Ascariasis is a human disease caused by the parasitic roundworm. It is believed that as many as a quarter of the world's people is infected. Infection occurs through ingestion of food contaminated with feces contained roundworm eggs. The eggs hatch, burrow through the intestine, reach the lungs and finally migrate up the respitory tract. From there they are reswallowed and mature in the intestine, growing up to 30cm in length and anchoring themselves to the intestinal wall.
Symptoms include:
- Inflammation.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.