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Ascariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. This parasite is found in contaminated soil and can infect humans when they ingest food or water that has been contaminated with the eggs of the parasite.
Once inside the body, the eggs hatch and the larvae migrate through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream, where they travel to the lungs. In the lungs, the larvae mature into adult worms, which then migrate up the airways and are swallowed back into the digestive tract. The adult worms then attach themselves to the lining of the small intestine, where they feed on the host's intestinal contents.
Symptoms of ascariasis can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and a cough or wheezing due to the migration of the larvae through the lungs. In some cases, the infection may be asymptomatic.
Diagnosis of ascariasis is typically made by identifying the characteristic eggs of the parasite in a stool sample. Treatment usually involves taking an antiparasitic medication, such as albendazole or mebendazole, which can kill the adult worms.
Prevention of ascariasis involves practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet, and avoiding ingestion of soil or water that may be contaminated with the parasite's eggs.