Ribbon Worms

Description

A parasitic flat bodied worm which infests the intestinal tract. The worms themselves can grow extremely long over time, but typically are noticed in a victim's wastes at about 3-4 centimetres of length and about half a centimetre in width.

Contagion

Virulence

Chances of being infected depends largely on the type and degree of exposure. Ingesting under-cooked food that may contain eggs of these worms is almost certain to cause infection.

Vector(s)

Poor food preparation, and or contact with infected fecal matter is the most common vector of transmission for these parasites.

Prevention

Proper sanitation and waste removal, avoiding cross contamination of water and food sources.

Course

Incubation

From exposure to the first symptoms can be as short as 2 weeks to several months depending on the quality and quantity of food the host consumes.

Contagious

After a month the worms themselves to begin breeding, and laying eggs in the feces of their host. Some of these hatch inside the host contributing to the degree of infestation, but most are expelled to find new hosts.

Symptoms

A victim of such will rapidly lose weight as the worms compete for nutrients in the host bowels. Some victims find themselves feeling continuously hungry. The visible presence of worms in feces is a certainty for accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Curability

Provided a proper treatment nearly all victims will recover. Given a proper diet, any weight lost can be regained reasonably quickly.

General

Some treatments include the use of emetics, and flushing the intestinal tract

Medicinal

Vermicides or vermifuges are the most successful treatments through killing and/or expelling the parasites.