| Hookworm infection | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hookworm disease |
 | |
| Hookworms | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Itchiness, localized rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea[1] |
| Complications | Anemia, protein deficiency[2] |
| Causes | Ancylostoma duodenale (old world hookworm), Necator americanus (new world hookworm)[1] |
| Risk factors | Walking barefoot in warm climates with poor sanitation[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Stool sample[1] |
| Prevention | Not walking barefoot, stopping outdoor defecation[1] |
| Medication | Albendazole, mebendazole, iron supplements[3] |
| Frequency | 428 million (2015)[4] |
Hookworm infection is an infection by a type of intestinal parasite known as a hookworm.[1][5] Initially, itching and a rash may occur at the site of infection. Those only affected by a few worms may show no symptoms. Those infected by many worms may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and tiredness. The mental and physical development of children may be affected. Anemia may result.[1]
Two common hookworm infections in humans are ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis, caused by the species Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus respectively. Hookworm eggs are deposited in the stools of infected people. If these end up in the environment, they can hatch into larvae (immature worms), which can then penetrate the skin. One type can also be spread through contaminated food. Risk factors include walking barefoot in warm climates, where sanitation is poor. Diagnosis is by examination of a stool sample with a microscope.[1]
Risk of infection can be reduced on an individual level by not walking barefoot in areas where the disease is common. At a population level, decreasing outdoor defecation, not using raw feces as fertilizer, and mass deworming are effective.[1] Treatment is typically with the medications albendazole or mebendazole for one to three days. Iron supplements may be needed in those with anemia.[3]
Hookworms infected about 428 million people in 2015.[4] Heavy infections can occur in both children and adults, but are less common in adults.[2] They are rarely fatal.[6] Hookworm infection is a soil-transmitted helminthiasis and classified as a neglected tropical disease.[7]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "CDC - Hookworm - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)". www.cdc.gov. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ a b "CDC - Hookworm - Disease". www.cdc.gov. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ a b "CDC - Hookworm - Treatment". www.cdc.gov. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. 8 October 2016. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
- ^ Prevention, CDC - Centers for Disease Control and. "CDC - Hookworm - Biology". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1459–1544. 8 October 2016. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31012-1. PMC 5388903. PMID 27733281.
- ^ "Neglected Tropical Diseases". cdc.gov. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.