What is a pinworm and other essential things regarding to having an infection?
PINWORM – A pinworm infection is characterized by specific signs and symptoms – this condition is called enterobiasis or oxyuriasis.
A pinworm or threadworm is a small, thin, white roundworm. It is also called Enterobius vermicularis and is sometimes found living in the colon and rectum of a human. This worm can grow for about eight to 13 millimeters for females and two to five millimeters for males.
They are named after the pin-like tails of the female worms.
If a person is infected, certain symptoms will be displayed. But behind that, as the female worms “leave the intestine through the anus, they deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin” according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A pinworm infection is medically called enterobiasis or oxyuriasis as well. Among the most common symptoms include itching around the anus and this is particularly caused by the female ones. This may lead to sleepless nights and a lack of rest.
There will also be occasional stomach pain and nausea. And one should consult a doctor if he or she is experiencing severe itching in the anal, especially at night.
The symptoms are usually mild and in some cases, an infected person won’t be displaying any.
With that being said, this infection is contagious. One can get this fecal-oral route. It can spread directly through hands or through clothing, bedding, food, or other objects contaminated by this. The eggs can survive for two to three weeks in these objects.
Apart from accidentally swallowing the eggs through the above-stated articles, one may also get an infection through the air. And once you get it, the eggs can hatch in the intestine and quickly mature into adult worms in just a few weeks.
These people who are at risk of infection as per CDC are:
- school-aged and preschool-aged children
- institutionalized persons
- household members and caretakers of persons with pinworm infection
Here are some prevention tips:
- Washing in the morning to remove eggs.
- Make sure to change your underwear and bedding daily.
- Hot water can kill the eggs. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water and dry them up on high heat.
- Avoid scratching the itchy part, particularly, the anal.
- Wash hands regularly to avoid spreading and acquiring infection.
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