Mar 13, 2025

Parasites unveiled: Understanding the threat of worm infestations

Lifestyle Desk

Threadworm- A common infestation

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are extremely contagious and frequently found in children. Because the female worms lay their eggs near the anal region, they induce itching at night.

Source: Canva

How threadworms spread

By transferring eggs to fingernails by scratching, threadworms can spread by contact. Reinfection is made possible by the cycle being continued by egg consumption.

Source: Canva

Symptoms and identification

Bedwetting, irritability, and anal itching are all signs of threadworms. In extreme situations, they could resemble appendicitis and induce stomach pain.

Source: Canva

Treating threadworm infections

The oral anti-worm drug mebendazole works well. To avoid reinfection, the entire household should be treated.

Source: Canva

Hygiene's significance in prevention

Cleaning clothing and bedding, cutting fingernails, and washing hands all help get rid of eggs and lower the chance of reinfection.

Source: Canva

Hookworms

An alternative danger: Hookworms impact the gut and cause anaemia after entering through the skin, moving through the circulation to the lungs, and then being ingested.

Source: Canva

Signs and treatment of hookworm

Skin rash, diarrhoea, coughing, and stomach ache are some of the symptoms. Oral drugs are used to treat hookworms, just like they are for threadworms.

Source: Canva

Lymphatic infections and filariae

Filariasis worms infiltrate the lymphatic system, resulting in swelling, elephantiasis, and fluid accumulation (lymphoedema).

Source: Canva

Additional parasite worms

While ringworm is a fungal illness rather than a worm, other worms, such as tapeworms and whipworms, affect the intestines.

Source: Canva

Cold climate creatures and their survival strategies