Hookworm Infection

What is a Hookworm Infection?

• Hookworms are parasites
• affect our lungs and small intestine
• contract through roundworm eggs/larvae found in dirt contaminated by feces

Hookworm Infection

Structure

1. What is a hookworm infection?

1.1. Who is affected and where is it common

2. Causes

3. Symptoms

4. Treatment

5. Sources

Who is affected and where it is common?

Causes

Two species of hookworm cause infection

in people:

• Necator americanus
• Ancylostoma duodenale

--> both present in moist, hot areas of Africa,

Asia, and the Americas

Symptoms

• abdominal pain
• colic (cramping and excessive

crying in infants)

• intestinal cramps
• nausea
• fever
• blood in your stool
• appetite loss
• itchy rash

Treatments

Sources

• medications that destroy parasites

-> Anthelminthic medications (such as albendazole

and mebendazole)

• infections generally treated for 1-3 days
• doctor might take an iron supplement if you have anemia
• doctor also will help you to recover from any nutritional deficiencies you have (protein diet)

• http://www.healthline.com/health/hookworm#Overview1
• http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/parasitic-infections/hookworm-infection
• http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/Clinical-Large-Images/648x364_Hookworm_Infections.jpg
• http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm
• http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/fe/Get-Rid-of-Hookworms-When-Infected-Step-5.jpg/670px-Get-Rid-of-Hookworms-When-Infected-Step-5.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Hookworm_disease_world_map_-_DALY_-_WHO2002.svg/2000px-Hookworm_disease_world_map_-_DALY_-_WHO2002.svg.png