T.D.T., a 21-year-old man from Yen Bai, sought medical attention at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi after experiencing fever, dizziness, nausea, severe itching, numbness, and widespread skin rashes. Parasites were visibly moving under the skin on his thighs, forearms, abdomen, and back.

Doctors diagnosed him with dracunculiasis, a condition caused by the Dracunculus sp. parasite, commonly known as guinea worm. The diagnosis was confirmed through clinical observation and testing conducted by the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology.

T. reported previously consuming raw fish dishes, which led to severe itching, skin abrasions, and abscesses.

Guinea worms often remain asymptomatic during their early presence in the body. However, about a year later, female worms begin to migrate and grow under the skin, causing symptoms such as mild fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, localized redness, numbness, and itching.

Eventually, the affected area swells and ruptures, releasing a yellowish discharge. The wound often reveals a portion of the white worm, typically its head. Without intervention, the worm usually exits the body on its own after 3–6 weeks.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Cap, Deputy Director of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, noted that guinea worm infections had previously not been reported in Vietnam, as they were primarily confined to Africa and a few other regions. However, new cases have emerged in the country.

In addition to guinea worms, there has been an alarming rise in parasitic infections, including those contracted through undercooked food and domestic animals. For instance, strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, has become more prevalent. These infections are chronic and often unnoticed until other medical conditions or treatments trigger severe symptoms like prolonged infections or sepsis. Without specific diagnosis, standard infection treatments are often ineffective.

How parasites enter the body

Parasites can invade the human body through various pathways, including contaminated water, food, waste, soil, or blood. Some species, such as Toxocara canis (dog roundworm) and Toxocara cati (cat roundworm), are transmitted from animals to humans. Others, like hookworms from dogs and cats, can also infect humans through close contact with infected pets or their environment.

If left untreated, parasitic infections can have dire consequences. Symptoms range from growth stunting, malnutrition, and anemia to diarrhea, itching, fever, dizziness, and coughing. Severe cases may lead to intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal ulcers, bile duct blockage, liver abscesses, pulmonary effusion, and more. Parasites in the eyes can impair vision or cause blindness, while those in the brain may result in seizures, epilepsy, or coma.

Dr. Cap identified three common habits that heighten the risk of parasitic infections:

Consumption of Raw or Undercooked Food: Dishes like raw fish salads, rare meats, and aquatic vegetables such as water celery are common carriers of parasites.
Poor Waste Management: Unregulated disposal of human waste leads to increased parasite proliferation.
Improper Pet Care: Failure to deworm pets allows parasitic eggs to adhere to their fur. Handling infected pets or food contamination via pet contact can introduce parasites to humans. Additionally, pets often host external parasites like fleas and ticks that can transmit infections.
 

Phuong Thuy