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Hookworm is a parasitic infection caused by Necator Americanus or Ancylostoma duodenale, which can be contracted by walking barefoot on soil or sand contaminated with infected feces. Symptoms include rash, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Treatment involves antiparasitic medication and iron supplements. It is common in underdeveloped countries with poor waste management systems and warm, humid conditions.
Hookworm occurs when a human becomes infected with a certain type of parasitic worm, colloquially known as a hookworm. These parasites are usually picked up from sand or soil and, having burrowed into the skin, make their way to the small intestine. People who have hookworm may experience some mild gastrointestinal problems initially. As the number of worms in the small intestine increases, weight loss and anemia are common.
Many types of hookworms can infect mammals, but only two species can infect humans: Necator Americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. These two species of hookworms are also sometimes called new world hookworms and old world hookworms, respectively. Hookworm occurs when a human is infected with Ancylostoma duodenale.
Humans often get hookworms when they come into contact with infected feces. This can occur unbeknownst to a person when walking barefoot in soil or sand. The eggs of this type of hookworm are usually found in feces on the ground. After hatching from the eggs, the larvae can survive without a human host for several weeks.
Once the larvae come into contact with human skin, they work their way through it. After entering a human body, it will make its way into blood vessels and eventually into the small intestine. When it is inside the intestine, it attaches itself to the intestinal wall, where it sucks the blood of its host.
One of the first signs of hookworm is a rash where the hookworm has entered the skin. This usually occurs in the foot and can appear almost immediately after contact. The rash often itches and is sometimes called itchy ground.
After the hookworm attaches itself to the intestinal wall, a person may experience mild abdominal pain. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can also be signs of this intestinal infection. As the hookworm matures, it can lay thousands of eggs, resulting in a more serious infestation. An individual with a severe case of hookworm could suffer from malnutrition, weight loss, and anemia if this condition is left untreated.
Treatment for hookworm generally involves the use of antiparasitic medications. These are usually very effective most of the time. If a patient has become anemic, iron supplements may also be needed.
Hookworm is typically more common in areas with poor waste management systems, particularly in underdeveloped countries. Generally, inhabitants of subtropical and tropical regions are more susceptible to this infection, as these warm, humid conditions usually help these parasites thrive. However, this infection can also occur in developed parts of the world including the southern parts of the United States.
