Adult PinwormPinworms (also known as threadworms) live in human
intestines. A small, white, and round worm, it is a parasite that
lives in the colon of infected people (known as the host) and they
look like short pieces of white cotton thread when seen. Found
worldwide, the pinworm tends to infect mainly children, although
anyone can be infected at any age. This article explains how to
recognize and prevent a pinworm infection.
!! Steps !!
Be aware of which people are most at risk of
getting a pinworm infection (enterobiasis). As
noted, children tend to be infected more often
but the ease with which they can be passed from
person to person means that anyone is
potentially able to be infected. Those most
likely to be infected include:
* School- and preschool-aged children
* People who are institutionalized
* Family or household members and caregivers of people with a
pinworm infection.
Understand the life cycle and transmission vector (how the parasites
grow and are spread from host to host). Pinworm eggs hatch in the
hosts small intestine. When grown, they travel to the rectum to lay
eggs, and the "glue" that adheres the eggs to the anus is what
triggers the skin's itching sensation. When someone scratches the
itchy area, microscopic pinworm eggs are transferred to their
fingers. Contaminated fingers can then carry pinworm eggs to the
mouth, where they are either passed hand to mouth or to various
surfaces, where they can live for 2 to 3 weeks and be picked up by
others.
_ Life cycle of the human pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) Be
alert for signs of irritation in the rectal area. Often, someone
can have a pinworm infection without having any symptoms. When
symptoms are_ present, they are likely to be:
* Itching around the rectum (bottom) – the itching is usually
worse at night, and is caused by the worms migrating to the area
around the rectum to lay their eggs.
* Restlessness, poor sleep
* Bedwetting
* Irritability (such as teeth-grinding).
* In females, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a
vaginal discharge.
* Take note of a sudden onset of difficulty sleeping or nighttime
restlessness.
Look for actual signs of the worm. Checking for
the worms can be done using the naked eye, as
follows:[1]
* You can actually see worms in the anal (rectal) area, especially
if you look about 2 or 3 hours after your child has fallen asleep.
Use a flashlight (torch) to help you see clearly.
* You might also see the worms in the toilet after he or she goes to
the bathroom. Look to see if the worms are wriggling in bowel
motions. The worms look like tiny pieces of white thread and are
very small, about this long: ___
* They may also be found on underwear in the morning.
* Take a collection of worms. If you suspect a pinworm infestation,
your doctor may ask you to help make the diagnosis of pinworm by
placing a sticky piece of clear cellophane tape against your
child's rectum.[2] Pinworm eggs will stick to the tape and can be
seen under a microscope in a laboratory. The doctor might also
take some samples from under a child's fingernails to look for
eggs.
Prevent the infection. Pinworm infection is
spread by the transfer of pinworm eggs from the
anus to someone's mouth. This typically
happens either directly by hand or indirectly
through contaminated articles. The following
steps will help reduce the spread of the
infection and lower the risk of re-infection:
* The best way to protect yourself and your family from a pinworm or
any other parasitic, bacterial, or viral infection is to practice
and teach proper handwashing techniques. Make sure you and your
family wash hands before eating or handling food, after using the
bathroom, and after changing a diaper. Wash your hands after
attending to children who are being treated for pinworms.
* Keep fingernails clean and trimmed short. Avoid biting your
fingernails.
* Avoid scratching the skin around the anus area. Have children wear
close-fitting sleepwear and underpants and mittens. This will make
it harder for them to scratch at night and pick up the worms.
* Every family member should wash their body every morning and
change underclothing daily (showering may be preferred to avoid
contaminated bath water). During treatment, shower at night and in
the morning, to remove eggs that have been laid during the night.
* Handle the bedding, clothing, and towels of an infected person
carefully. Avoid shaking the articles and wash infected articles
(underwear, bed linen, sleepwear, and towels) in hot water,
separately from other washing.
* Avoid eating in the bedroom. Doing so increases the risk of
contact with the pinworm's eggs.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* In daycare centers and schools with a widespread infection, all
those infected should be treated at the same time. Treatment
should be repeated in two weeks time.
* Reinfection occurs easily. All household or family members should
receive treatment if one or more members has been diagnosed with
the infection.
Common places for the transmission of pinworm eggs are:
* bed linens, towels, underwear, and pajamas
* toilets and bathroom fixtures
* food, drinking glasses, eating utensils, and kitchen counters
* toys and sandboxes
* desks and lunch tables at school
* Treatment involves two doses of either prescription or
over-the-counter medications with the second dose being given two
weeks after the first dose.
* Always speak to your health care provider before treating a case
of suspected pinworm infection.
* If there are multiple re-infections after treatment, steps should
be taken to locate the source of the infection. A child's
playmates, schoolmates, or household members and caretakers should
be considered as possible sources.
* Pinworm eggs are rarely found in stool or urine samples.
* Pinworm infection is not a sign of uncleanliness. Pinworms can be
prevented using simple hygiene measures but are not a reflection
on household or personal cleanliness.
!! Warnings !!
* Pinworm infection often appears in more than one person in a
household and in institutional settings.
* Childcare centers frequently experience cases of multiple pinworm
infections.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Flashlight
* Tape
* Medication from doctor
* Soap and water
* Hot water for washing
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Wash Your Hands
* How to Change a Diaper
* How to Give Yourself a Manicure
* How to Avoid Common Hygiene Mistakes
* How to Recognize Dwarf Tapeworm Infection
* How to Prevent Ringworm Infection
* How to Prevent Cysticercosis (Pork Tapeworm Infection)
!! Sources And Citations !!
* http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/pinworm –
res/factsht_pinworm.htm – research source
* http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/parasitic/pinworm.html –
research source
* The Merck Manual of Medical Information, _Pinworm Infection_, p.
1142, (2003), ISBN 978-0-7434-7733-8 – research source
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