When people hear about tropical diseases, they often think of insects. But many illnesses are caused by worms, and they spread in everyday ways, through food, water, soil, or unwashed hands. These infections are still common in many parts of the world and often go unnoticed.
- Taeniasis
What it is: An infection caused by adult tapeworms living in the gut.
How it spreads: By eating undercooked beef or pork that contains tapeworm larvae.
Symptoms: Many people have no symptoms. Others may have stomach pain, weight loss, nausea, or feel hungry more often than usual.
- Cysticercosis
What it is: A condition where tapeworm larvae form cysts in the body, sometimes in the brain.
How it spreads: By swallowing tapeworm eggs through contaminated food, water, or dirty hands.
Symptoms: Headaches, seizures, vision problems, or no symptoms at first.
- Echinococcosis
What it is: A disease caused by tapeworm larvae forming cysts in organs like the liver or lungs.
How it spreads: By ingesting tapeworm eggs from contaminated food, water, or environments.
Symptoms: Often no symptoms for years. Larger cysts can cause pain or breathing problems.
- Ascariasis
What it is: An infection caused by roundworms living in the intestines.
How it spreads: By swallowing worm eggs from contaminated soil, food, or hands.
Symptoms: Stomach pain, poor appetite, coughing, or gut blockage in severe cases.
- Hookworm Disease
What it is: An infection where worms attach to the gut and feed on blood.
How it spreads: Larvae enter through the skin, often when walking barefoot on contaminated soil.
Symptoms: Tiredness, weakness, low iron levels, and slowed growth in children.
- Trichuriasis (Whipworm Infection)
What it is: An intestinal infection caused by whipworms.
How it spreads: By ingesting eggs from contaminated soil or food.
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, stomach pain, and anaemia in heavy infections.
- Strongyloidiasis
What it is: A worm infection that can stay in the body for many years.
How it spreads: Larvae enter through the skin from contaminated soil.
Symptoms: Skin rashes, stomach problems, diarrhoea, or serious illness in people with weak immune systems.
These infections often spread quietly and may not cause symptoms right away. Simple habits like washing hands, preparing food safely, drinking clean water, and wearing shoes can help reduce the risk and protect long-term health.
References
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-ntd-day/2025/brief-outline
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tapeworm/symptoms-causes/syc-20378174#
https://www.cdc.gov/taeniasis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html#
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23534-cysticercosis
https://www.cdc.gov/echinococcosis/about/about-cystic-echinococcosis-ce.html#:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK430796/#
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6367705/#
