HOOKWORM

Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm) belongs to the group of worms of….. The most common place to get infected is in tropical locations but the parasite in spread all over the world. A fully growm hookworm can become approx 1 cm long. Humans are the only hosts for this infection and it is seen in patients of all ages, from children to old people.

Lifcycle

A fully grown hookworm generates thousands of egg daily that passes through your intestines and then out with our bowel movements. When feces land in the dirt, these eggs develop to larvae that can access its new hosts through going through the skin of your feet while walking barefoot. They migrate into your lungs to finally enter your intestines, where it connects to you intestinal walls with a “hook” to stay there for 1-5 years.

Symptoms

Skin issues and pulmonary symptoms are early symptoms that usually are not noticed by the host. The skin issues will appear where the parasite entered the skin and the skin can get swollen, redness and itchiness.

The number of grownup hookworms will have a major impact on the symptoms. THe symtoms of the lungs are episodes of asthma, fever, cough or blood from coughing.

Symptoms in your gut and intestines are rare, and occurs at a later stage. In this stage reduced appetite, discomfort in your gut and diarrea can occur. With a large infection, the host can become anemic.

Treatment

There are efficient treatments with pharmaceutical products and sometimes iron will be added since the infection can cause anemia.

Sources: internetmedicin.se, netdoktor.se