Newark, DE
A 51-year-old female asked:

Can a worm or parasites infection cause anemia?

2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Christian Schultheis
Hematology and Oncology 26 years experience
Yes: Worms can attach to the intestinal wall and can cause bleeding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Ronald Sherman
Infectious Disease 40 years experience
Absolutely: Parasites like intestinal worms can cause anemia, usually by causing bleeding into the gut. Chronic infections can also cause anemia through low blood production, not active bleeding. However, this is less commonly the reason for anemia associated with worms and parasites.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

Newark, DE
A 51-year-old female asked:

Can worms or parasites cause anemia?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Elden Rand
Cardiology 23 years experience
Yes: Many parasites can cause blood loss due to decreased absorption of nutrients including iron, leading to anemia. Some include hookworm, whipworm, and schistosoma. Here is a good link to check out. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/22/4/498.abstract.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 44-year-old member asked:
Can a viral infection block the absorption of iron and cause iron deficient anemia?
1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year-old female asked:
Can iron deficiency anemia be the cause of recurrent infections?
1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year-old member asked:
My mother has a low blood count, and is always getting infections, what are the possible causes?
1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Last updated Apr 19, 2019
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$44 video appointments with $19/month membership*
*Billed $57 every 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.