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What is it about ?
Trichuris trichiura is the name of a nematode (a kind of roundworm) 3 to 5 cm long. It is a parasite that can live in the human intestine. Trichocephalosis is the infection caused by trichuris. The adult worm lives in the large intestine and lays its eggs there. These eggs are found outside through the stool, where they mature after 2 to 3 weeks. Contamination occurs by eating vegetables fertilized with human feces or drinking drinking water contaminated with feces.
Where and how often does it occur?
Infection with the worm is very common in the tropics and subtropics. Worldwide, it is estimated that 800 million people are carriers.
How to recognize it?
The disease usually begins after traveling to a tropical or subtropical country. The person does not have symptoms until there are too many worms in the intestine. If they are more numerous, especially in children, pain in the stomach, weight loss and sometimes anemia are possible.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is made after a microscopic examination of the stool that allows the eggs of the worms to be seen. Adult worms may also be found there.
What can you do ?
Prevention is essential. If you are traveling to a country where the parasite is present, do not eat raw vegetables and use only bottled water. Always wash your hands well after using the toilet. Different medicines for worms are available on the internet, but never start treatment on your own, without being certain of the diagnosis and without a doctor’s prescription.
What can your doctor do?
The doctor will prescribe mebendazole tablets (100 mg) (a deworming medicine), 2 per day to be taken for 3 days. The treatment is very effective, but does not prevent re-infection on further exposure. Children under 2 years old receive an appropriate dose. The stool is checked again three weeks after treatment to make sure that there are no worms at all.
Want to know more?
- Healthy travel – IMT – Institute of Tropical Medicine
- Mebendazole – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
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