What is the treatment for hookworm?

As disgusting as it sounds, hookworms are an incredibly common parasitic infection that affect over 576-740 million people around the world! But fear not, dear reader. Hookworm can be easily treated and prevented with a few simple steps. Here’s everything you need to know about treating and preventing hookworms.

What are Hookworms?

Before I jump into how to treat these little buggers, let’s first figure out what they really are. According to WebMD, “Hookworm infections occur when worms attach themselves to your small intestine and feed on your blood.” Eww! This process will lead many people who get infected with hookworm feel fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping/bloating or even appendicitis-like symptoms. Some cases may develop itching red rash which could usually become much worse if left untreated.

Different Types of Hookworm Infections

There are two types of hookworm infections: Ancylostoma duodenale & Necator americanus but don’t worry about mixing up their names because we’ll refer them corporately ‘hookworm’. They both function in similar ways – getting inside our bodies by burrowing through our skin (usually via barefoot walking) then secreting harmful enzymes for feeding on intestinal lining tissues; during this process toxic waste products from those creepy crawlies ejected into our digestive system worsening exhaustion alongside bloody fecal matter resulting from hemorrhagic wounds all along intestinal track.

How Do I “Get” Hookworms?

Well… most commonly they find their way through contaminated soil or food due lack of proper hygiene measures such as thorough hand-washing after playing outside or consuming undercooked meat/raw vegetables carrying eggs attached externally.. therefore potentially harboring millions just waiting patiently until transmission finally occurs!

Prevention Is Key

Like the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”, it’s no different with hookworm. Prevention is the first and foremost step you should take in avoiding these pesky parasites altogether.

Wear Shoes

I know I know, some of us love to feel the grass between our toes, but if you’re living or have traveled through a location where hookworm infections are high: then wear shoes! This will greatly help reduce your risk of getting infected by those soil-dwelling bugs

Practice Good Hygiene

Proper sanitation has been found to be a simple but critical solution when it comes to ensuring prevention from Hookworm infection. Make sure after playing outside/working on garden areas interacting otherwise with sandy/clay soil; rinse hands repeatedly using clean water & soap. In cases where greywater runoff irrigates crops/grazing pastures, may become necessary wear protective clothing (including gloves) coated w/ plastic as hookup eggs can persist within surface contamination weeks even months long lasting.

Treatment Options

Typically once someone has been infected with Hookworm symptoms appear anywhere between one and two weeks. While typically mild discomfort at its onset becomes much worse overtime requiring immediate medical attention issues such as iron deficiency anemia which could lead organ failure or other serious conditions associated severely reduced immunity inherent drawback probably from malnutrition exposure also developing inside human body upon unfavorable pH properties favoring them increasing survival chances via expansion further upstream passage across adjacent internal organs spreads uncontrollably throughout circulatory system displaying manifestations hematuria visible hemorrhages excessive weight loss prolonged bleeding tendencies fibrosis ultimately impairing systems efficacious function – looks like there’s really no subtle way we could express this occurrence is turning into life-threatening scenario!

Medications

Medication that targets both types of Hookworms include Albendazole (“Albenza”), Mebendazole (“Emverm”) and Pyrantel pamoate (“Reese’s Pin Worm Medicine”). These medicines work by killing off the worms thru prevention DNA synthesis which then forces them to die off naturally. Remember, it is critical if you believe you have Hookworm infection go see a medical professional ASAP! Medicines need be taken under the guidance of licensed doctor only who after proper examination & diagnosis suggest medication courses that are safe and effective healing.

Iron Supplements

Also since hookworms using our own blood for ‘food’, iron deficiency commonly occurs in people infected with these nasties. Thus Ferrous sulfate (‘FeSO4’) supplements and higher protein diets may be advisable offer boosting hemoglobin levels restoring energy natural at-rate prescribed regimen assisted through dietary chart prepared by certified experts such as registered dietitian or experienced nutritionist ensure appropriate intake follows custom meal plan according personal needs/preferences lifestyle sensibilities etc where added Fe (iron) included into recommended list for improving immune function overall vitality.

Conclusion

So there you have it folks, an easy peasy breakdown on what hookworms are, how they can infect us and what we can do to treat/prevent this pesky infectious disease becoming lethal affliction perpetuating fatigue bloody stool/urine vomiting severe malnutrition due animalistic food appetite exhaustively accompanying permeated gut inflammation resulting apparently from attachment site haemorrhages digestive tract ulceration months fighting through remedies complications from reaching major organs compromising individual’s life expectancy reduced quality over time remaining alive..

Once again it’s important to remember prevention is your first line of defense and always consult with a physician before starting medication treatment. Hope this article provided valuable insights leading towards fulfilling healthy living standards free from unwanted infections!

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