Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis refers to infection by parasitic worms, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. These infections are common in warm, humid conditions where exposure to contaminated soil or water makes transmission easy, particularly in rural areas.
Key points
- Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms are the main parasitic worms responsible for this infection.
- One dose or a short course of albendazole clears most worm infections by acting against a wide range of intestinal parasites.
- Blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or symptoms that persist after treatment warrant a doctor’s review, since some worm infections need a different approach.
How worm infections are treated
Most helminth infections respond well to a short course of antiparasitic medicine. Albendazole is the most widely used treatment, effective against a broad range of intestinal worms and often taken as a single dose or short course depending on the specific parasite.
See a doctor if you notice blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms that persist after treatment, as some infections (such as tapeworm cysts or liver flukes) require a different approach.