What Is the Life Cycle of the Ascaris Worm?
Adult Ascaris worms live in the upper portion of the small intestine. They are 20 to 40 cm (8 to 15 inches) long, 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch) in diameter, and live for about 1 year. Fertilized females produce up to 240,000 microscopic eggs a day, which pass out of an infected person’s body in the stool. Fertilized eggs must remain in the soil for 2 to 3 weeks before they can infect another person. The eggs, however, can remain alive and viable * in soil for years. Infection usually begins when soil containing eggs gets on people’s hands. If they eat or touch their mouths before washing their hands, the eggs can get into their mouths and be swallowed. The eggs may also get into the body in food that has been contaminated with human waste.
