8. Thread Worm

Question 1

What ?

Answer 1

Small, thin, white worms
Between 2mm and 13mm long,
Looks like cotton thread

Question 2

Symptoms/signs of Thread worm?

Answer 2

Itchy bottoms, especially at night,
Visible on a bowel motion/around the Anus
Decrease appetite

Question 3

Where does Thread worm live?

Answer 3

Parasites that live in the human gut

Question 4

Risk of Getting Thread Worm?

Answer 4

By swallowing the worm’s eggs.
Threadworms lay eggs around your anus (bottom). By itching the eggs can stick in nails and spread to other person through food sharing. Eggs can stick into carpets, bed linen, towels, and then passed from person to person.

Question 5

Treatment of thread worm?

Answer 5

Mebendazole Tablet as a single dose. If reinfection occurs, second dose may be needed after 2 weeks

Question 6

How to diagnose Thread Worm?

Answer 6

Seen in your stool (poo)
Or on toilet paper.
Sticky tape test early morning

Question 7

Self Care patients?

Answer 7

Treat every family member even if people have no signs
Keep fingernails short and clean.
Follow strict personal hygiene: wash hands after going to the toilet and before preparing
and eating food.

Question 8

Side effects of Medication ?

Answer 8

Most common abdominal pain /less common diarrhoea, rash