Worms

The condition is widespread in Africa, China, South East Asia, and Central and South America. It's very rare in the UK, so it's thought that most cases that are reported in the UK were contracted abroad.

An average of 80 cases of roundworm are reported every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In most people, roundworms will cause no symptoms, or only symptoms of mild indigestion. But if the number of worms increases, or the worms move from the small intestine to other parts of the body, they can cause more serious, and sometimes fatal, complications.

Estimates of the numbers of deaths caused by roundworm vary significantly, possibly because it is hard to get accurate clinical data from the poorer parts of the world. Figures range from 10,000 to 100,000 deaths a year, most of which are children.

Prognosis

Roundworms present a serious health problem in parts of the developing world. Many poorer people don't have access to healthcare, so a roundworm infection can become serious. Malnutrition also makes the symptoms of roundworm worse and increases the risk of complications.

In the UK, cases of roundworm can be treated easily, and should not present a serious health problem.

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