Diarrhea slowed down Roman soldiers

What’s Happening

Okay so Intestinal parasites that still plague us today were all over Roman Britain.

The post Diarrhea slowed down Roman soldiers appeared first on Popular Science. Third century baths and latrine block at Vindolanda, the Roman fort close to Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. (it feels like chaos)

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The Details

The soldiers guarding the Roman Empire’s northwestern frontier had a real parasite problem. Scientists analyzing the sewer drains from the Roman fort Vindolanda (near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England) found three types of intestinal parasites —roundworm,whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis .

The findings published in the journal Parasitology mark the first time that Giardia duodenalis has been documented in Roman Britain. “The study of ancient parasites helps us to know the pathogens that infected our ancestors, how they varied with lifestyle, and how they changed over time,” Dr.

Why This Matters

Adrian Smith , a study co-author and immunologist at the University of Oxford, dropped in a statement . What are roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis ? All three parasites are spread , or coming into contact with food, drink, or hands that are contaminated with infected human feces.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

Key Takeaways

• Both roundworms and whipworms are commonly called helminths .
• Roundworms are eight- to 12-inches-long and live in the intestines, They can cause abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea.
• The types of roundworms typically in humans include pinworms and ascariasis, but can be treated with medication .
• Whipworms are about two inches long and are also an intestinal parasite.

The Bottom Line

Giardia is a genus of microscopic parasites that frequently cause outbreaks of diarrhea to this day. Symptoms of Giardia infection (or giardiasis) include stomach cramps, bloating, upset stomach, and loose stools.

What do you think about all this?