About this topic
Whipworm is an infection caused by a roundworm. Whipworms live in the intestines and eggs are passed through stool. It is an infection of the bowels. The worms are shaped like whips. They can be found in dirt and other materials that are contaminated with stool. You can catch the infection by: ‚
- Putting dirty fingers in your mouth that have whipworm eggs on them
- Eating raw fruits and vegetables grown in dirt where human stool is used as a fertilizer
- Drinking water that has been around whipworms
- Touching personal items of an infected person
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What are the causes?
The worm Trichuris trichiura causes this infection. This worm can live inside the large bowel. Without treatment, an adult worm may grow and live for as long as a year inside the body. Female worms may lay many eggs in the intestine. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Not washing hands with soap and water before and after:
- Touching food
- Going to the bathroom
- Working or playing in dirt
- Using human feces as fertilizer
- Not cleaning and cooking foods in the right way
What are the main signs?
You may not have any signs of this infection. Signs of a mild infection may include: ‚
- Belly cramps
- Loose stools
- Weight loss
Signs of a very bad infection may be: ‚
- Stools that are bloody, watery, or filled with mucus
- Tissue lining of the anal wall falls down
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. You may need to have stool tests or lab tests. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment for this infection includes drugs and lifestyle changes. The doctor may suggest surgery if a very bad infection has caused rectal prolapse. This will put rectal tissue or the lining of your anal wall back in place. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Drink water from a clean source. You may need to drink bottled water.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day. This will help to prevent fluid loss.
- Wash, peel, or cook all fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Avoid close contact with an infected person.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Kill adult worms
- Help with pain
What problems could happen?
- Loss of fluids
- Lack of proper nutrients in the body
- Intestinal block, tear, or bleeding
Very bad infection may lead to: ‚
- Rectal prolapse
- Iron poor blood
- Slow growth and maturity in children
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
- Follow good hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom or changing diapers
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- After working in dirt
- Teach children to keep their hands out of their mouth.
- Wear proper protective clothing when working with soil. Wear hand gloves or shoes when farming or exposed to soil.
- Be careful when eating.
- Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served very hot.
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Do not eat raw vegetables or fruits. Be careful when eating salads as the produce may have been washed with tap water.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that are peeled or cooked.
- If you suspect that your drinking water may be contaminated, let it boil at more than 140 ‚ °F (60 ‚ °C) for at least 30 minutes.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/whipworm/gen_info/faqs.html ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/whipworm/Pages/Default.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚