{"id":11381,"date":"2019-08-28T05:43:33","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T05:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=11381"},"modified":"2020-04-14T11:25:04","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T11:25:04","slug":"15-frequent-causes-of-whipworm-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-frequent-causes-of-whipworm-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Frequent Causes of Whipworm Infection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whipworm is a relatively common infection that can affect people of all backgrounds. The statistics show that around 600-800 million people suffer from the infection globally. There are quite a few symptoms that you\u2019ll encounter if you\u2019re suffering from a whipworm infection. These include bloody diarrhea \u2014 officially referred to as dysentery \u2014 as well as nausea, vomiting, and fecal incontinence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various other symptoms that may develop due to the parasitic infection but it\u2019d take far too long to list them all. Knowing about the things that can cause whipworm infection or increase your risk of ingesting parasitic eggs is the best way to protect yourself. While it\u2019s pretty impossible to totally avoid whipworm due to the vastness of its habitat, staying in the know can at least reduce your odds of suffering from the parasitic infection. Let\u2019s get right into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Contaminated fertilizers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we all know, fertilizers are poop \u2014 though often of animals rather than humans except for some rare cases. The issue with whipworm is the fact that it can occur in other animals, not just humans. This means that it can infect an animal whose manure is being used as fertilizer. This contaminated fertilizer could infect people in quite a few ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, any farmhands who are handling the manure might get the parasitic eggs on their hands then proceed to ingest it when they bite their nails, eat finger foods, or even just get their fingertips near their mouth. This is why farmhands are always instructed to wash their hands after handling manure and wear gloves while pouring the fertilizer on crops. Vegetables fertilized with the contaminated manure can also be a vector for infection if they are not properly washed prior to being consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Contaminated soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much like fertilizers, soil can also become contaminated with whipworm eggs. This occurs when an animal or even a human who is infected with the parasite defecate outdoors. The soil where their feces lands on will be covered in whipworm eggs and thus be a prime reservoir for the parasite to infect others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone else comes into contact with this soil they\u2019ll be at high risk for ingesting the parasitic eggs. If they so much as touch the soil then get their hands near their mouth then they will most likely end up ingesting the eggs. Farmers who plant crops in this soil will also be spreading the parasite as anyone who eats the vegetables grown there \u2014 without washing it properly \u2014 will suffer from whipworm too. This is why farmers often keep their livestock in barns so that they don\u2019t defecate on the crop soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Contaminated water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you might not think of whipworms when listing out more common waterborne illnesses such as cholera, there are many cases of this parasite spreading through water. This usually occurs when soil or fertilizer is first contaminated. If there is a nearby stream then the whipworm eggs contained in the soil or fertilizer may get carried down and spread into larger bodies of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even lakes could serve as a reservoir for the whipworm eggs. When someone drinks this water or even washes their face in it, they could swallow the whipworm eggs. This is just another reminder of why you should never interact with streams of water in the wild. They could be packed with parasites, bacteria, and even toxic algae. If you want to avoid whipworm and other threats then stick to purified water for all your hydration needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Unwashed fruits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sticking to the theme of farming, it\u2019s important to note that you could still ingest whipworm eggs at the \u201csafety\u201d of your own home. If you buy fruits at the market then you should always wash them before eating them. A thorough washing ensures that any contaminants such as pesticides or parasitic eggs are removed before you consume the fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who don\u2019t wash fruits after eating them are at a higher risk for ingesting whipworm eggs. This is due to the fact that not all fruits grow on trees. Tomatoes and watermelons grow in the ground and thus may come into contact with contaminated fertilizer or water. This will cover them in whipworm eggs which will then enter your intestinal tract if you don\u2019t wash your fruits before eating them. The rule of thumb is that you should wash fruits for 30 seconds before eating them to remove any pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Unpeeled vegetables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The parasitic threat isn\u2019t limited to fruits, they can also affect vegetables. In fact, one could argue that vegetables are far more vulnerable to parasitic contamination than fruits due to the fact that most of them grow in the ground rather than up in the safety of trees. Vegetables that are fertilized with contaminated fertilizer or come into contact with contaminated water will be a vehicle for the parasite to spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why most people prefer to peel their vegetables before eating it as it significantly reduces the odds of them ingesting a parasite or other contaminants. If you don\u2019t peel your vegetables then you should be at a higher risk of ingesting whipworm as well as other parasites. In lieu of peeling, you should at least thoroughly wash your vegetables to cut down on the risk of contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Hot climates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a widely known fact that hot climates make for the perfect breeding ground when it comes to parasites. After all, cold climates slow their reproduction while hotter temperatures speed it up. This is why you should be extra cautious if you live in hot areas of the world. Humidity can also help parasites like whipworm reproduce at an accelerated rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a high-risk area then paying special attention to hygiene and health is paramount to avoiding whipworm and other parasitic infections. Even basic hygiene such as washing your hands before eating or after leaving the bathroom can protect you from the risks of living in a hot and humid area. Malaysia, Ghana, and the Philippines are all hot and humid countries that could produce the conditions that parasites need to reproduce at a rapid rate, thus you should proceed with caution in such nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Poor sanitation areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poorly sanitated areas of the world will always be at a higher risk of suffering from parasitic infections. This is why the commonly held belief that poor people are more likely to develop worms formed over the decades. It\u2019s not actually a matter of rich or poor but rather the level of sanitation present in their area of residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those dealing with poverty will often live in areas with poor sanitation which puts them at a higher risk of being infected by whipworm and other parasites. The best way to avoid parasitic infections is by staying away from areas with poor sanitation and sticking to more developed regions of your country. Rural areas are typically more highly affected by whipworm and other parasites in comparison to urban centers. That being said, cities can still be affected by imported fruits and vegetables that came from affected rural regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Outdoor play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor play in children is an essential part of their development. That being said, it does come with its fair share of risks. Even if you forget about parasites for a second, there are still viruses and bacteria lurking about that might get into their system while they\u2019re playing outside. Fomites describe materials and objects that could carry an infection such as playground slides or seesaws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whipworm infections can also be contracted during outdoor play either due to contact with contaminated soil or close proximity to other humans who are suffering from the parasitic infection. This is why it\u2019s advised that you always have your children wash their hands before and after playing outdoors \u2014 especially if they are about to eat as soon as they get home. Children who play outside then eat soon after without first washing their hands have very high odds of contracting a parasitic infection like whipworm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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