Introduction
Nowadays health experts all over the world are paying
attention to a serious issue which very few people know: screw worm in humans.
This is a parasitic infection which can prove to be very dangerous for humans.
According to doctors, if not treated on time, this worm damages human body
tissues. In today’s report we will see how screw worm occurs in humans, what
are the symptoms, and how its treatment is possible.
2. What is Screw Worm?
Actually, the larva of a fly (builder) that consumes live
tissue is known as a screwworm.
It is different from ordinary maggots because the larvae
normally eat dead tissue, but screw worm eats live flesh. This is why doctors
call it dangerous. When it enters the human body, the condition is medically
called screw worm in humans.
3. Method of Infestation
Most cases of screw worm occur in animals, but sometimes
humans also get affected by it. If an infected fly puts its eggs (eggs) in a
human wound or nasal passages, the larvae start feeding on the tissue from
inside. This process is the real cause of screw worm in humans.
4. Symptoms – Signs
According to doctors, some common symptoms of screw worm in
humans can be:
Extreme pain and swelling of the wound
Unusual odor coming from the wound
Sense of movement of larvae on the skin
High fever and weakness
Sometimes infection inside the eye or nose
Experts say that if these symptoms are ignored, the
condition can become more serious.
5. World Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) reports say that screw worm
cases are still recorded in some areas of Latin America and Africa. There are
some documented cases in recent medical journals where emergency surgeries had
to be done due to screw worm in humans. This condition is rare but ignoring it
can be fatal.
6. How is the diagnosis done?
Doctors usually make the diagnosis through visual
inspection. If larvae are seen in the wound, it is immediately confirmed that
it is a case of screw worm in humans. Sometimes biopsy and lab tests are also
done to understand the extent of infection.
7. Treatment Options
The most effective treatment is to surgically remove the
larvae. Apart from this, medicines like ivermectin are also given which kill
the larvae. Doctors strongly recommend that patients do not self-treat, but
rather immediately go to the hospital. If timely treatment is done, recovery
from screw worm in humans is possible.
8. Prevention Measures
Experts say that prevention is the best cure. To avoid screw
worm:
Always keep your wounds clean and covered
Use insect repellents while traveling in infected areas
Follow proper hygiene after close contact with cattle or
animals
If there is an unusual infection, see a doctor immediately
By following prevention steps, the risk of screw worm in
humans is reduced to a great extent.
9. Media Reports and Public Awareness
Recent news outlets have highlighted that there is a great
need for health awareness campaigns in developing countries. People should be
educated that if a wound is not healing in an unusual way, do not ignore it. Medical
professionals have said on several occasions that human screwworm should not be
undervalued by being thought of as uncommon.
10. Conclusion
Screw worm can actually become a silent killer if not
diagnosed timely. It is certainly rare but dangerous. The recommendations of
health experts are simple: keep wounds clean, maintain hygiene, and do not
ignore symptoms. If we take all the responsible steps to screw worm cases in
humans can be controlled.