Threadworm/Pinworm Flashcards
What are 6 symptoms of threadworm/pinworm?
- Itchy bottom especially at night
- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
- Feeling unwell
- Inflammation of vagina
- Visible inspection of eggs around the anus or worms in faeces is vital
Does threadworm/pinworm require a counselling room?
Yes
What are 5 red flags for referral with threadworm/pinworm?
- Infant under 6 months
- Unclear diagnosis
- Signs of secondary infection
- for example, weeping or crusting of skin, swollen glands, fever.
- Lack of response to appropriate treatment
Does threadworm/pinworm have a PSA self-care card?
Yes (Threadworms)
What is the preferred over-the-counter treatment option for threadworm/pinworm?
Pyrantel (Combantrin)
What are the directions for Pyrantel (Combantrin) in threadworm/pinworm?
Adult and Children over 1 year: Take one 100mg square for every 10 kg of bodyweight (10mg/kg to a maximum of 1g) as a single dose. Repeat after 2 weeks
What is 1 non-preferred over-the-counter options for threadworm/pinworm and why?
Mebendazole 100mg (Vermox/Combantrin-1): unsafe in pregnancy, children may prefer chocolate squares.
Is Pyrantel (Combantrin) safe in pregnancy?
Yes
Is Pyrantel (Combantrin) safe in breastfeeding?
Yes
What is the age range for Pyrantel (Combantrin)?
Safe in infants over 1 year
What are 10 pieces of non-pharmacological advice for threadworm/pinworm?
- Wear close-fitting underwear.
- Change underwear every morning.
- Wear freshly laundered cotton gloves at night to reduce itching.
- Bathe/shower immediately after waking.
- Practice good hygiene by washing
- hands frequently, scrub under nails.
- Keep fingernails short.
- Discourage nail biting.
- Avoid scratching the anal region because this infection is transmitted through the faecal-oral route.
- Wash all sheets, bed linen, pyjamas and sleepwear in hot water to kill any pinworm eggs.
What are 4 practice points to consider when treating threadworm/pinworm?
- Check if patients have travelled recently because they might have acquired different types of worms
- Treat all members of the family, irrespective of whether they have been diagnosed as having the infection due to the high risk of transmission.
- A grown pinworm is yellowish white, slender and about one centimeter long
- Patients can be reassured that threadworm only infects humans, and is not spread via animals.
