ASCARIASIS (Roundworm Infestation)

ETIOLOGIC AGENT: Ascariasis lumbricoides

Mode of transmission:
 Direct contact
 Happens when: ingestion of contaminated food and water
 Used of soiled or contaminated fingers

Risk factors:
 Poor hygiene
 Rural area
 Infants
 Poor nutritional
 Malnutrition
 Poor environmental sanitation

Manifestations:
• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise
• Abdominal pain usually at the periumbilical area
• Cough, fever, crepitant
• Blood tinge sputum from tissue damage
• Nasal pruritus
• Urticaria
• Intestinal obstrustion ; form of bolus
• Cholestatic jaundice

Complications:
✔ Perforation of peritonium
✔ Peritonitis
✔ Laryngeal obstruction
✔ Hepatic abscess
✔ Cholangitis
✔ Energy protein undernutrition
✔ Anemia

Diagnosis:
✔ Stool exam
✔ Chest X-ray
✔ Roentgenograms
✔ Blood examination
✔ Malnutrition

Prognosis:
 Good prognosis
 Except : failure to diagnose and treat biliary and intestinal involvement.

Treatment:
✔ Intestinal obstruction:
○ Decompression
○ Fluid and electrolyte therapy
○ Laparotomy
 ✔ Abdominal pain
○ Dicyclomine HCL
✔ Periodic Mass treatment
✔ Stool exam 1-2 weeks after the treatment
✔ Administration of anti Helmentic drugs
○ Pyrantel Pamoate
○ Peperazine Citrate
○ Mebendazole
○ Tetramizole

Nursing intervention :
✔ Care of exposed person
✔ Fecalysis for ascaris ova
✔ If (+) begin treatment regimen

Prevention:
✔ Hygiene
✔ Human waste disposal
✔ Proper food handling