Parasitic Worms in the Human Body

Quick Answer

Parasitic worms are roundworms (nematodes) and flatworms (tapeworms and flukes) that can live in the human body. One of the most common in Europe is the pinworm, especially in children. Most worm infections cause no symptoms at all, and symptoms like stomach ache, itching or tiredness almost always have other, more common causes. Worms mostly spread through eggs on hands, food or soil, through undercooked meat or fish, or through insect bites, and everyday habits like washing hands and cooking meat and fish well prevent most of them.

For many worms, most infections cause no symptoms at all. When they do, it depends on the worm: stomach ache, an itchy bottom at night (pinworm), an itchy rash where larvae entered the skin (hookworm), or swelling of the legs over many years (lymphatic filariasis).

A few worms are known to affect sleep and mood too. Pinworm itching at night disturbs sleep and makes children cranky, and cysts from pork tapeworm eggs in the brain can cause epilepsy. Popular online claims such as "worms cause sugar cravings" have no research behind them.

The Parasite Explorer lists the symptoms per worm, each one labelled as known or unproven, and its Detective tab turns them into cases to solve.

Educational only. These symptoms almost always have other, more common causes. This game does not diagnose, treat or give medical advice. If you are worried about your health, see a doctor.

Known Established science, with a source for every parasite.

Fiction Invented to make the games fun:

• The frequency button, the beam, the glow and the dissolving worms are invented for the game. This game makes no claim that frequencies treat, heal or remove anything.
• The numbers on the frequency slider have no meaning. Every value gives the same result in the game.
• All parasites are shown in one body at the same time. In reality nobody has all of them at once.
• Sizes, colours and movements are stylised. Tapeworms are shown far shorter than their real length of metres, and tiny worms are shown larger so you can see them.
• The body and organs are simplified shapes, not an anatomical model.

To do Open questions:

• Emolio has not tested any frequency on any of these parasites. Our in vitro work so far is with other micro-organisms.
• If we ever test frequencies on parasites, we will publish the method and all results here, including results that show no effect, before the game says anything about it.
• Have every fact checked by a parasitologist or doctor.