Hookworm Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

The main feature and symptom of this hookworm disease is a slowly progressive anaemia, which is produced by chronic loss of blood from the intestines, caused by what the worms actually devour, and also by continual bleeding from the lining of the duodenum due to the worms' bites. The anaemia brings with it fatigue, and in severe cases even eodema and heart failure, but not all those who have hookworm have enough worms to cause severe anaemia.

It is important disease for its effect on the community, as the people become tired and weak, and consequently lack of energy to overcome their poverty.

Even among children aged 3 to 7 years in rural tropical areas, over 20 per cent may have hookworm in the stools; and the number rises with age.

The disease also accounts for a fair number of admissions to hospital and probably for some of the deaths. Often this anaemia follows on after the anaemia caused by poor nutrition, or by sicke-cell disease.

Hookworm infestation also worsens malnutrition in a child with early 'kwashiorkor', who loses even more protein with the blood loss from hookworm.

Cause. A small worm, either Ankylostoma duodenale, or Necator americanus.

Source. The eggs of this worm are passed in the faeces of infected persons.

Hookworm Anaemia Route

If infected persons do not pass their stools in a latrine but somewhere outside, the eggs develop into larvae (like very small baby worms) which develop in the soil and can then penetrate the skin of the bare feet of other people.

Once this larvae has entered the body, they are carried in the bloodstream to the lungs, and then climb up the bronchi, are swallowed down the oesophagus and thus reach the duodenum, where they become adult worms and attach themselves to the wall of the duodenum by the hooks on their mouths; there they suck the blood and lay eggs which are passed in the faeces. The larvae can also be swallowed and penetrate the mucous membrane of the mouth.

Hookworm Susceptibles

Even small children can get hookworm if they are placed with their buttocks on contaminated soil.

The number of hookworms is important, as large numbers cause anaemia, while a few in a well-nourished person cause few ill-effects.

Hookworm Treatment

Tetrachlorethylene 0.1 ml/kg up to 5 ml for an adult; no preparation or purgation is necessary, but the drug is given in the morning on an empty stomach. Can be repeated after 2 weeks if necessary.

Hookworm Prevention

1. Use of clean toilets (dirty latrines can be a source of hookworm larvae)

2. Treatment of all sufferers to reduce the number of people passing the worms' eggs.

3. Keeping feet covered or and wearing shoes every where around the home.

4. Keeping children's legs, thights, and buttocks covered.

5. Washing all vegetables before eating, and boiling water.

6. Educate the population about these worms.

7. Good diet containing sufficient protein and iron.