Hookworms are parasitic worms that infect more than 800 million people worldwide. Although some people have few or no symptoms, hookworms can interfere with children's physical and cognitive development. A person can be infected with hookworm in various ways, but fortunately this condition can be completely cured. See a doctor immediately if you suspect a hookworm infection to start the treatment process.
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Part 1 of 3: Diagnosing Hookworm Infection
Step 1. Consider whether you are exposed to a high risk area
Hookworm infection is a common condition in developing countries in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and South America. Areas with poor sanitation, water treatment and wastewater infrastructure are at high risk. Earthworm larvae live in the soil and migrate to the surface in search of oxygen and sunlight. If you come into contact with soil in a high-risk area, either with your hands or walking barefoot, you are at greater risk of developing an earthworm infection. Lying on your back on the beach to sunbathe can also cause infection.
Hookworms thrive in moist, sandy environments
Step 2. Think about how you might have contracted an earthworm infection
There are three ways a person can become infected with earthworms: through skin penetration, ingestion, and through breast milk (rare). If you live or visit a high-risk area, think about whether the above methods of transmission are possible. Penetration of the skin generally occurs through the feet, but it is possible through other parts of the skin.
- You can also catch earthworms by eating food prepared by an infected person or coming into contact with feces that contain earthworms. Owners of cats or dogs, in particular, can become infected with earthworms when handling their pet's feces.
- Soil can also be contaminated by pet faeces. Think back to whether you have ever walked barefoot where a dog or cat defecated.
Step 3. Watch for the appearance of a “serpiginous rash”
If you have a type of infection called “skin larva migration”, you may have a rash that is impossible to forget. The word " serpiginious " has the same root as " serpent " or snake. This rash adopted the name because you can see earthworms moving under the skin surface, like snakes. This rash migrates as far as 1-2 cm per day, which is why it uses the word “migration” in its name.
Step 4. Observe for a mild cough or sore throat
Once you are infected with a hookworm, the animal will look for a way to enter the bloodstream. When it reaches the lungs, the worms will penetrate the air sacs around the lungs (alveoli) and cause inflammation. This condition causes a mild cough or possibly a sore throat while the larvae continue to advance through the airways to the glottis. Other symptoms at this stage include:
- Wheezing
- Headache
- Bleeding cough
Step 5. Watch for signs of anemia
When approaching the glottis, the larvae are swallowed and move towards the small intestine. The larvae attach themselves to the intestinal wall by grinding their teeth, causing blood loss while the tiny parasite enjoys protein. If the larvae are allowed to mature in the intestines, the condition can lead to malnutrition and anemia. Here are some of the symptoms of anemia:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- pale skin
- Fast and irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Cognitive problems
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
Step 6. Don't ignore the stomach ache
Hookworms migrate to the intestines so that it is not uncommon for sufferers to experience discomfort in the stomach, especially after eating. Because hookworms repeatedly bite the intestinal wall, the pain is similar to that of a bee sting in the stomach. Other digestive problems that can occur include diarrhea, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
Step 7. Recognize that many patients are asymptomatic
The severity of symptoms depends on the "number" or "number" of worms present in the intestine. If you have 100-500 larvae in your body, the symptoms will be mild or non-existent. The number of worms of 500 or more is considered moderate, while the number of worms that reaches 1000 or more is considered severe.
Step 8. Try to consult a doctor early
If you live in a high-risk area, ask your doctor to do a worm test as part of a routine checkup. If you have recently traveled to a high-risk area, go see a doctor when you return. Provide thorough information about your trip, including interactions with dogs and cats. Your doctor may order the following tests to diagnose a hookworm infection:
- Analysis of stool samples for the presence of eggs and parasites
- Chest X-ray to see the presence of larvae in the lungs
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) and iron to check for anemia
Part 2 of 3: Treating Hookworm Infection
Step 1. Adhere to the schedule for taking anthelmintic drugs prescribed by your doctor
Anthelmintic drugs attack intestinal parasites such as hookworms. Hookworms of different species cause different types of infection. Although there is a slight degree of variation for a particular diagnosis, in general, doctors apply the same treatment to all types of worms.
- Take Mebendazole 100 mg three times a day. This dose is the same for adults and children.
- Take one dose of Albendazole 400 mg for the treatment of most cases of hookworm. If after 2 weeks, the results of laboratory tests still show eggs in the stool sample, you should take a second dose.
- If you have an infection called “visceral larval migration”, take Albendazole 400 mg twice daily for 5-20 days.
- Take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate three times daily for 6 weeks to treat iron deficiency.
- Take a 1000 mg vitamin C supplement daily for 6 weeks.
- Use an anti-itch medication such as benadryl cream, atarax, or hydrocortisone to treat skin larva migration.
Step 2. Avoid scratching the itchy rash as much as possible
Itching is caused by the presence of worms just below the surface of the skin. Scratching can cause worms to burrow under the fingernails. You can swallow it with food or transfer it to your rectum when you go to the bathroom. Scratching also increases the risk of bacterial skin infections. Try your best not to scratch the rash caused by a hookworm infection. Covering the rash with a long-sleeved shirt or long pants can prevent you from accidentally scratching it.
Step 3. Protect your hands from anything that comes into contact with feces
When urinating, do not touch the rectum with your hands. If the larvae in the feces come into contact with the hands or skin, the infection process will start all over again. To avoid this, consider wearing disposable latex gloves until lab tests show no more worms are found.
Step 4. Complete iron therapy if necessary
Because hookworms cause blood loss, an infected person often develops iron deficiency anemia. If you experience this condition, your doctor will recommend that you take iron supplements and dietary changes to normalize iron levels in the blood. Rarely are cases of severe anemia that require blood transfusions, iron injections, or intravenous iron therapy. The best sources of iron are meat products, especially red meat. Other sources of iron include:
- Iron-fortified breads and cereals
- Peas, lentils, kidney beans, white and roasted; soybeans and chickpeas
- Know
- Dried fruits such as prunes, raisins and apricots
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Plum juice
Step 5. Check with the doctor according to the instructions
The schedule for visits to the doctor may vary greatly, depending on the results of the doctor's evaluation of your case. However, in general, your doctor will ask you to return for a stool sample analysis after 2 weeks. If at that time the laboratory examination still finds hookworm eggs in the stool, the doctor will prescribe a new dose of Albendazole. Six weeks after the initial treatment, the doctor will order another complete blood count. If the laboratory results do not show numbers in the normal range, you will have to repeat therapy for another 6 weeks, then do a complete blood count again.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Re-infection During and After Treatment
Step 1. Wash your hands thoroughly
Wash your hands after coming into contact with potentially contaminated soil or feces, and every time you eat. Make sure you clean the dirt under your nails, between your fingers, and above your wrists.
Use warm or hot water and soap. Rub hands for at least 20 seconds. If you're not sure how long you should rub your hands, sing "Happy Birthday" two times in a row
Step 2. Always wear shoes outdoors
This is especially important if you are in a high-risk area. However, when walking barefoot anywhere, you run the risk of coming into contact with larvae from dog or cat feces. Even wearing flip-flops or open shoes carries the risk of exposing the skin to infection.
Step 3. Ask your veterinarian to deworm your dog and cat every year
Even if your pet is worm-free when you adopt him from the shelter, he may come into contact with worms later in life. During an annual checkup, have your veterinarian examine a stool sample to make sure there are no worms. If your doctor confirms that your pet is infected with worms, seek treatment immediately.
Step 4. Never let a pet lick your mouth
Dogs, in particular, love to show their love by licking their owner's face, including the mouth. If your pet has recently come into contact with worm-infected faeces, for example by licking, sniffing or probing it, the worms of the “Ancylostoma caninum” species can be transmitted to your skin.
Step 5. Be careful when handling pet feces
Even if you don't think picking up dog feces or cleaning a cat's litter box is risky, it's better to be on guard than sorry. Use a special tool to collect feces instead of placing your hands near potentially worm-infected feces.
If you can't afford it, consider hiring a pet excrement service
Step 6. Watch children closely
Even adults have difficulty dealing with hookworm infections. You have an itch that shouldn't be scratched, a pet's mouth to avoid, and the constant threat of re-infection through your own feces. Children need extra help to prevent transmission to others or reinfection to themselves. You should supervise children, especially when playing with pets, so they don't come near their mouths. Don't let children play in areas where hookworms are likely to be infected and make sure they don't put soil in their mouths.
Step 7. Ensure that water and food are clean and sterile
Water for drinking, bathing and cooking purposes must be sterile. If you are not sure about the condition of the water, try to boil it and let it cool before using it. Also, make sure the food is thoroughly cooked.
Tips
- There are very few signs or symptoms of hookworm infection. That is why more than 70% of infected people are not aware of it.
- Hookworm larvae can survive after hatching for up to about 4 weeks in soil, grass, flowers and leaves.
- Be careful when children play in public sandboxes. Animals often use it as a place to defecate.
- Hookworm eggs need moist soil in order to hatch. Do not allow pets to defecate in areas that do not get at least 3 hours of sunlight per day.
Warning
- Be aware that newborns, young children, pregnant women and people who are malnourished have a higher risk of hookworm infection.
- Do not give medicines to treat hookworms to children under 2 years of age. We recommend that you consult with your pediatrician for his opinion and recommendations.
