The University of Maryland Medical Center says that there are two general categories of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths refer to worms that invade and feed on your intestines. Protozoa are one-celled organisms that multiply in your body. Schistosomas, hookworms and giardia are three types of intestinal parasites.
Scistosomas
MedlinePlus states that the schistosoma is an adult worm that, in its infective stage, is called a cercaria. This worm contaminates water. It can actually swim in water and bury into your skin and mature into its other form, called a schistosomula. This can move to your liver, lungs, rectum, bladder and spleen, resulting in a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis.
Schistosomiasis symptoms include fever, an enlarged liver or spleen, stomach pain and diarrhea. Other schistosomiasis symptoms include painful urination, bloody urine and frequent urination. The medication prazquinatel is the treatment of choice for schostosomiasis. Corticosteroids can be given if schistosomiasis is severe.
Hookworms
According to MedlinePlus, the hookworm is a 1/2-inch roundworm that belongs to the species Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum or Ancylostoma braziliense. Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale roundworms infect humans, whereas the other worms affect animals.
These hookworms are typically found in areas of poor sanitation. If you walk barefoot in such areas, a hookworm's larvae can enter your skin and cause an itchy rash. It can also enter your lungs and cause coughing. Other hookworm symptoms include diarrhea and stomach pain, especially when the worm enters your intestines. Fever, gas (flatulence), nausea, vomiting, paleness and bloody stool are other hookworm manifestations.
Treatment for hookworm includes taking such medications as albendazole, mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate.
Giardia
The Mayo Clinic says that Giardia is a parasite that assumes two forms: the active and inactive form. The active form, also called giardia lamblia, thrives in the intestines of animals and humans. The inactive form of this parasite can live in the environment for longer than a month.
Giardia lambia causes an infection called giardiasis. Its symptoms include foul-smelling diarrhea that alternates with soft stools, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea and weight loss. Antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole can help treat a giardia infection. Pregnant women may be treated with a safer antibiotic called paramomycin.
