What are the cause of hookworm infection? How are they transmitted?
Hookworm infection is common in India.
Life Cycle: Hookworms have a complex life cycle that begins and
ends in the small intestine. Hookworm eggs require warm, moist, shaded
soil to hatch into larvae. These barely visible larvae penetrate the skin
(often through bare feet), are carried to the lungs, go through the respiratory
tract to the mouth, are swallowed, and eventually reach the small intestine.
This journey takes about a week. In the small intestine, the larvae develop
into half-inch-long worms, attach themselves to the intestinal wall, and
suck blood. The adult worms produce thousands of eggs. These eggs are
passed in the feces (stool). If the eggs contaminate soil and conditions
are right, they will hatch, molt, and develop into infective larvae again
after 5 to 10 days.
Sources Of Infection: Humans are infected by drinking contaminated
water or by coming in direct contact with contaminated soil, usually by
walking barefoot, and having the larvae penetrate the skin. Since transmission
of hookworm infection requires development of the larvae in soil, hookworm
cannot be spread person to person.
Hookworm Egg
How is this infection diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by examining the stool for eggs.
Most hookworm infections cause no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they
may include itching where the larvae enter the skin, abdominal pain, loss
of appetite, a feeling of fullness, and diarrhea. Anemia may occur in severe
cases and represents one of the most serious potential complications of
hookwork infection.
Can hookworm infection cause any serious health
problems?
Yes. The most serious results of hookworm
infection are due to anemia and protein deficiency caused by blood loss.
When children are continuously infected by many worms, the loss of iron
and protein can retard growth and mental development, sometimes irreversibly.
Hookworm infection can also cause tiredness, difficulty in breathing, enlargement
of the heart, and irregular heartbeat. Sometimes hookworm infection could
be fatal, especially among infants.
What is the treatment for hookworm infection?
Hookworm is treated with albendazole or pyrantel
pamoate. These medications are taken by mouth for 1 to 3 days. If anemia
is present, iron supplements may be given to correct the anemia. A doctor
should be consulted and the medicine taken only under medical advice.
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