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What Does a Hookworm Look Like?

The adult hookworm lives in the small intestine. It latches onto the intestine using 6 sharp teeth, where it feeds by sucking blood through the intestinal wall. Hookworms average between five and 10 millimeters in length.

  1. Eggs

    • The female hookworm releases her eggs into the intestinal tract of the human host. The hookworm eggs are then passed out of the host by means of the stool. Hookworm eggs are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye.

    Stage One Larvae

    • Under good conditions the larvae hatch in the stool after a period of one to two days. These thin, flat, and nearly microscopic first stage larvae will continue to grow in the feces or soil.

    Infective Larvae

    • After five to ten days the larvae have molted twice and have become filariform (infective) larvae. These larvae can survive for three to four weeks in soil that is shaded and moist.

    Entering The Host

    • Upon contact with human skin (such as walking barefoot outdoors) the larvae latch on and burrow into the skin. After entering the blood vessels the tiny larvae are carried to the heart and then the lungs. Infective larvae are still nearly microscopic and small enough to burrow into skin and enter the small blood vessels.

    Migrating To The Stomach

    • Once in the lungs the hookworms enter the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs and climb the bronchial tree the pharynx (lower esophagus). Upon entering the pharynx the larvae make their way to the stomach and ultimately the small intestine.

    Reaching Adulthood

    • Once inside the intestine the hookworm latches on to the intestinal wall with its six sharp teeth where it will remain for it's adult lifespan (one to two years).

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