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Information on Hookworm

Hookworm is a disorder caused when roundworms, a type of parasite, attacks the small intestines and begins sucking blood from the intestinal walls. It commonly occurs when a person comes into contact with areas that contain roundworm eggs, such as soil containing feces. It usually does not produce any symptoms but the loss of blood can cause anemia.

  1. Causes

    • People get hookworm by touching or swallowing contaminated soil that contains roundworm eggs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the eggs penetrate the skin, such as a person's bare feet, and travel up to the respiratory tract. The eggs stay in the respiratory tract until the person coughs, which causes the person to swallow the eggs. The eggs then travel down to the small intestine. When the eggs hatch, the roundworms attach to the wall of the small intestine and suck the blood, causing hookworm.

    Types

    • There are three types of roundworms that cause hookworm. This includes the Necator americanus and the Ancylostoma duodenale. Both types are found worldwide in warm, moist climates. The third type, Ancylostoma braziliense, also affects animals.

    Symptoms

    • According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are usually no symptoms. Symptoms that do occur include abdominal discomfort, bloody stools, coughing, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, excess gas, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. People may also cough up blood and have pale skin, called pallor.

    Treatment

    • The NIH recommends albendazole, mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate to kill the roundworms. Anemia, a complication of hookworm, is treated by increasing protein intake. A doctor will recommend how much protein is necessary to treat anemia.

    Prevention

    • Hookworm is prevented by avoiding contact with contaminated soil, such as soil containing feces. The CDC recommends that people avoid walking barefoot or touching contaminated soil with their bare hands.

    Complications

    • An untreated hookworm infection can cause several complications, including anemia or protein deficiency. Other complications include retarded growth and mental development in children, tiredness, difficulty breathing and congestive heart failure.

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