About this topic
Hookworm is an infection caused by a roundworm. These worms can be found in dirt and other materials with feces. You can catch the infection by direct contact with the infected dirt and feces. The worms enter into your skin. They flow through your blood to your lungs and airways. They move up to your throat and are swallowed into your stomach. ‚
When this worm lives in your bowels, it lays eggs there. Some eggs are passed out of your body through your stool. Other worms may come back and enter into the skin around your anus. The skin may become red, itchy, and painful. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What are the causes?
This infection is caused by roundworms, like: ‚
- Necator americanus
- Ancylostoma duodenale
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Living or traveling in warm moist climates
- Walking barefoot in soil or along a beach
- Contact with stool or sewage
- Working with soil like farming and mining
- Children playing in contaminated soil or areas
- Using human stool as fertilizer
- Poor personal hygiene
- Poor community sanitation
What are the main signs?
You may not have any signs or your signs may be very mild at first. You may have: ‚
- Loose stools
- Belly pain or cramps
- Upset stomach
- Itchy rash
If you have had the infection for a long time, you may have signs like: ‚
- Weakness
- Fever
- Bloody stool
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor may also ask if you have traveled recently or had your skin exposed to soil. The doctor will check your belly for tenderness and your skin for any rash. Your doctor may order tests like: ‚
- Stool sample to check for worms
- Blood tests
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment for this infection includes drugs and lifestyle changes. Surgery may be needed in cases of heavy infection. ‚
Are there other health problems to treat?
Very bad hookworm infection may cause health problems, like: ‚
- Low red blood cell count
- Not able to take in enough nutrition
- Loss of protein
- Slow growth
- Problems with brain development
- Pregnancy problems in women who have hookworms. They may have babies who are born early or are very small.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Use only animal manure as plant fertilizers. Ask your local health department for information on proper composting of animal manures.
- Practice good health habits. Wash your hands after working or playing in soil or sand. Wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Help with pain
- Treat blood loss called anemia
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid walking barefoot. Wear shoes when you are walking on soil or visiting places that may be infected.
- Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
- Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before eating.
- 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.
- Treat your pets if they have worms. Some kinds of worms can be spread to humans.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm/ ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/hookworm/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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚