While serious complications are rare, pinworms can lead to:
Bacterial infections
: When the infected person scratches the anal area, the skin can bleed and become infected. Urinary tract infections (UTIs): In females, the worms can travel to the vagina and cause infections.
What is the most common complaint in enterobius Vermicularis?
The most common complaints are
local itching and restless sleep
due to nocturnal anal pruritus. Dysuria, enuresis, vulvovaginitis, and vaginal discharge have been attributed to pinworm as well.
What is the disease caused by enterobius Vermicularis?
Pinworm infection
What is the common term of enterobius Vermicularis?
The nematode (roundworm) Enterobius vermicularis is widely known as the
human pinworm
due to the female's long, pointed tail. In some areas the common names “seatworm” and “threadworm” are used (the latter of which is sometimes also used to refer to Strongyloides stercoralis).
How common is enterobius Vermicularis in the world?
Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms) is one of the most common human parasitic helminths and by one estimation,
about 200 million people worldwide are
supposedly infected, with children aged 5~10 years old accounting for over 30% of cases [1].
What happens if pinworms go untreated?
In rare cases, if the infestation is left untreated, pinworm infections
can lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI) in women
. Pinworms can also travel from the anus into the vagina, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs. This may result in other infections, including vaginitis and endometritis.
How do adults get pinworms?
Accidentally swallowing or breathing
in pinworm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The tiny (microscopic) eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks.
What kills Enterobius vermicularis?
The medications used for the treatment of pinworm are either
mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or albendazole
. Any of these drugs are given in one dose initially, and then another single dose of the same drug two weeks later. Pyrantel pamoate is available without prescription.
How is Enterobius vermicularis treated?
Anthelmintics
, such as mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, and albendazole, are active against Enterobius vermicularis. Itching, irritation, and excoriation should be treated symptomatically. Reinfection with E vermicularis immediately after the completion of drug therapy is common.
How can Enterobius vermicularis be prevented?
How can pinworm infection and reinfection be prevented?
Strict observance of good hand hygiene
is the most effective means of preventing pinworm infection. This includes washing hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food.
Has anyone died from pinworms?
Pinworm infestation is very rarely fatal
; death and morbidity are from secondary infection. A 28-68% increased risk for appendicitis is associated with pinworm infestation.
Which is a helminth disease?
Helminthiasis, also known as
worm infection
, is any macroparasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic worms, known as helminths. There are numerous species of these parasites, which are broadly classified into tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms.
Are pinworms an STD?
Anal warts, herpetic ulcers, and syphilitic chancres are common anal STDs. Gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydial organisms are common causes of venereal acute proctitis. Enteric infections such as shigellosis, amebiasis, giardiasis and pinworms can be transmitted by
oral-anal contact
.
Can you get pinworms from toilet seats?
A person is infected with pinworms by ingesting pinworm eggs either directly or indirectly. These eggs are deposited around the anus by the worm and can be
carried
to common surfaces such as hands, toys, bedding, clothing, and toilet seats.
What are symptoms of pinworms?
- Itching around the anal area, difficulty sleeping and irritability.
- If it is a severe infection, symptoms may include: nervousness. restlessness. loss of appetite. weight loss. girls may experience vaginal itching and irritation (vaginitis), if pinworms are near the vagina.
Where do pinworms live naturally?
Adult pinworms are found in
the colon
; the female worm migrates down the gastrointestinal tract and deposits eggs around the anus.
