Roundworms are also known as "Ascaris lumbricoides." This type of parasite is most commonly contracted by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with their eggs, leading to a condition known as ascariasis. These eggs hatch in the intestines and the worms then go through the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, where they are coughed up and then re-swallowed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that one billion people worldwide have ascariasis.
Step 1
Visit a doctor. Roundworm is a parasite and can be killed using medications (such as mebendazole or albendazole) that require a prescription. In some severe cases, surgery may be needed to treat a blockage of the digestive tract.
Step 2
Take the tablets that your doctor will prescribe as directed. Mebendazole, for example, typically needs to be taken twice a day (morning and evening) for three days.
Step 3
Take another course of the medication two to three weeks later. This is necessary because the medication may not kill off the eggs from the roundworms, which will hatch and re-infect.
Step 4
If your symptoms get worse or if you develop new symptoms, visit your doctor again. You may need to have surgery to remove a blockage or to clear out roundworms if they have spread to other organs.
Things You'll Need
- Mebendazole or Albendazole tablets
