Understanding Intestinal Flukes: Causes, Symptoms & Types

Flukes, also known as trematodes or flat worms, are parasites that infect humans. Most flukes are microscopic, but can cause serious disease. There are about 70 species of flukes that will live in the human intestines, but only a few of these cause illness.

Infection

• Flukes infect humans when people accidentally ingest them in contaminated water or food. Undercooked meat is also a common way in which fluke infection occurs.

Types

• There are three major types of flukes that cause illness in humans. These are Fasciolopsis buski and amphistomes, which commonly infect pigs, and heterophyid, which commonly infects fish.

Identification

• Symptoms of a fluke infection vary based upon which type of fluke is involved. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia and intestinal obstruction.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of a fluke infection is most often made by identifying the fluke's eggs in a stool sample. The stool sample will be examined under a microscope for identification.

Treatment

• Flukes in humans are treated with various medications. The most common is praziquantel.