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Hookworms

What is it? The hookworm is a parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human. Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus A. duodenale predominates in the Middle East, North Africa, India and (formerly) in southern Europe while N. americanus predominates in the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia. The A. braziliense and A. tubaeforme species infect cats, while A. caninum infects dogs. Uncinaria stenocephala infects both dogs and cats. The worms suck blood voraciously and damage the mucosa. However, the blood loss in the stools is not visibly apparent Major in South Africa, China, India and vietnam help with asthma

What is it caused by? and Who and How a person can contract it?

not wearing shoes when outside digging with your hands in damp soil Don't touch soil that has been contaminated for it may contain larvae from hookworms! Hookworms can enter through your skin if going around barefoot or exposing your skin to soil where hookworms stay.

Symptoms of the Disease In heavy infestations (which may involve more than 500 larvae), the general symptoms include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, fluid retention in the face and extremities, constipation alternating with diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, increased appetite for bulky or strange substances (e.g., clay), delayed puberty and stunted growth, fatigue, dullness, and apathy. Hookworm infestation tends to be constantly widespread in varied regions of the world.

How the disease is diagnosed

Semi-lunar cutting plate; bipartite dorsal ray Diagnosis depends on finding characteristic worm eggs on microscopic examination of the stools, although this is not possible in early infection. The eggs are oval or elliptical, measuring 60 µm by 40 µm, colourless, not bile stained and with a thin transparent hyaline shell membrane. When released by the worm in the intestine, the egg contains an unsegmented ovum.

Treatment

The most common treatment for hookworm are benzimidazoles, specifically albendazole and mebendazole The hookworm can be treated with local cryotherapy when it is still in the skin