Dumb question of the week..lol.. Why don't we give humans wormer like they do most other animals?

Question

And why aren't we checked for worms like they do at the vets? Is this a silly question or what?

Answer 1

I've wondered the same thing! Considering that I heard a story a long time ago about someone having worms so bad that they could feel them crawling inside them! Scarey!! I thought maybe it was a tall tale. But I imagine that if we humans can get worms, (and I imagine we can), we would have some sort of symptoms that let us know something was wrong. The doctor would, at that time, check, and give the proper treatment.

Answer 2

If you don't have any symptoms, why bother? There is some recent evidence that worms might be good for you if you have allergies or autoimmune disorders:

Some recent research has also begun to show that some kinds of common parasites, such as intestinal worms (e.g. hookworms), secrete immunosuppressant chemicals into the gut wall and hence the bloodstream which prevent the body from attacking the parasite. This gives rise to a new slant on the "hygiene hypothesis" - that co-evolution of man and parasites has in the past led to an immune system that only functions correctly in the presence of the parasites. Without them, the immune system becomes unbalanced and oversensitive. Gutworms and similar parasites are present in untreated drinking water in undeveloped countries, and in developed countries until the routine chlorination and purification of drinking water supplies. This also coincides with the time period in which a significant rise in allergies has been observed. So far, there is only sporadic evidence to support this hypothesis - one scientist who suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever) infected himself with gutworms and was immediately 'cured' of his allergy with no other ill effects. Full clinical trials have yet to be performed however. It may be that the term 'parasite' could turn out to be inappropriate, and in fact a hitherto unsuspected symbiosis is at work.

Answer 3

Some of those worms make themselves quite well known and become irritating (Itch like crazy). There are various forms of these worms, some being common to different areas of the country.

Answer 4

maybe humans just don't want to admit that they have worms. It would be too embarrassing.

Answer 5

Well, some people to get worms (parasites).