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Learn more about the common parasites which call the human body home (and their pets). Research about the parasite life-cycles and the stages of their development in the body.
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Jun 13, 2024 · Overview. The whipworm parasite, Trichuris trichiura, is a soil-transmitted helminth. The larvae (immature worms) and adult forms of the parasite live in a person's intestines. People get whipworms by consuming contaminated soil. Globally, whipworms infect an estimated 429 – 508 million people.
- Overview
- What Are the Symptoms of a Whipworm Infection?
- What Causes a Whipworm Infection?
- What Are the Risk Factors for a Whipworm Infection?
- How Is a Whipworm Infection Diagnosed?
- How Is a Whipworm Infection Treated?
- What Is the Outlook for Someone with a Whipworm Infection?
- How Can a Whipworm Infection Be Prevented?
What Is a Whipworm Infection?
A whipworm infection, also known as trichuriasis, is an infection of the large intestine caused by a parasite called Trichuris trichiura. This parasite is commonly known as a “whipworm” because it resembles a whip.
A whipworm infection can develop after ingesting water or dirt contaminated with feces containing whipworm parasites. Anyone who has come into contact with contaminated feces can also contract a whipworm infection. The infection most often occurs in children. It is also more common in people who live in regions with hot, humid climates and in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation.
Approximately 600 to 800 million people around the world have a whipworm infection. This type of infection can also occur in animals, including cats and dogs.
A whipworm infection can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. They may include the following:
•bloody diarrhea
•painful or frequent defecation
•abdominal pain
•nausea
•vomiting
A whipworm infection is caused by a parasite called Trichuris trichiura. This parasite is also known as a “whipworm” because it is shaped like a whip. It has a thick section on one end that resembles the whip handle, and a narrow section on the other end that looks like the whip.
People typically get whipworm infections after consuming dirt or water contaminated with feces containing whipworm parasites or their eggs. Whipworm eggs can get into the soil when contaminated feces are used in fertilizers or when an infected person or animal defecates outside.
Someone might unknowingly ingest the whipworm parasites or their eggs when they:
•touch the dirt and then put their hands or fingers in or near their mouth
•eat fruits or vegetables that haven’t been thoroughly washed, cooked, or peeled
Once they reach the small intestine, whipworm eggs hatch and release larvae. When the larvae mature, the adult worms live in the large intestine. The female worms usually begin to deposit eggs about two months later. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the females shed between 3,000 and 20,000 eggs per day.
A whipworm infection can occur in anyone. However, people may be more likely to contract a whipworm infection if they:
•live in a region with a hot, humid climate
•live in an area with poor sanitation and hygiene practices
•work in an industry where they come into contact with soil that contains manure
•eat raw vegetables that are grown in soil fertilized with manure
Children also have a higher risk of getting a whipworm infection. They often play outdoors and might not wash their hands thoroughly before eating.
To diagnose a whipworm infection, your doctor will order a stool test. You will be required to give a sample of your feces to a lab for testing. The stool test can determine whether there are whipworms or whipworm eggs in your intestines and feces.
This type of test shouldn’t cause any discomfort or pain. Your doctor will give you a sterile container and a kit containing plastic wrap and special bathroom tissue. Place the plastic wrap loosely over the toilet bowl and make sure it’s held in place by the toilet seat. After you have a bowel movement, use the special tissue to put the stool into the container. For infants, the diaper can be lined with the plastic wrap to collect the sample. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after the test.
The most common and effective treatment for a whipworm infection is an antiparasitic medication, such as albendazole and mebendazole. This type of medication gets rid of any whipworms and whipworm eggs in the body. The medication usually needs to be taken for one to three days. Side effects are minimal.
Once your symptoms subside, your doctor may want to perform another stool test to make sure the infection is gone.
Most people who receive treatment for a whipworm infection make a full recovery. When left untreated, however, the infection can become severe and cause complications. These include:
•delayed growth or cognitive development
•infections in the colon and appendix
•rectal prolapse, which occurs when a section of the large intestine protrudes from the anus
To reduce your risk of contracting a whipworm infection, you should:
•Wash your hands thoroughly, especially before handling food.
•Wash, peel, or cook foods thoroughly before eating them.
•Teach children not to eat soil and to wash their hands after playing outdoors.
•Boil or purify drinking water that may be contaminated.
•Avoid contact with soil contaminated with fecal matter.
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Apr 28, 2024 · Learn about whipworm infection, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Whipworm infection, also known as trichuriasis, is a common parasitic infection that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by the whipworm parasite, which primarily resides in the large intestine. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of whipworm infection, including how it is ...
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Aug 14, 2023 · Trichuris trichiura, also known as the human whipworm, is a roundworm that causes trichuriasis in humans. It is referred to as the whipworm because it looks like a whip with wide handles at the posterior end. The whipworm has a narrow anterior esophagus and a thick posterior anus. The worms are usually pink and attach to the host via the slender anterior end. The size of these worms varies ...
- 2023/08/14
Jan 1, 2018 · Whipworm. Whipworm is ingested with contaminated food or water and develops in the bowel lumen. The worm lives in the human caecum; there is no extraintestinal migration. It is not infective immediately it reaches the soil - i.e. the infection cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Instead there is a period during which the larva ...
Mebendazole, albendazole, or ivermectin, taken by mouth, is used to treat whipworm infection. Mebendazole taken twice daily for 3 days is preferred for heavy infections. Albendazole or ivermectin taken once a day for 3 days is an alternative. Usually, none of these drugs is given to pregnant women because these drugs can harm the fetus.
May 28, 2020 · Studies on immunity to human whipworm and roundworm infections have generated interesting immune correlates with resistance to reinfection; however, it is through the use of animal models, and ...
