Signs of Hookworms

Hookworms are parasites that live in the lungs, intestinal tracts and muscle tissues of infected people and animals. Signs of the presence of these half-inch-long members of the roundworm family vary, depending on where the infestation is located. Once infected, a person or an animal may die if the worms are not eradicated, especially if the host is young. If the numbers of worms are relatively small, the host may live a normal life, showing no signs of the presence of hookworms.

Species Infected

• Some types of hookworms affect only humans (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), while others such as Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Ancylostoma braziliense can also affect animals, according to PubMed Health, a consumer health information site created by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Human hookworms are quite rare in the United States, but some types are common in dogs and cats. They also appear in reptiles, cattle and other animals.

Symptoms

• One of the first symptoms of hookworms in humans is a tingling or an itchy feeling at the site where the hookworm has entered the body. This is usually on the feet, hands, knees or buttocks. Red tracks under the skin may be visible as the worm migrates in the body. In cases where the hookworm has migrated to the digestive system, symptoms may include anemia; vomiting; black, tarry diarrhea; poor appetite; and weight loss. If the worms reach the lungs the host will develop breathing problems and a severe cough.

Transmission

• Hookworms are transmitted in any of several ways. Nursing mothers may transmit them to their young through milk. The eggs are commonly excreted in feces, where they will hatch in two to 10 days. The larva will then crawl in through cracks in the skin of feet or any other body part that touches the infected area of the ground. They may also be ingested through the consumption of contaminated food or water. They are common in moist, sandy soil in tropical areas outside of the United States.

Treatment

• If symptoms appear, a veterinarian or a physician should confirm the presence of hookworms. Once diagnosed, a wormer such as pyrantel pamoate or ivermectin is used to eradicate the worms. It is best to treat the host at least twice, as most worm medications are unable to kill the larvae. When the patient follows a schedule, the maturing larvae will be killed before they can lay eggs to begin a new generation of parasites. Many times in humans the hookworms will die on their own, as humans are not the natural host for many of these worms, but there is a risk that, if left untreated, they may migrate to the lungs, causing severe illness.