B81: Other intestinal helminthiases, not elsewhere classified
B81.1: Intestinal capillariasis
Some worms are parasites. Parasites gain a unilateral benefit from cohabiting with other living creatures. If you get the parasites, or their eggs, in your mouth, they can get into your stomach and intestine. There the parasites feed on the nutrients there. To be sure that worms in food are killed off, the food can be cooked. Another option is to freeze the food for a long time at a low temperature.
Hair worms live as parasites in freshwater fish. You get infected by eating raw infected fish.
Hair worms can cause problems. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are possible. You may also not absorb enough nutrients from your food and lose weight. When you have hair worms you may also have a fever.
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The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended for self-diagnosis and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health.
If you see an ICD diagnosis code (e.g., on a medical report), be aware that doctors may also include additional indicators to express diagnostic certainty. Only a healthcare professional can interpret these codes accurately in the context of your individual case.
For a complete understanding of your condition and what the diagnosis means for you, please speak directly with your doctor.