What are the signs of intestinal parasite infection?
Intestinal parasites can infect anybody. However, HIV-infected persons may not be able to control parasite infection very well if they have advanced disease. Under these circumstances, intestinal parasite infection may become a long term health problem. In some people, intestinal parasites do not cause any symptoms, or the symptoms may come and go. Common complaints include cramping abdominal pain, bloating, “gas,” and diarrhea. In more serious infections, weight loss, fever, nausea, vomiting, or bloody stools may occur. Some parasites also cause low red blood count (anemia), and some travel from the intestine to the lungs and other parts of the body. Many conditions besides intestinal parasite infection can result in these symptoms, so laboratory tests are necessary to determine their cause.
