=====Ascariasis=====
  *caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, a soil-transmitted large nematode
  *The average life of the adult parasite is 1y, after which it dies, and is spontaneously eliminated. Adult worms do not multiply in the human host
  *Infection occurs if host ingests eggs found in stool-contaminated soil.
  *Once in the duodenum, larvae are released and enter the circulation via the enteric mucosa
  *larvae reach liver via the portal vein and then the lungs within the 1st week. Mature in alveoli > expectorate larvae > ingested > mature to worms in GIT in 20/7

==Clinical==
  *usually asymptomatic
  *symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, intermittent diarrhoea.
  *If significant larval load in lung - pneumonitis and eosinophilia can be seen (Loeffler syndrome). Symptoms include wheezing, dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, and fever.
  *In **//superinfection//**, adult worms can migrate to tubular structures like the biliary and pancreatic system causing cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, small bowel obstruction, volvulus, appendicitis, and intussusception.
  *Children are more susceptible to complications than adults.

==Management==
  *dosage for children and adults is the same
  *Albendazole 400 mg as a single dose is usually the drug of choice
  *Mebendazole 100mg bd for 3/7 is 2nd choice (1st in UK). Single 500mg dose also possible
  *pregnancy - piperazine 50 mg/kg/day for 5/7 (Mebendazole not proven to be harmful)

==References include==
[[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430796/|NCBI Ascariasis 2020]]\\