MOST worms that infect humans reside in the intestinal tract, spreading through poor sanitation, food or drinking water contaminated with worm eggs.

PINWORMS - small white worms shorter than 1/2 inch- are the most common. They afflict mostly children. Kids busy at play can pick up pinworm eggs in their fingernails from the ground and from the toys they handle. The eggs can likewise be picked up from toilet seats, beddings, clothing and other objects. They can stay on a child's skin for several hours. They can survive for up to 3 weeks on clothes, beddings and toys. Without their knowing, children carry and swallow some eggs in their mouth, especially thumbsuckers and those with the habit of putting their fingers in their mouth. Lighter eggs become airborne and can be inhaled and swallowed.

Pinworm eggs inside the human body reside in the upper part of the intestine until they hatch. After they hatch, the worms which look like tiny straight pins move down the length of the intestine. In the night while the afflicted child sleeps, the female pinworm comes out from the rectum to lay thousand of eggs around the anus, causing skin irritation and severe anal itching. Itching triggers scratching the anus which results in some of the eggs being transferred to the hands and fingernails, if they are carried to the mouth and swallowed- the cycle of infestation occurs anew.

HOOKWORMS - infect about 25% of the world's population. The eggs go with the stool and hatch 2-days later in the soil. The larvae enters the human body through the skin, usually on the soles of children and others who go barefoot. They transfer to the lungs- are coughed up and swallowed. They then take up residence in the small intestine where they attached themselves to its wall and feed on the person's blood. A large infestations of hookworms can cause iron-deficiency anemia and abdominal pain.

THREADWORMS - life cycle is similar to that of hookworms. They can cause coughing, shortness of breath and even pneumonia when lodged in the lungs. In the small intestine, they can produce abdominal pain and severe diarrhea.

ROUNDWORMS enter the body as eggs carried in contaminated water, food or soil-contaminated hands. Some may get into the body through the skin. Adult roundworms look like earthworms and are sometimes found in the stool or vomit. They grow in the intestines from one millimeter to one meter long. Roundworm infestation is more common in places with warm and tropical climate. Their most common infection which affects one billion people worldwide is known as ascariases. Signs and symptoms of ascariases infection are: cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea, blood in the stool, weight loss, fatigue and presence of worms in vomit or stool.

TAPEWORMS are flatworms that affect humans through pork, beef and fish that contain cysts of larvae that are eaten half-cooked or undercooked. These cysts develop into their adult stage in the intestinal tract. They may grow up to 30 feet in length. Their bodies are made up of hundreds of segments called proglottids which contain eggs. Each mature segment which contain both male and female reproductive structures breaks off from the tapeworm posterior and passed in the stool to begin a new life cycle. Tapeworm infections are asymptomatic, others may cause anemia, diarrhea and pain.

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

Worms are treated primarily with medication called antihelminthics. Pinworms, hookworms and roundworms are usually eradicated with pyrantel pamoate (antiminth) or mebendazole (vermox). A single dose is effective, but a follow-up dose is recommended to eliminate all eggs and larvae. If a child in the family is afflicted with pinworms, he should be dewormed, including his siblings and even adults. Tapeworms can be eliminated with niclosamide (niclocide) or praziquantel (Biltricide). All of these medications should be done in consultation with your family doctor.

SELF-TREATMENT:

(1) Clean entire house on the same day that medication is taken. (2) Wash towels, face towels, bed linens and clothing in hot water, using a strong detergent and bleach, (3) Clean and disinfect bathroom. (4) Sterilize, disinfect and rinse thoroughly toys and objects. (5) Trim fingernails. (6) Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. (7) Wash hands with soap and water before and after eating. (8) Don't go barefoot outdoors. (9) Cook beef, pork and fish until they are well-done. (Guide to Medical Cares and Treatments)

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