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Threadworms

Threadworms (also known as pinworms) are the most common parasitic worms in the UK and are highly contagious, especially in children but are easily treated.  They are tiny, pale, thin worms that look like cotton threads and live in the intestines.  If your child is infected with threadworms, they may complain of having an itchy bottom (worse at night).  Sometimes the tiny white worms may be seen around the child’s anus at night or they may show up in the child’s bowel movement.  However, although around 25% of children are affected at any one time, nine out of ten will not show any symptoms or notice any itching.  This does not mean they should not be treated.  If left untreated the infestation will spread to other members of the family and to other people that they are in contact with.  Animals cannot catch or pass on human threadworms.

Children easily pick up threadworms from each other through contact with skin or objects contaminated with the eggs of worms.  These enter the mouth and grow into adult worms in the gut.  The washing of hands after using the toilet is therefore important in reducing the spread of infection.  If your child is mixing with other children who are infected but are not treated it is more than likely that the threadworms will return and will become an ongoing problem.  It is therefore important that the treatment of this parasite is taken seriously to avoid continual re-infection amongst groups of children.  Most threadworm infections are mild and easily treated.  Your doctor may prescribe a single chewable tablet, a second tablet being taken 2 weeks later, or you can purchase the tablets over the counter at the chemist.

For more detailed information please look on the following websites:-

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
www.fredworm.co.uk
www.countrydoctor.co.uk