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Original poster

OMG - think either DH or I has parasitic intestinal worms (worse than threadworms)

43 replies

abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:02

This is just bizarre - I still don't know quite what to make of it.

I went to the loo this morning and when I lifted the lid found a long (5 cm?) pink worm wriggling around in the bottom of the bowl.

This was the loo in our annexe bit of the house and nobody else had used it this morning. In fact, only DH and I ever use it anyway, as it is next to his home office.

After a bit of inspection and googling we decided it could be a parasitic worm called roundworm.

BUT

  • how come it was there on its own
  • where (who!) did it come from
  • how did it survive our cleaner who came and cleaned all the loos yesterday

We've both taken a dose of Ovex, but now we're not sure what next? Should we be booking a GP appt, taking stool samples or what?

If it is something like roundworm then it's potentially more serious than common threadworms, but I simply can't imagine how either of us would contract something like that, as it's pretty rare in the UK, and we haven't travelled anywhere exotic (US last summer!).

I can't think of any other logical explanation for it though?

Gross......

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 07/12/2007 22:04

the worm may have come up through the pipes, though.

when i had to live in a residence hall first year at uni one of my suitemates got roundworm.

but believe me, she knew it, and not from finding a worm in the bowl!

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:06

How would it come up through the pipes? (This is a first floor room)

What were her symptoms (or don't I want to know!). DH is convinced it's him now, as he read that in the early stages it gets into your lungs and causes wheezing/ asthma, and about a month ago he was suffering from the worst asthma he's ever had...

OP posts:
PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 07/12/2007 22:07

the cleaner??

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:11

Yes Paula - wondered about that, but it just seems unlikely that she'd clean the loo then use it?

It's definitely not an earthworm or anything.

OP posts:
PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 07/12/2007 22:13

use then clean but worm floats back up?

CarGirl · 07/12/2007 22:14

think you need to speak to your cleaner because it is one of you!

ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:15

you can get somethign from eating pork
can't remember what srt of worm

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 07/12/2007 22:15

are you in uk?

Kathyate6mincepies · 07/12/2007 22:16

isn't it tapeworm you can get from eating pork?

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:16

Cargirl - ? (don't understand, sorry!)

Pork = Tapeworm usually

OP posts:
ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:17

tape worm possibly, have you googled tape worm?>
are you sure it is not an earth worm?

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:17

Yes -in UK, and I wouldn't say we were particularly dirty people!

OP posts:
Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:19

It was very small and thin really and pink. Even if it was an earthworm, how would it get into the water system?

On the other hand, if it was excreted wouldn't it be attached to faeces or something?? (sorry TMI!)

OP posts:
CarGirl · 07/12/2007 22:19

I just mean that it's either you or your dh who has worms or possibly the cleaner. I think you need to speak to her and tell her that you found a worm and that you are going to be tested IYSWIM, it couls have come from her and she is unaware that she has them????

Poor you - yucky!

ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:19

surely you would have known if you had "passed" a long worm?

ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:21

perhaps the cleaner had done some gardening before she cleaned the loo?

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:21

Elastic - well, possibly, but it could be inside a long poo I suppose! (More DH's sort of thing I have to say, I'm more of a fluffy girl myself)

OP posts:
ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:22

do you feel unwell?

i bet you do now, but are there any other symptoms

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 07/12/2007 22:23

dp said is it not unlikely in uk unles you been abroad recently

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:24

Come back EXpat - we need to hear about your friend!!

(By the way, if you're eating, or of a nervous disposition, I don't recommend you google 'roundworm' in Google Images )

I can't decide if we're being 'cyberchondriacs' and there is actually a perfectly reasonable (less unpleasant) possibility...?

OP posts:
Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:25

Paula - is your DH a GP or something?
We have only been in Southern US this year - not anywhere tropical...

OP posts:
PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 07/12/2007 22:26

no but a physician of sorts

Original poster
abitworried · 07/12/2007 22:27

Elastic - not particularly unwell, but then many people carrying parasites don't have any major symptoms apparently.

DH has fished it out and put it in a pot, in case we need to send it anywhere

OP posts:
lisad123 · 07/12/2007 22:29

any chance the kids have brought worms in from the garden?

ElasticAnimal · 07/12/2007 22:30

hospital for tropical diseases nw1, why not send it there and ask them?
oh you are not in uk are you?

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