PING % : PINWORMS!!!

[sirgregoryhall]

Pinworms by Sir Gregory Hall Esq.
(school paper March 2012)


Pinworms are small worms that infect the intestines and make you rectum
itch.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pinworms are the most common worm infection in the United States. They are
most common in school-age children.

Pinworm eggs are spread directly from person to person. They can also be
spread by touching bedding, food, or other items contaminated with the eggs.

Typically, children are infected by unknowingly touching pinworm eggs in
their rectum and putting their fingers in their mouths. The eggs are
swallowed, and eventually hatch in the small intestine. The worms mature in
the colon.

Female worms then move to the child's anal area, especially at night, and
deposit more eggs. This may cause intense itching. The area may even become
infected. When the child scratches the itching anal area, the eggs can get
under the child's fingernails. These eggs can be transferred to other
children, family members, and items in the house.

Symptoms

Difficulty sleeping due to the itching that occurs during the night

Intense itching around the anus

Irritability due to itching and interrupted sleep

Irritated or infected skin around the anus, from constant scratching

Irritation or discomfort of the vagina in young girls (if an adult worm
enters the vagina rather than the anus)

Loss of appetite and weight (uncommon, but can occur in severe infections)

Signs and tests

Pinworms can be spotted in the anal area, especially at night when the worms
lay their eggs there.

Your doctor may have you do a tape test. A piece of cellophane tape is
pressed against the skin around the anus, and removed. This should be done
in the morning before bathing or using the toilet, because bathing and
wiping may remove eggs. The doctor will stick the tape to a slide and look
for eggs using a microscope.

Treatment

The main treatment is a single dose of either mebendazole or albendazole,
which kill the pinworms (not the eggs).These are available over-the-counter
and by prescription.

More than one household member is likely to be infected, so the entire
household is often treated. The single-dose treatment is often repeated
after 2 weeks. This treats worms that hatched since the first treatment.

To control the eggs:

Clean toilet seats daily

Keep fingernails short and clean

Wash all bed linens twice a week

Wash hands before meals and after using the toilet

Avoid scratching the infected area around the anus. This can contaminate
your fingers and everything else that you touch afterwards.

Keep your hands and fingers away from your nose and mouth unless they are
freshly washed. Carry out these measures while family members are being
treated for pinworms.

Expectations (prognosis)

Pinworm infection is fully treatable.

Complications

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Repeated infection with the parasite (re-infestation)

Vaginitis




AND I HAVE THEM MY DOCTOR TOLD ME!!

% i know you have them so do you think maybe I caught the from you when we
were together?





--
Sir Gregory