Do Fly’s Give You Worms?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered, “Do flies give you worms?” there are several possible answers. While flies aren’t necessarily responsible for worms, they can be carriers of bacteria and viruses. According to Jeff Scott, a Cornell professor of entomology, house flies can spread disease and carry a number of pathogens.
The larvae of flies can survive in your intestine and cause intestinal problems, including abdominal pain and vomiting. You may even notice larvae in your stool after defecating. If you think you’ve been infected by fly larvae, see a doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, your doctor may use topical antibiotics to treat the problem. Other times, you can also get an oral antibiotic.
In March 2018, a woman from Nebraska reported experiencing similar symptoms. She had been out in the cattle fields when she came in contact with the worms. Her doctor removed three of the worms and preserved them for analysis. After her treatment, she visited a second doctor. The second doctor also couldn’t find worms. After removing the fourth worm from her eye, the woman reported clearing up her symptoms.
Flies lay eggs that hatch between 8 and 20 hours after the adult fly lays them. The resulting maggots are about half an inch long and off-white in color. They look like tiny worms, with a mouth and kidney-shaped markings on the head. As larvae, they are unable to develop legs.
