Symptoms and Transmission

Adult STH and schistosome worms are transmitted via eggs which pass out of infected individuals in feces or urine which then contaminate soil or water. Ingestion or skin contact with transmission stages can result in an infection, depending on the species. Worms live in the intestines, liver and/or blood vessels surrounding the urinary tract and do not multiply in the body. Their numbers increase through repeated infection from renewed contact with contaminated soil or water. 

Symptoms of worm infections can include stomach pain, coughing, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, a swollen belly, blood in stools or urine, and fatigue and listlessness. Worms can limit nutrient absorption and cause internal bleeding, leading to anemia and malnutrition thereby making children either too sick or too tired to concentrate in class or attend school. In the case of serious chronic infections, children may also be physically stunted. This can lead to long-term retardation of mental development. In rare cases worms can lead to conditions that are life-threatening.