Hookworm infection: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

mNo edit summary
 
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{SI}}
[[File:Hookworm (14401315244).jpg|thumb|Hookworm]]
{{Infobox medical condition
 
| name            = Hookworm infection
'''Hookworm infection''' is a parasitic infection caused by [[helminths]] of the [[Nematode]] class. The two main species that infect humans are ''[[Necator americanus]]'' and ''[[Ancylostoma duodenale]]''.  
| image          = [[File:Hookworms.JPG|250px]]
 
| caption        = Adult hookworms
| field          = [[Infectious disease]]
| symptoms        = [[Abdominal pain]], [[diarrhea]], [[weight loss]], [[anemia]]
| complications  = [[Iron deficiency anemia]], [[malnutrition]]
| onset          = 1-2 weeks after exposure
| duration        = Can be chronic if untreated
| causes          = [[Ancylostoma duodenale]], [[Necator americanus]]
| risks          = Walking barefoot in contaminated soil, poor sanitation
| diagnosis      = [[Stool examination]], [[blood test]]
| differential    = [[Ascariasis]], [[strongyloidiasis]], [[trichuriasis]]
| prevention      = Improved sanitation, wearing shoes
| treatment      = [[Albendazole]], [[mebendazole]]
| medication      = [[Anthelmintics]]
| frequency      = Affects approximately 576-740 million people worldwide
| deaths          = 65,000 deaths annually
}}
[[File:Hookworm (14401315244).jpg|left|thumb|Hookworm]]
'''Hookworm infection''' is a parasitic infection caused by [[helminths]] of the [[Nematode]] class. The two main species that infect humans are ''[[Necator americanus]]'' and ''[[Ancylostoma duodenale]]''.
==Epidemiology==
==Epidemiology==
Hookworm infection is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where sanitation is poor and people often walk barefoot. It is estimated that up to 740 million people worldwide are infected with hookworm.
Hookworm infection is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where sanitation is poor and people often walk barefoot. It is estimated that up to 740 million people worldwide are infected with hookworm.
<youtube>
<youtube>
title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''  
title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/Y7hZZ_nSzh8
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/Y7hZZ_nSzh8
&rel=1
&rel=1
Line 17: Line 33:
height=600
height=600
</youtube>
</youtube>
==Life cycle==
==Life cycle==
The life cycle of hookworms begins with the release of eggs in the feces of an infected person. These eggs hatch in the soil and develop into larvae, which can penetrate the skin of a human host. Once inside the body, the larvae migrate to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and then reach the small intestine, where they mature into adult worms.
The life cycle of hookworms begins with the release of eggs in the feces of an infected person. These eggs hatch in the soil and develop into larvae, which can penetrate the skin of a human host. Once inside the body, the larvae migrate to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and then reach the small intestine, where they mature into adult worms.
==Symptoms and complications==
==Symptoms and complications==
Most people with hookworm infection have no symptoms. However, heavy infections can cause a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anemia. In children, chronic hookworm infection can cause growth retardation and cognitive impairment.
Most people with hookworm infection have no symptoms. However, heavy infections can cause a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anemia. In children, chronic hookworm infection can cause growth retardation and cognitive impairment.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Hookworm infection is diagnosed by finding hookworm eggs in a stool sample. Other diagnostic methods include serological tests and endoscopy.
Hookworm infection is diagnosed by finding hookworm eggs in a stool sample. Other diagnostic methods include serological tests and endoscopy.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
The treatment for hookworm infection is antihelminthic medication, such as [[albendazole]] or [[mebendazole]]. Iron supplements may also be given to treat anemia.
The treatment for hookworm infection is antihelminthic medication, such as [[albendazole]] or [[mebendazole]]. Iron supplements may also be given to treat anemia.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Prevention of hookworm infection involves improving sanitation, wearing shoes, and avoiding contact with soil that may be contaminated with human feces.
Prevention of hookworm infection involves improving sanitation, wearing shoes, and avoiding contact with soil that may be contaminated with human feces.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Parasitic diseases]]
* [[Parasitic diseases]]
* [[Helminthiasis]]
* [[Helminthiasis]]
* [[Tropical diseases]]
* [[Tropical diseases]]
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Tropical diseases]]
[[Category:Tropical diseases]]
[[Category:Nematode infections]]
[[Category:Nematode infections]]
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}

Latest revision as of 04:26, 7 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Hookworm infection
File:Hookworms.JPG
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia
Complications Iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition
Onset 1-2 weeks after exposure
Duration Can be chronic if untreated
Types N/A
Causes Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus
Risks Walking barefoot in contaminated soil, poor sanitation
Diagnosis Stool examination, blood test
Differential diagnosis Ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis
Prevention Improved sanitation, wearing shoes
Treatment Albendazole, mebendazole
Medication Anthelmintics
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Affects approximately 576-740 million people worldwide
Deaths 65,000 deaths annually


File:Hookworm (14401315244).jpg
Hookworm

Hookworm infection is a parasitic infection caused by helminths of the Nematode class. The two main species that infect humans are Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale.

Epidemiology[edit]

Hookworm infection is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where sanitation is poor and people often walk barefoot. It is estimated that up to 740 million people worldwide are infected with hookworm.

Life cycle[edit]

The life cycle of hookworms begins with the release of eggs in the feces of an infected person. These eggs hatch in the soil and develop into larvae, which can penetrate the skin of a human host. Once inside the body, the larvae migrate to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and then reach the small intestine, where they mature into adult worms.

Symptoms and complications[edit]

Most people with hookworm infection have no symptoms. However, heavy infections can cause a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anemia. In children, chronic hookworm infection can cause growth retardation and cognitive impairment.

Diagnosis[edit]

Hookworm infection is diagnosed by finding hookworm eggs in a stool sample. Other diagnostic methods include serological tests and endoscopy.

Treatment[edit]

The treatment for hookworm infection is antihelminthic medication, such as albendazole or mebendazole. Iron supplements may also be given to treat anemia.

Prevention[edit]

Prevention of hookworm infection involves improving sanitation, wearing shoes, and avoiding contact with soil that may be contaminated with human feces.

See also[edit]

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia