A fluke worm is a type of parasitic flatworm called a trematode. These worms usually live inside animals or people and often have a complex life cycle involving a snail as an intermediate host.

Quick Scoop

  • What it is: A fluke is a flat, leaf-shaped parasitic worm.
  • Where it lives: Many flukes infect the liver, bile ducts, intestines, blood vessels, or lungs depending on the species.
  • How infection happens: People can get infected by eating contaminated food or water, or through contact with infected environments, depending on the fluke type.
  • Why it matters: Some infections cause mild symptoms, while others can lead to serious disease.

In simple terms

A fluke worm is basically a tiny parasite that borrows a body to live in. It’s not a normal worm you’d find in soil; it’s a flatworm adapted to surviving inside a host.

Common examples

  • Liver flukes can infect the liver and bile ducts.
  • Intestinal flukes live in the intestines.
  • Blood flukes live in blood vessels and can cause disease in humans.

When to be careful

If someone has symptoms after travel, raw freshwater foods, or exposure to risky water sources, a clinician should evaluate for parasites. Fluke infections are treatable, but the right diagnosis depends on the species involved.

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