Pinworms

Two unpleasantries that one may encounter soon after making Aliyah are pinworm and lice infections. Both of these entities are common and contagious. Many assume that these infections are reserved for people of a low socio-economic status however this is not true. Our children live, learn and play in a densely populated area and the infectively rate is high with both pinworm and lice.

PINWORM

Pinworm is an intestinal infection caused by parasitic worms transmitted from person to person. Pinworm infections are contagious and spread through transmission of their eggs. The eggs pass into the digestive system and hatch in the small intestine. From the small intestine, pinworm eggs travel to the large intestine. After a person ingests the pinworm eggs it takes 1-2 months for the adult female pinworms to migrate from the large intestine to the area around the rectum. There, they will lay new pinworm eggs, which cause itching around the rectum. This is usually the time when we realize that a child is infected with pinworm.
After scratching the anus, pinworm eggs are transferred to a child’s fingers and fingernails. Contaminated fingers can then carry pinworm eggs to the mouth, where they are re-ingested, or to various surfaces, where they can live for 2 to 3 weeks. Children become infected by ingesting pinworm eggs that can be found on toilets, towels, bedding, contaminated clothing and sandboxes.

Many times a child can have a pinworm infection initially without having any symptoms. The most common symptoms is anal itching which causes a child to wake up from sleep. The itching is worse at night and is caused by worms migrating to the rectum to lay their eggs. In girls, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a vaginal discharge which may lead to the need of antibiotics. Abdominal pain and nausea are less common symptoms but can occur if there are a lot of pinworms in the intestines.

If your child has a pinworm infection, you can see worms in the anal region, especially if you look about 2 or 3 hours after your child has fallen asleep. You might also see the worms in the toilet after he or she goes to the bathroom. They look like tiny pieces of white thread the length of a staple.

An easy way to diagnose pinworm at home is to either visualize the anus when your child wakes up from sleep by placing a piece of clear tape against your child’s anus. Pinworm eggs and worms will stick to the tape and in the morning will be able to be visualized.

If your child has a pinworm infection, you will receive a prescription for Vermox that is given one dose now and a repeated dose in 10 days. Many times the decision is made to treat all members of the family, especially if it is a recurrent infection. Vermox will rid the body the worms but the itching can persist for another week.

Preventative measures against getting pinworm include frequent hand washing, cleaning sheets and pajamas on a regular basis and routinely keeping fingernails short. Once pinworms are visualized it is important to wash the child’s pajamas, bedding and underwear in hot water and clean under their nails.