may reach inside the human through the following ways:-
- Consumption of contaminated food or water.
- Getting in contact with an infected person.
- Using accessories of an infected person.
- Using accessories that may be contaminated with the pathogen.
- Living in an unhygienic environment.
Read More:
Life Cycle of Ascaris
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The life cycle of Roundworm is given below:-
Ingestion:
This is the first step of the lifecycle of Roundworm. In this process the larvae and eggs find their way to the intestine of the human body through direct or indirect contact.
Migration:
In this step the eggs of Roundworms hatch inside the small intestine to become larvae. Subsequently, they penetrate the intestinal wall and move to other organs of the body through the bloodstream, especially the lungs. After their growth, they move back to the intestine of the person.
Maturation:
Once they make their way back to the intestine, they grow to male and female worms. Usually, the male roundworms are smaller in size as compared to the female worms, that can grow upto 40 cm in length and 6 mm in diameter.
Reproduction:
Once fully grown, these worms reproduce to give rise to new roundworms. The reproduction process takes place inside the small intestine of the host. Furthermore, the female worms can lay upto 2,00,000.
Excretion:
Once the eggs are produced, these eggs get excreted from the intestine in the form of faeces which, in turn, further contaminate the soil, water, crops, food, etc. Therefore, the entire process repeats itself to give rise to more and more cases of Ascariasis.
Symptoms of Ascariasis
[Click Here for Previous Years Questions]
Ascariasis remains asymptomatic as long as the number of roundworms inside the host remains low. However, once the concentration of roundworms inside the body of the host becomes considerably large, then the symptoms can be observed.
The following symptoms may be shown in the host of Ascaris parasite:-
- Loss of Appetite
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Weight Loss
- Internal Bleeding
- Muscular Pain
- Anemia
- Blockage of Intestinal Passage
- Fever
- Bloody Mucus
- Breathing Problems
Read More: Vector Borne Diseases
Diagnosis of Ascariasis
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Diagnosis of Ascariasis can be done by following testes.
- Ascariasis can be diagnosed through imaging tests such as MRI, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, CT Scan, etc.
- Furthermore, by examining the stool sample of the symptomatic individual, Ascariasis can also be diagnosed.
- However, this diagnosis does not seem to be effective in the early stages of infestation.
Read More: Pathogens
Cure of Ascariasis
[Click Here for Previous Years Questions]
The consumption of anti-parasitic drugs is advised for the treatment of Ascariasis. The drugs used for the cure of Ascariasis are known are Ascaricide, e.g., Albendazole, Mebendazole, etc. However, if the infestation is of very high level, then Ascariasis can be cured through surgery.
Read More:
| Chapter Related Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dengue | Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Pneumonia |
| Common cold | Filariasis | HIV and AIDS |
| Amoebiasis | lung cancer | Diphtheria |
Prevention
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
There goes a famous proverb - “Prevention is better than cure.” Therefore, individuals should look forward to preventing the infestation of these diseases rather than waiting for the treatment.
Ascariasis can be prevented through the following ways:
- Maintaining proper hygiene
- Drinking purified water
- Consuming hygienic food
- Proper Sanitisation
- Washing Hands Regularly
- Cleaning bathroom and toilet regularly
- Avoiding contact with infected person
Read More: Harmful Microorganisms
Things To Remember
- Ascariasis is a parasitic disease develops in human body.
- The disease is caused by a giant round worm called ascaris.
- It uses an intestine to grow and develope in the host body.
- The disease can be diagnosed by MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound sonography etc.
- Treatment is possible with the help of Anti-parasitic drugs.
- Symptoms can be diarrhoea, vomit, anemia and bleeding.
- Prevention is possible by maintaining good hygiene and habits.
Previous Years Questions
- The infectious stage of Plasmodium that enters the human body… [NEET 2020]
- In higher vertebrates, the immune system can distinguish….[NEET 2016]
- Which of the following is a pair of viral diseases?...[NEET 2009]
- In which disease does mosquito transmitted...[NEET 2018]
- A person likely to develop tetanus is immunized by….[NEET 2009]
- A person suffering from a disease caused by Plasmodium...[NEET 2010]
- Antibodies in our body are complex..[NEET 2006]
- Antigens are present...[NEET 1995]
- Antivenom injection contains preformed antibodies….[NEET 2016]
- Cancer cells are more easily damaged by radiation...[NEET 2004]
- Cancerous cells can easily be destroyed by...[NEET 2002]
- Carcinoma refers to...[NEET 2003]
- Cell-mediated immunity in the human body...[NEET 2013]
- Christmas disease is another name for...[NEET 2003]
- Cirrhosis of liver is caused by the chronic...[NEET 2012]
- Cancer cells are more easily damaged by radiation than normal cells...[NEET 2004]
- Cancerous cells can easily be destroyed by...[NEET 2002]
- Carcinoma refers to...[NEET 2003]
- Cirrhosis of liver is caused by..[NEET 2012]
- Common cold is not cured by antibiotics...[NEET 2011]
Sample Questions
Ques. What is a Parasite? (2 Marks)
Ans. A Parasite is a microscopic organism that lives inside the body of another organism, called its host and derives the nutrients from the body of its host for its own survival. This gives life to the parasite, however the host is deprived from those nutrients giving rise to a number of diseases.
Ques. What are the most common symptoms of ascariasis?(3 Marks)
Ans. The common symptoms involvesthe following;
- Diarrhoea
- Vomit
- Anemia
- Musccular pain
- Internal bleeding
- Mucus in intestine
- Nause
- Fever
- Weightloss
Ques. What are the causes of Ascariasis? (4 Marks)
Ans. Ascariasis is caused by Ascaris roundworm. The roundworm reach inside the human through the following ways:-
a) Consuming contaminated food or water.
b) Getting in contact with an infected person.
c) Using accessories of an infected person.
d) Using accessories that may be contaminated with the pathogen.
e) Living in an unhygienic environment.
Ques. Write about the symptoms of Ascariasis? (4 Marks)
Ans. Ascariasis remains asymptomatic as long as the number of roundworms inside the host remains low. Commonly developed symptoms are listed below.
- Loss of Appetite
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Weight Loss
- Internal Bleeding
- Muscular Pain
- Anemia
- Blockage of Intestinal Passage
- Fever
- Bloody Mucus
- Breathing Problems
Ques. Write about the life cycle of Ascariasis. (5 Marks)
Ans. Ingestion is the first step of the lifecycle of Roundworm. In this process the larvae and eggs find their way to the intestine of the human body through direct or indirect contact.
Migration is the next step where the eggs of Roundworms hatch inside the small intestine to become larvae. Subsequently, they penetrate the intestinal wall and move to other organs of the body through the bloodstream, especially the lungs. After their growth, they move back to the intestine of the person.
After that, Maturation where once they make their way back to the intestine, they grow to male and female worms. Usually, the male roundworms are smaller in size as compared to the female worms, that can grow upto 40 cm in length and 6 mm in diameter.
In Reproduction, once fully grown, these worms reproduce to give rise to new roundworms. The reproduction process takes place inside the small intestine of the host. Furthermore, the female worms can lay upto 2,00,000.
Excretion: Once the eggs are produced, these eggs get excreted from the intestine in the form of faeces which, in turn, further contaminate the soil, water, crops, food, etc. Therefore, the entire process repeats itself to give rise to more and more cases of Ascariasis.
- It can help the students learn about the Life Cycle of Ascariasis.
- The chapter also draws attention to the symptoms and Diagnosis of Ascariasis.
- Additionally it will help the students know about the cure and prevention of Ascariasis.
Oues. How The disease ascariasis is diagnosed? (1 mark)
Ans. It is diagnosed by some tests like MRI, sonography, CT scan etc.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Read More:
Comments