What are common symptoms of a helminthic infection?

Common symptoms of a helminthic infection typically include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. These symptoms arise because helminths, or parasitic worms, can disrupt the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of these organisms can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, causing patients to experience weight loss. Abdominal pain can occur due to inflammation, blockage, or irritation caused by the worms as they inhabit and feed off the intestinal lining. Additionally, diarrhea may result from the irritation of the intestinal mucosa or as a response to the presence of these parasites, which can interfere with normal digestive processes.

Other options provided, while they may represent symptoms related to different types of infections or conditions, do not align as closely with the typical presentation of helminthic infections. For example, muscle cramps and headaches are more commonly associated with other illnesses or conditions and are not characteristically linked to helminthic infections. Similarly, fever and chills are more suggestive of bacterial or viral infections rather than helminthic ones. Skin rashes and irritation could be related to allergic reactions or other types of infections, but they are also not common symptoms of helminthic infections. Thus, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss