Summary Worms

Worms

Thread Worms

 Common in children
 Not transmittable
 Eggs in mucus
 Normally transmitted under fingers to mouth
 Eggs viable for 14 days
 Symptoms:
 Asymptomatic
 Itching at night
 Stomach ache
 Diagnosis:
 5% can be seen in stool
 Examine anus
 Treatment:
 Whole household
 Good hygiene measures
 Drug treatment doesn’t work on eggs
 Treat whole family
 Mebendazole 1st line
 Over 2 years old
 Single dose but may be repeated
 Mebendazole:
 Binds free beta tubulin inhibiting polymerisation
 Inhibits glucose uptake
 Increase bioavailability with fatty meal
 Mild GI side effects
 Considerations:
 Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children under 3 months

Round Worms

 Contracted abroad usually (past 2-3 months)
 Transmitted by faecal matter to mouth
 Symptoms:
 Fever and cough then GI irritation
 Diagnosis:
 Eggs or worm in stool
 Treatment:
 Hygiene
 Mebendazole 100mg BD for 3/7
 Piperazine
 Levamisole

Hook Worm

 Symptoms – blood in stool, itch and ulcer like symptoms
 Diagnosis – eggs in stool


Tape Worm